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NEMA and IEC Enclosure Classifications

NEMA enclosure classifications versus IEC enclosure classifications.

NEMA enclosure classifications are developed by NEMA and used in the U.S./American market.

Ingress Protection - IP - ratings are developed by the European Committee for Electro Technical Standardization (CENELEC) (described IEC/EN 60529), and specifies the environmental protection and enclosure provided.

The table below can be used to convert from NEMA Enclosure Types to IEC Enclosure Types:

NEMA and IEC Enclosure Classifications
NEMA Enclosure TypesIEC Enclosure Classification Designation
1 General Purpose - Indoor IP10 Protected against solid objects up to 50mm, e.g. accidental touch by hands.
2 Drip-Proof - Indoor IP11 Protected against solid objects up to 50mm, e.g. accidental touch by hands.
Protection against vertically falling drops of water e.g. condensation.
3 Dust-tight, Rain-tight, Sleet-tight - Outdoor IP54 Protected against dust limited ingress (no harmful deposit).
Protection against water sprayed from all directions, limited ingress permitted.
3R Rain-tight, Sleet Resistant- Outdoor IP14 Protected against solid objects up to 50mm, e.g. accidental touch by hands.
Protection against water sprayed from all directions, limited ingress permitted.
3S Dust-tight, Rain-tight, Sleet-tight- Outdoor IP54 Protected against dust limited ingress (no harmful deposit).
Protection against water sprayed from all directions, limited ingress permitted.
4 Water-tight, Dust-tight, Sleet Resistant-Indoor & Outdoor IP56 Protected against dust limited ingress (no harmful deposit).
4X Water-tight, Dust-tight, Corrosion-Resistant- Indoor & Outdoor IP56 Protected against dust limited ingress (no harmful deposit).
5 Dust-tight, Drip-Proof--Indoor IP52 Protected against dust limited ingress (no harmful deposit).
Protection against direct sprays of water up to 15o from the vertical.
6 Occasionally Submersible, Watertight, Sleet Resistant- Indoor & Outdoor IP67 Totally protected against dust.
Protected against the effect of immersion between 15cm and 1m.
6P Water-tight, Sleet Resistant- Prolonged Submersion- Indoor & Outdoor IP67 Totally protected against dust.
Protected against the effect of immersion between 15cm and 1m.
12 Dust-tight and Drip-tight- Indoor IP52 Protected against dust limited ingress (no harmful deposit).
Protection against direct sprays of water up to 15o from the vertical.
12K Dust-tight and Drip-tight, with Knockouts- Indoor IP52 Protected against dust limited ingress (no harmful deposit).
Protection against direct sprays of water up to 15o from the vertical.
13 Oil-tight and Dust-tight- Indoor IP54 Protected against dust limited ingress (no harmful deposit).
Protection against water sprayed from all directions, limited ingress permitted.

Note! NEMA standards meets or exceeds IEC standards. The conversion does not work in the opposite direction.

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