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Guide to Selecting the Right Enclosures for Industrial Power Systems: Part 1

The National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) is an industry organization that brings together electrical experts, engineers, scientists, business leaders, and technicians to develop standards for electrical equipment. These standards include specifications for electrical enclosures, which are designed to protect electrical components from environmental elements and people from electrical shock.


The specific environmental resistance and protection level of an enclosure depend on its NEMA rating. All electrical enclosures must be installed in accordance with the National Electrical Code® (NEC) and relevant local regulations. The NEMA enclosure type ratings are developed through consensus among industry professionals to define the use, location, and protection levels required for various applications.


Currently, NEMA defines 13 main enclosure types and 8 additional subtypes, with each rating indicating its level of protection. This guide outlines the NEMA enclosure types rated for non-hazardous locations (Types 1-6, 12, and 13) and provides criteria for selecting the appropriate enclosure based on environmental factors, safety standards, and industry-specific needs.


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Enclosures for Non-Hazardous Locations (Types 1-6 & 12-13)


NEMA enclosure types are rated according to their usage and location, with the rating indicating what they protect against. Below is a detailed guide to each type of NEMA enclosure rated for non-hazardous locations.


NEMA 1


Details: This is a general purpose enclosure designed for indoor use under normal atmospheric conditions. It protects against exposure to hazardous parts and provides limited protection from falling dust, dirt, and light splashes, but it is not dust-tight.


Uses: Commonly used in commercial applications for junctions, switches, or in dry utility rooms.


NEMA 2


Details: Also intended for indoor use, but with additional protection against the entry of foreign objects such as dirt and dust. Type 2 enclosures are drip-tight, offering limited protection against light splashing or dripping, but are not fully waterproof.


Uses: Ideal for environments with steam, humidity, or condensation, such as laundry rooms or areas where products are water-cooled in production processes.


NEMA 3


Details: Suitable for both indoor and outdoor use, providing protection against environmental elements like rain, sleet, snow, and ice. The enclosure also protects against falling dirt and windblown dust (except for Type 3R).


Uses: Common in outdoor applications such as construction sites, subways, tunnels, and ship docks.


NEMA Type 3R


Details: Similar to Type 3 but designed for environments where the enclosure may be ventilated. It offers protection against rain and snow but does not protect against sleet or allow operation under ice cover.


Uses: Often used for telecommunications equipment, power distribution units, or outdoor lighting systems in non-icy environments.


NEMA Type 3S


Details: Designed for both indoor and outdoor use in environments where the enclosure must remain operable during freezing conditions. Offers protection against windblown dust, lint, fibers, and flyings.


Uses: Often used for service or local control equipment in environments where freezing conditions may occur.


NEMA 3X, 3RX, 3SX


Details: These enclosures provide the same protections as Type 3 but with added resistance to corrosive substances (e.g., chemicals or salt).


Uses: Common in industrial environments, especially those using cleaning chemicals, as well as marine environments, such as dockside or offshore oil rigs.


NEMA 4 enclosure

NEMA 4


Details: Designed for both indoor and outdoor use, these enclosures are waterproof and can withstand a direct hose stream (up to 65 gallons per minute through a 1-inch nozzle) for five minutes at a distance of 10 feet or less.


Uses: Ideal for industrial plants where equipment is often cleaned with hoses, such as in abattoirs, dairies, or breweries.



NEMA Type 4X


Details: Like Type 4 but with added protection against corrosive materials, making them suitable for harsher environments.


Uses: Commonly used in environments where both wet conditions and chemical exposure are prevalent, such as wastewater treatment plants, paper manufacturing, and oil and gas industries.


NEMA Type 5


Details: A dust-tight enclosure that provides protection against the entry of foreign objects such as dust, lint, and fibers. It is designed for dry environments and offers protection only against dripping or light splashing of liquids.


Uses: Typically used in dusty industrial environments, such as steel mills, textile production, lime crushing, or cement plants.


NEMA Type 6


Details: These enclosures are waterproof and can be submerged to a depth of 6 feet for up to 30 minutes. They provide the same protection as Type 3 enclosures, plus protection against submersion.


Uses: Suitable for applications where equipment may be temporarily submerged, such as in wastewater treatment plants, mining operations, or dockside facilities.


NEMA Type 6P


Details: Designed for prolonged submersion in water or oil, rated for up to 24 hours at 6 feet depth. These enclosures also provide resistance to corrosive materials.


Uses: Ideal for oil and gas industries, quarries, and areas with chemical runoff such as processing plants.


NEMA 12 enclosure

NEMA Type 12


Details: Designed for indoor use, these enclosures protect against settling dust, lint, and fibers, as well as dripping or light splashing of non-corrosive liquids like oils or coolants. Not rated for rain or snow protection.


Uses: Common in dry, industrial environments, such as assembly lines and factory floors.



NEMA Type 12K


Details: Similar to Type 12 but includes knockouts for easy installation of cables or equipment, while still offering the same protection against dust and liquids.


Uses: Often used in light industrial settings, particularly for control panels that require flexibility for cable or antenna insertion.


NEMA Type 13


Details: Designed for indoor industrial use, these enclosures protect against falling dirt, dust, and other foreign objects. They also provide some protection against spraying water and dripping non-corrosive liquids.


Uses: Common in electrical and electronic equipment used in manufacturing, pharmaceutical facilities, and the food and beverage industry.


Enercon control panel

Conclusion


NEMA standards for enclosures are developed by a consensus of industry professionals to establish minimum requirements for protecting both equipment and personnel. While all NEMA enclosures offer protection from hazardous components inside, the specific level of environmental protection required depends on factors such as location, humidity, dust exposure, and potential contact with liquids.


In this post, we've covered the NEMA enclosure types for non-hazardous environments. In our next post, we will dive into the remaining types (7-10) for hazardous locations. For assistance in selecting the right enclosure for your industrial power systems, contact our team of experts.

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