NEMA (National Electrical Manufacturers Association) Certification
For various grades of Electrical Enclosures that are used in Industry in North America , NEMA defines standard in which enclosure are rated to provide protection against environmentalism Hazards like dust, water, oil or coolant.
Note:
- There is no standard sizes for NEMA Enclosures. The NEMA 250 standard provides construction, test requirement, but manufacturer design their own Enclosures.
- NEMA do not manufacture or sell enclosures.
- NEMA standards are optional. NEMA neither test products nor certify that the product comply NEMA standard. For example: a manufacturer can choose self certify that enclosure meets NEMA 250 standard or can go for third party verification.
- Enclosures that meet the requirements for more than one type of rating can be identified by a combination of type numbers – the smaller number being given first. The designation may include a combination of indoor, outdoor, hazardous location, and non-hazardous location ratings if they apply to the enclosure in question.
Types of enclosures
| Enclosure Type | Description | Degree of protection From | Image |
| Type 1 | 1. Indoor Use 2. General Purpose (Not Exposed To Unusual Conditions)
| l Falling Dirt
|  |
| Type 2 | Indoor Use | l Falling Dirt l Dripping Non-Corrosive Liquid l Light Splashing of Non-Corrosive Liquid |
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| Type 3 | 1. Indoor Use 2. Outdoor Use | l Falling Dirt, Rain, Sleet, and Snow l Windblown Dust Undamaged by the External Formation of Ice. |
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| Type 3R | 1. Indoor Use 2. Out door Use | l Falling Dirt, Rain, Sleet, and Snow
Not Dustproof, Snowproof, or Sleetproof. Undamaged by the External Formation of Ice
|  |
| Type 3S | 1. Indoor Use 2. Out door Use | l Falling Dirt, Rain, Sleet, Snow, and Windblown Dust External Mechanism(s) remain Operable When Ice Laden
|  |
| Type 4 | 1. Indoor Use 2. Out door Use | l Windblown Dust and Rain l Splashing Water l Hose Directed Water Undamaged by the External Formation of Ice
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| Type 4X | 1. Indoor Use 2. Out door Use | l Windblown Dust and Rain l Splashing Water l Hose Directed Water l Damage from External Ice Formation l Corrosion Resistive
|  |
| Type 5 | Indoor Use | l Falling Dirt, Settling Airborne Dust, Lint, Fibers, and Flyings l Dripping and Light Splashing of Noncorrosive Liquids
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| Type 6 | 1. Indoor Use 2. Out door Use | l Falling Dirt l Hose Directed Water l Damage From External Ice Formation l Entry of Water During Occasional Temporary Submersion at a Limited Depth
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| Type 7 | Indoor use in locations classified as Class I, Groups A, B, C, or D, as defined in the NEC®. | Protection against Hazardous Location atmospheres containing Gases and Vapors.
|  Type 7 |
| Type 8 | Indoor or Outdoor use in locations classified as Class I, Groups A, B, C, or D, as defined in the NEC®.
| l Protection against Hazardous Location atmospheres containing Gases and Vapors. l Arcing contacts, connections, … are immersed in oil in order to confine ignition source. l | |
| Type 9 | Indoor use in locations classified as Class II, Groups E, F, or G, as defined in the NEC®.
| l Protection against Hazardous Location atmospheres containing Dust.
|  Type 9 |
| Type 10 | Capable of meeting the requirements of the (MSHA) Mine Safety and Health Administration, 30 C.F.R., Part 18. | ||
| Type 12 | Indoor use | l Circulating Dust l Falling Dirt l Dripping Non corrosive Liquid l Circulating Lint, Fibers and Flyings (Nonhazardous and not considered Class III Type ignitable fibers or flyings)
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| Type 13 | 1. Indoor Use 2. Outdoor Use | l Dust l Spraying of Water, Oil, and Noncorrosive Coolant l Oil and Coolant Seepage
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Conversion of NEMA Types to IEC IP Designations
Conversion of NEMA Types to IEC IP Designations