NEMA 1: NEMA 1 enclosures are designed for indoor use and provide protection against human contact with electrically charged, live electrical parts. It also protects the equipment from falling debris (dirt).
NEMA 2: A NEMA 2 enclosure is, for all intents and purposes, the same as a NEMA 1 enclosure. However, a NEMA 2 rating offers additional protection including protection from light dripping or splashing of water (drip-proof).
NEMA 3R, 3RX: NEMA 3R and 3RX enclosures are designed for indoor or outdoor use and protect against rain, sleet, snow, and dirt, and prevent the formation of ice on its enclosure.
NEMA 3, 3X: NEMA 3 and 3X enclosures are rain-tight, sleet-tight, and dust-tight and are made for both indoor and outdoor applications. NEMA 3 and 3X designate added protection against dust beyond a NEMA 3R or 3RX enclosure.
NEMA 3S, 3SX: NEMA 3S and NEMA 3SX enclosures benefit from the same protection as a NEMA 3, however, they provide protection when ice forms on the enclosure and will remain operable when covered in ice.
NEMA 4, 4X: NEMA 4 and NEMA 4X enclosures are intended for indoor or outdoor use and provide the same protections as a NEMA 3 enclosure with additional protection against water ingress and/or hose-directed water. So, if you need to clean off your NEMA 4 enclosure, you don’t have to worry about water damaging your electrical components.
NEMA 6, 6P: Offering the same protection as a NEMA 4 enclosure, NEMA 6 offers protection from temporary or prolonged (6P NEMA rating) water submersion up to a designated depth.
NEMA 7: Also built for hazardous locations, a NEMA 7 enclosure is explosion-proof and made for indoor use (built for hazardous locations).
NEMA 8: Offering the same protection as a NEMA 7 enclosure, the NEMA 8 can be used both indoors and outdoors (built for hazardous locations).
NEMA 9: NEMA 9 enclosures are dust-ignition-proof and intended for indoor use in hazardous locations.
NEMA 10: NEMA 10 enclosures meet MSHA (Mine Safety and Health Administration) standards.
NEMA 12, 12K: NEMA 12 and NEMA 12K enclosures are intended for general-purpose indoor use. The NEMA 12 and 12K enclosures protect against dripping and splashing water, are rust-resistant, and do not include knockouts (partially punched openings that can be removed to accommodate cables, connectors, and/or conduits).
NEMA 13: NEMA 13 enclosures are for general purpose, indoor use. They provide the same protection as the NEMA 12 enclosures, but with added protection against dripping and/or sprayed oils and coolants.
*Note: An enclosure designated with an “X” indicates a corrosion-resistant rating.
Post time: May-09-2023