Quick Guide to NEMA Enclosure Ratings
What is NEMA?
The National Electrical Manufacturer Association (NEMA), founded in 1926, is an association of electrical equipment and medical imaging manufacturers who develop technical standards found to be in the best interest of the industry. NEMA also provides advocacy for regulatory industrial policies and regularly collects and distributes industry data. Consisting of 350 members, those companies produce power transmission and distribution equipment, lighting systems, industrial automation and controls, and medical diagnostic imaging equipment.
NEMA’s mission as stated on their website is to “Expand market opportunities, remove business barriers and reduce manufacturing costs through development and delivery of consensus-based standards and other intellectual property, effective advocacy, and decision-quality business information and analytics.”
What are NEMA Ratings?
According to ABB, NEMA defines “the types of environments in which an electrical enclosure can be used” and indicates an enclosure’s capacity to endure certain environmental conditions. NEMA ratings are used primarily for fixed enclosures as that is how they are tested. There is a correlation between NEMA and IP ratings but it is generally limited to dust and water.
Types of NEMA Enclosures
Type 1: Indoor use primarily to provide a degree of protection against limited amounts of falling dirt.
Type 2: Indoor use primarily to provide a degree of protection against limited amounts of falling water and dirt.
Type 3: Outdoor use primarily to provide a degree of protection against rain, sleet, wind blown dust and damage from external ice formation.
Type 3R: Outdoor use primarily to provide a degree of protection against rain, sleet, and damage from external ice formation.
Type 3S: Outdoor use primarily to provide a degree of protection against rain, sleet, windblown dust and to provide for operation of external mechanisms when ice laden. Indoor or outdoor use primarily to provide a degree of protection against windblown dust and rain, splashing water, hose-directed water and damage from external ice formation.
Type 4X: Indoor or outdoor use primarily to provide a degree of protection against corrosion, windblown dust and rain, splashing water, hose-directed water, and damage from external ice formation. \
Type 5: Indoor use primarily to provide a degree of protection against settling airborne dust, falling dirt, and dripping non-corrosive liquids.
Type 6: Indoor or outdoor use primarily to provide a degree of protection again hose-directed water, and the entry of water during occasional temporary submersion at a limited depth and damage from external ice formation.
Type 6P: Indoor or outdoor use primarily to provide a degree of protection against hose-directed water, the entry of water during prolonged submersion at a limited depth and damage from external ice formation.
Type 7: Indoor use in locations classified as Class I, Division 1, Groups A, B, C or D hazardous locations as defined in the National Electric Code (NFPA 70) (Commonly referred to as explosion-proof).
Type 8: Indoor or outdoor use in locations classified as Class I, Division 2, Groups A, B, C or D hazardous locations as defined in the National Electric Code (NFPA 70) (commonly referred to as oil immersed).
Type 9: Indoor use in locations classified as Class II, Division 1, Groups E, F and G hazardous locations as defined in the National Electric Code (NFPA 70) (commonly referred to as dust-ignition proof).
Type 10: Intended to meet the applicable requirements of the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA).
Type 12/K: Indoor use primarily to provide a degree of protection against circulating dust, falling dirt, and dripping non-corrosive liquids.
Type 13: Indoor use primarily to provide a degree of protection against dust, spraying of water, oil, and non-corrosive coolant.
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