What is NEMA Certification?

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:

  1. There is no standard sizes for NEMA Enclosures. The NEMA 250 standard provides construction, test requirement, but manufacturer design their own Enclosures.
  2. NEMA do not manufacture or sell enclosures.
  3. 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.
  4. 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 1
Type 2  Indoor Use l Falling Dirt

l Dripping Non-Corrosive Liquid

l Light Splashing of Non-Corrosive Liquid

 

Type 2

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.

 

Type 3

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 3R
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 3S
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

 

 

Type 4

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 4X
Type 5 Indoor Use l Falling Dirt, Settling Airborne Dust, Lint, Fibers, and Flyings

l Dripping and Light Splashing of Noncorrosive Liquids

 

 

Type 5

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

 

 

Type 6

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 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 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 Circulating Dust

 Falling Dirt

 Dripping Non corrosive Liquid

 Circulating Lint, Fibers and Flyings (Nonhazardous and not considered Class III Type ignitable fibers or flyings)

 

 

Type 12

Type 13 1. Indoor Use

2. Outdoor Use

l Dust

l Spraying of Water, Oil, and Noncorrosive Coolant

l Oil and Coolant Seepage

 

 

Type 13

 Conversion of NEMA Types to IEC IP Designations

Conversion of NEMA Types to IEC IP Designations

Conversion of NEMA Types to IEC IP Designations