The National Electrical Manufacturer’s Association (NEMA) standardizes product specifications while establishing performance criteria.
NEMA ratings explain the enclosure’s intended use, from small pushbutton boxes to large, full-sized room enclosures.
This rating system assists customers in buying the correct enclosure for their application to keep electrical components safe based on the cabinet’s environment and type of equipment inside.
The enclosure air conditioner or heater needs to have the same NEMA rating as the electrical enclosure in order to meet NEMA standards for proper protection.
General-purpose and for indoor use. Type 1 provides a degree of protection to the equipment inside the enclosure against the ingress of solid foreign objects, primarily dirt. They also prevent contact with live parts.
Drip-tight and for indoor use. Similar to Type 1 with the addition of drip shields, Type 2 provides a degree of protection against limited amounts of dirt and light exposure to water, like dripping or splashing.
Weather-resistant and for outdoor use. Type 3 provides a degree of protection against rain, sleet, wind-blown dust, and damage from ice forming on the exterior of the enclosure.
Similar to type 3, type 3R is weather-resistant and for outdoor use. They provide a degree of protection from rain, sleet, and damage from ice forming on the exterior of the enclosure. There is no mention of this in the standard. However, typically there is no gasketing on 3R enclosures.
Like type 3, type 3S is weather-resistant and for outdoor use. They provide a degree of protection against rain, sleet, wind-blown dust, and they also provide for the operation of external mechanisms even when the enclosure is ice laden.
The addition of the “X” indicates corrosion protection.
Watertight and for outdoor use. Type 4 provides a degree of protection against rain, sleet, wind-blown dust, splashing/hose-directed water, and damage from ice forming on the exterior of the enclosure.
Type 4X provides the same protection as type 4 with the addition of corrosion protection.
Dust-tight and for indoor use. Type 5 provided with gaskets or equivalent to exclude dust.
Submersible for indoor or outdoor use. Type 6 provides a degree of protection against hose-directed water and the ingress of water during occasional temporary submersion at a limited depth and damage from ice forming on the exterior of the enclosure.
Like type 6, submersible and for indoor or outdoor use. Type 6P provides a degree of protection against hose-directed water and the ingress of water during prolonged submersion at a limited depth and damage from ice forming on the exterior of the enclosure.
For indoor use in Class I, Division 1, Groups A, B, C, or D hazardous locations according to the National Electric Code (NFPA 70), this is also referred to as explosion-proof.
For indoor or outdoor use in Class I, Division 2, Groups A, B, C, or D hazardous locations according to NFPA 70, this is also referred to as oil immersed.
For indoor use in Class II, Division 1, Groups E, F, and G hazardous locations according to NFPA 70, this is also referred to as dust-ignition proof.
These enclosures are intended to meet the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA), 30 CFR Part 18 (1978).
General-purpose. Type 11 protects against the corrosive effects of liquids and gases. Meets drip and corrosion-resistance tests.
General-purpose and for indoor use. Type 12 provides a degree of protection against the ingress of falling dirt and circulating dust, lint, fibers, and dripping non-corrosive liquids. Despite its large number, this enclosure provides basic levels of protection.
Dust-tight, drip-tight and for indoor use. Type 12K enclosures are intended for use indoors to protect the enclosed equipment against fibers, flying, lint, dust and dirt, and light splashing, seepage, dripping, and external condensation of noncorrosive liquids.
General-purpose and for indoor use. Type 13 provides a degree of protection against dust, spraying water, oil, and non-corrosive coolants.
Still unsure of which enclosure and associated equipment will fit your needs?
Needs vary so much from application to application it is hard to determine what will work best.
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