What do the NEMA enclosure numbers mean?
What do NEMA Enclosure Ratings Mean?
NEMA stands for National Electric Manufacturers Association. They have developed a set of standards for enclosures which house electrical components. We will outline 3 common types of enclosures.
NEMA-4 – Gasketed door enclosure intended for indoor or outdoor use primarily to provide a degree of protection against windblown dust and rain, splashing water, and hose directed water; undamaged by ice which forms on the enclosure.
NEMA-4X – Gasketed door enclosure intended for indoor or outdoor use primarily to provide a degree of protection against corrosion, windblown dust and rain, splashing water, and hose directed water; undamaged by ice which forms on the enclosure. This is the most common enclosure in “food” environments. Commonly made from stainless steel.
Instead of writing multiple pages concerning the explanation of these numbers, here is a chart:
