NEMA Enclosure Ratings
NEMA enclosure ratings are a North American classification system, published by the National Electrical Manufacturers Association, that describes the degree of protection an electrical enclosure provides against environmental conditions. Ratings such as NEMA 12 indicate protection against dust, falling dirt and dripping liquids in indoor industrial settings.
Key Takeaways
NEMA ratings classify the environmental protection provided by electrical enclosures.
They are published by the National Electrical Manufacturers Association in North America.
NEMA 12 indicates protection against dust, falling dirt and dripping non corrosive liquids indoors.
They are broadly comparable to IP ratings but defined by different test conditions.
NEMA enclosure ratings describe how well an enclosure protects its contents and personnel against conditions such as dust, water, oil and corrosion. Different numbers and suffixes correspond to specific indoor or outdoor environments.
NEMA 12 enclosures are intended for indoor use and protect against dust, falling dirt and dripping liquids, while higher ratings add protection against hose directed water, corrosion or hazardous locations. The system covers a wide range of industrial needs.
NEMA ratings and IP ratings both describe ingress protection, but NEMA also considers factors such as corrosion and construction. There is no exact one to one conversion, although approximate equivalences are commonly used.
Rugged enclosures, panel PCs and industrial computers destined for North American facilities frequently quote a NEMA rating, giving engineers a familiar measure of environmental suitability for the installation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Dust, falling dirt and dripping non corrosive liquids in indoor industrial environments.
No. Both describe ingress protection, but they use different tests and NEMA also considers factors such as corrosion, so conversions are only approximate.
The National Electrical Manufacturers Association in the United States.
Primarily in North America, to classify the environmental protection of electrical enclosures and equipment.
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