NEMA Enclosure Types and IP Equivalents
Choose a NEMA enclosure type to see what it protects against and the IP rating it is generally considered to meet, with the full NEMA 250 type list.
NEMA enclosure types
| Type | Location | Protection | IP (minimum) |
|---|---|---|---|
| NEMA 1 | Indoor | Protection against contact and falling dirt | IP10 |
| NEMA 2 | Indoor | Adds protection against dripping and light splashing water | IP11 |
| NEMA 3 | Indoor or outdoor | Rain, sleet, snow, windblown dust; undamaged by external ice | IP54 |
| NEMA 3R | Indoor or outdoor | Rain, sleet, snow; undamaged by external ice (no dust protection) | IP14 |
| NEMA 3S | Indoor or outdoor | As Type 3, and external mechanisms stay operable when ice laden | IP54 |
| NEMA 4 | Indoor or outdoor | Windblown dust and rain, splashing and hose directed water | IP66 |
| NEMA 4X | Indoor or outdoor | As Type 4, plus corrosion resistance | IP66 |
| NEMA 5 | Indoor | Settling airborne dust, lint, fibres; dripping and light splashing water | IP52 |
| NEMA 6 | Indoor or outdoor | Hose directed water and temporary submersion at limited depth | IP67 |
| NEMA 6P | Indoor or outdoor | As Type 6, plus prolonged submersion at limited depth | IP68 |
| NEMA 7 | Indoor | Hazardous locations, Class I Division 1 gases (explosion proof) | n/a |
| NEMA 8 | Indoor or outdoor | Hazardous locations, Class I, oil immersed equipment | n/a |
| NEMA 9 | Indoor | Hazardous locations, Class II combustible dusts | n/a |
| NEMA 10 | Mining | Meets MSHA requirements for mines | n/a |
| NEMA 12 | Indoor | Circulating dust, lint, fibres; dripping and light splashing non corrosive liquids | IP52 |
| NEMA 12K | Indoor | As Type 12, with knockouts | IP52 |
| NEMA 13 | Indoor | Dust, lint; spraying, splashing and seepage of oil and non corrosive coolants | IP54 |
NEMA and IP Are Not Interchangeable
NEMA 250 enclosure types include tests that IEC 60529 does not, such as corrosion, icing, oil and gasket ageing. A NEMA type can therefore be said to meet or exceed the listed IP code, but an IP rated enclosure cannot automatically be called a NEMA type.
Worked example
A stainless steel transmitter housing on a food plant washdown line needs hose down and corrosion resistance: NEMA 4X, which also satisfies an IP66 requirement.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a NEMA 4X enclosure?
An indoor or outdoor enclosure protected against windblown dust, rain, splashing and hose directed water, and also corrosion resistant, usually stainless steel or plastic.
What is the IP equivalent of NEMA 4X?
It is generally accepted to meet IP66, but the reverse is not true because NEMA adds corrosion and other tests.
What is the difference between NEMA 12 and NEMA 4?
NEMA 12 is for indoor use against dust and dripping liquids; NEMA 4 adds hose directed water and outdoor use.
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