NEMA Enclosure Types

The purpose of this document is to provide general information on the definitions of NEMA Enclosure Types to architects, engineers, installers, inspectors and other interested parties. [For more detailed and complete information, NEMA Standards Pu lication !"#$!##%, & Enclosures for Electrical Equipment (1000 Volts Maximum) ' should e consulted. This Standards Pu lication as (ell as all other NEMA pu lications are availa le from )*S + ,## ,"-$./.0 or http122(((.glo al.ihs.com3 Definitions [from NEMA 250-2003] )n Non$*a4ardous 5ocations, the specific enclosure Types, their applications, and the environmental conditions they are designed to protect against, when completely and properly installed, are as follo(s1 Type 1 Enclosures constructed for indoor use to provide a degree of protection to personnel against access to ha4ardous parts and to provide a degree of protection of the e6uipment inside the enclosure against ingress of solid foreign o 7ects 8falling dirt9. Type 2 Enclosures constructed for indoor use to provide a degree of protection to personnel against access to ha4ardous parts: to provide a degree of protection of the e6uipment inside the enclosure against ingress of solid foreign o 7ects 8falling dirt9: and to provide a degree of protection (ith respect to harmful effects on the e6uipment due to the ingress of (ater 8dripping and light splashing9. Type 3 Enclosures constructed for either indoor or outdoor use to provide a degree of protection to personnel against access to ha4ardous parts: to provide a degree of protection of the e6uipment inside the enclosure against ingress of solid foreign o 7ects 8falling dirt and (ind lo(n dust9: to provide a degree of protection (ith respect to harmful effects on the e6uipment due to the ingress of (ater 8rain, sleet, sno(9: and that (ill e undamaged y the e;ternal formation of ice on the enclosure. Type 3R Enclosures constructed for either indoor or outdoor use to provide a degree of protection to personnel against access to ha4ardous parts: to provide a degree of protection of the e6uipment inside the enclosure against ingress of solid foreign o 7ects 8falling dirt9: to provide a degree of protection (ith respect to harmful effects on the e6uipment due to the ingress of (ater 8rain, sleet, sno(9: and that (ill e undamaged y the e;ternal formation of ice on the enclosure.

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NEMA Enclosure +ypes

Type 3 Enclosures constructed for either indoor or outdoor use to provide a degree of protection to personnel against access to ha4ardous parts: to provide a degree of protection of the e6uipment inside the enclosure against ingress of solid foreign o 7ects 8falling dirt and (ind lo(n dust9: to provide a degree of protection (ith respect to harmful effects on the e6uipment due to the ingress of (ater 8rain, sleet, sno(9: and for (hich the e;ternal mechanism8s9 remain opera le (hen ice laden. Type 3! Enclosures constructed for either indoor or outdoor use to provide a degree of protection to personnel against access to ha4ardous parts: to provide a degree of protection of the e6uipment inside the enclosure against ingress of solid foreign o 7ects 8falling dirt and (ind lo(n dust9: to provide a degree of protection (ith respect to harmful effects on the e6uipment due to the ingress of (ater 8rain, sleet, sno(9: that provides an additional level of protection against corrosion and that (ill e undamaged y the e;ternal formation of ice on the enclosure. Type 3R! Enclosures constructed for either indoor or outdoor use to provide a degree of protection to personnel against access to ha4ardous parts: to provide a degree of protection of the e6uipment inside the enclosure against ingress of solid foreign o 7ects 8falling dirt9: to provide a degree of protection (ith respect to harmful effects on the e6uipment due to the ingress of (ater 8rain, sleet, sno(9: that (ill e undamaged y the e;ternal formation of ice on the enclosure that provides an additional level of protection against corrosion: and that (ill e undamaged y the e;ternal formation of ice on the enclosure. Type 3 ! Enclosures constructed for either indoor or outdoor use to provide a degree of protection to personnel against access to ha4ardous parts: to provide a degree of protection of the e6uipment inside the enclosure against ingress of solid foreign o 7ects 8falling dirt and (ind lo(n dust9: to provide a degree of protection (ith respect to harmful effects on the e6uipment due to the ingress of (ater 8rain, sleet, sno(9: that provides an additional level of protection against corrosion: and for (hich the e;ternal mechanism8s9 remain opera le (hen ice laden. Type " Enclosures constructed for either indoor or outdoor use to provide a degree of protection to personnel against access to ha4ardous parts: to provide a degree of protection of the e6uipment inside the enclosure against ingress of solid foreign o 7ects 8falling dirt and (ind lo(n dust9: to provide a degree of protection (ith respect to harmful effects on the e6uipment due to the ingress of (ater 8rain, sleet, sno(, splashing (ater, and hose directed (ater9: and that (ill e undamaged y the e;ternal formation of ice on the enclosure.

National Electrical Manufacturers Association Approved by NEMA Enclosures Section 1300 N. 17th Street, Suite 175 "osslyn, #A 0$

Nove!ber 005

NEMA Enclosure +ypes

Type "! Enclosures constructed for either indoor or outdoor use to provide a degree of protection to personnel against access to ha4ardous parts: to provide a degree of protection of the e6uipment inside the enclosure against ingress of solid foreign o 7ects 8(ind lo(n dust9: to provide a degree of protection (ith respect to harmful effects on the e6uipment due to the ingress of (ater 8rain, sleet, sno(, splashing (ater, and hose directed (ater9: that provides an additional level of protection against corrosion: and that (ill e undamaged y the e;ternal formation of ice on the enclosure. Type # Enclosures constructed for indoor use to provide a degree of protection to personnel against access to ha4ardous parts: to provide a degree of protection of the e6uipment inside the enclosure against ingress of solid foreign o 7ects 8falling dirt and settling air orne dust, lint, fi ers, and flyings9: and to provide a degree of protection (ith respect to harmful effects on the e6uipment due to the ingress of (ater 8dripping and light splashing9. Type $ Enclosures constructed for either indoor or outdoor use to provide a degree of protection to personnel against access to ha4ardous parts: to provide a degree of protection of the e6uipment inside the enclosure against ingress of solid foreign o 7ects 8falling dirt9: to provide a degree of protection (ith respect to harmful effects on the e6uipment due to the ingress of (ater 8hose directed (ater and the entry of (ater during occasional temporary su mersion at a limited depth9: and that (ill e undamaged y the e;ternal formation of ice on the enclosure. Type $% Enclosures constructed for either indoor or outdoor use to provide a degree of protection to personnel against access to ha4ardous parts: to provide a degree of protection of the e6uipment inside the enclosure against ingress of solid foreign o 7ects 8falling dirt9: to provide a degree of protection (ith respect to harmful effects on the e6uipment due to the ingress of (ater 8hose directed (ater and the entry of (ater during prolonged su mersion at a limited depth9: that provides an additional level of protection against corrosion and that (ill e undamaged y the e;ternal formation of ice on the enclosure. Type 12 Enclosures constructed 8(ithout <noc<outs9 for indoor use to provide a degree of protection to personnel against access to ha4ardous parts: to provide a degree of protection of the e6uipment inside the enclosure against ingress of solid foreign o 7ects 8falling dirt and circulating dust, lint, fi ers, and flyings9: and to provide a degree of protection (ith respect to harmful effects on the e6uipment due to the ingress of (ater 8dripping and light splashing9. Type 12& Enclosures constructed 8(ith <noc<outs9 for indoor use to provide a degree of protection to personnel against access to ha4ardous parts: to provide a degree of protection of the e6uipment inside the enclosure against ingress of solid foreign o 7ects 8falling dirt and circulating dust, lint, fi ers, and flyings9: and to provide a degree of protection (ith respect to harmful effects on the e6uipment due to the ingress of (ater 8dripping and light splashing9.
National Electrical Manufacturers Association Approved by NEMA Enclosures Section 1300 N. 17th Street, Suite 175 "osslyn, #A 0$

Nove!ber 005

NEMA Enclosure +ypes

Type 13 Enclosures constructed for indoor use to provide a degree of protection to personnel against access to ha4ardous parts: to provide a degree of protection of the e6uipment inside the enclosure against ingress of solid foreign o 7ects 8falling dirt and circulating dust, lint, fi ers, and flyings9: to provide a degree of protection (ith respect to harmful effects on the e6uipment due to the ingress of (ater 8dripping and light splashing9: and to provide a degree of protection against the spraying, splashing, and seepage of oil and non$corrosive coolants.
Ta'le 1 =omparison of Specific Applications of Enclosures for )ndoor Nonha4ardous 5ocations
Type of Enclosure %ro(ides a De)ree of %rotection A)ainst the *ollowin) +onditions Access to ha4ardous parts )ngress of solid foreign o 7ects 8falling dirt9 )ngress of (ater 8?ripping and light splashing9 )ngress of solid foreign o 7ects 8=irculating dust, lint, fi ers, and flyings @@9 )ngress of solid foreign o 7ects 8Settling air orne dust, lint, fi ers, and flyings @@9 )ngress of (ater 8*osedo(n and splashing (ater9 Ail and coolant seepage Ail or coolant spraying and splashing =orrosive agents )ngress of (ater 8Accasional temporary su mersion9 )ngress of (ater 8Accasional prolonged su mersion9 1, > > ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 2, > > > ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... " > > > > > > ... ... ... ... ... "! > > > > > > .. ... > ... ... # > > > ... > ... ... ... ... ... ... $ > > > > > > ... ... ... > ... $% > > > > > > ... ... > > > 12 > > > > > ... > ... ... ... ... 12& > > > > > ... > ... ... ... ... 13 > > > > > ... > > ... ... ...

,-rom NEMA &%0.&00 /

@ These enclosures may e ventilated. @@ These fi ers and flyings are nonha4ardous materials and are not considered =lass ))) type ignita le fi ers or com usti le flyings. For =lass ))) type ignita le fi ers or com usti le flyings see the National Electrical =ode, Article "##.

National Electrical Manufacturers Association Approved by NEMA Enclosures Section 1300 N. 17th Street, Suite 175 "osslyn, #A 0$

Nove!ber 005

NEMA Enclosure +ypes

Ta'le 2 =omparison of Specific Applications of Enclosures for Autdoor Nonha4ardous 5ocations

Type of Enclosure %ro(ides a De)ree of %rotection A)ainst the *ollowin) +onditions Access to ha4ardous parts )ngress of (ater 8Bain, sno(, and sleet @ ,Sleet @@ , )ngress of solid foreign o 7ects 8Cind lo(n dust, lint, fi ers, and flyings9 )ngress of (ater 8*osedo(n9 =orrosive agents )ngress of (ater 8Accasional temporary su mersion9 )ngress of (ater 8Accasional prolonged su mersion9 3 > > ... > ... ... ... ... 3! > > ... > ... > ... ... 3R, > > ... ... ... ... ... ... 3R!, > > ... ... ... > ... ... 3 > > > > ... ... ... ... 3 ! > > > > ... > ... ... " > > ... > > ... ... ... "! > > ... > > > ... ... $ > > ... > > ... > ... $% > > ... > > > > >

,-rom NEMA &%0.&00 /

@ These enclosures may e ventilated. @@ E;ternal operating mechanisms are not re6uired to e opera le (hen the enclosure is ice covered. @@@ E;ternal operating mechanisms are opera le (hen the enclosure is ice covered.

)n *a4ardous 5ocations . when completely and properly installed and maintained , Type . and /# enclosures are designed to contain an internal e;plosion (ithout causing an e;ternal ha4ard. Type , enclosures are designed to prevent com ustion through the use of oil$immersed e6uipment. Type 0 enclosures are designed to prevent the ignition of com usti le dust. Type / Enclosures constructed for indoor use in ha4ardous 8classified9 locations classified as =lass ), ?ivision /, Droups A, E, =, or ? as defined in NFPA .#. Type 0 Enclosures constructed for either indoor or outdoor use in ha4ardous 8classified9 locations classified as =lass ), ?ivision /, Droups A, E, =, and ? as defined in NFPA .#. Type 1 Enclosures constructed for indoor use in ha4ardous 8classified9 locations classified as =lass )), ?ivision /, Droups E, F, or D as defined in NFPA .#. Type 12 Enclosures constructed to meet the re6uirements of the Mine Safety and *ealth Administration, %# =FB, Part /,.

National Electrical Manufacturers Association Approved by NEMA Enclosures Section 1300 N. 17th Street, Suite 175 "osslyn, #A 0$

Nove!ber 005

NEMA Enclosure +ypes

Ta'le 341 =omparison of Specific Applications of Enclosures for )ndoor *a4ardous 5ocations 8)f the installation is outdoors and2or additional protection is re6uired y Ta le / and Ta le !, a com ination$type enclosure is re6uired.9
%ro(ides a De)ree of %rotection A)ainst Atmospheres Typically +ontainin) 8See NFPA -0.M for =omplete 5isting9 Enclosure Types / and 0. +lass 5 6roups @@ Enclosure Type 1. +lass 55 6roups

,-rom NEMA &%0.&00 /

+lass ) ) ) ) )) )) )) ))) MS*A

A > ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...

3 ... > ... ... ... ... ... ... ...

+ ... ... > ... ... ... ... ... ...

D ... ... ... > ... ... ... ... ...

E ... ... ... ... > ... ... ... ...

* ... ... ... ... ... > ... ... ...

6 ... ... ... ... ... ... > > ...

12 ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... >

Acetylene *ydrogen, manufactured gas ?iethyl ether, ethylene, cyclopropane Dasoline, he;ane, utane, naphtha, propane, acetone, toluene, isoprene Metal dust =ar on lac<, coal dust, co<e dust Flour, starch, grain dust Fi ers, flyings @ Methane (ith or (ithout coal dust

@ For =lass ))) type ignita le fi ers or com usti le flyings see the National Electrical =ode, Article "##. @@ ?ue to the characteristics of the gas, vapor, or dust, a product suita le for one =lass or Droup may not e suita le for another =lass or Droup unless mar<ed on the product.

National Electrical Manufacturers Association Approved by NEMA Enclosures Section 1300 N. 17th Street, Suite 175 "osslyn, #A 0$

Nove!ber 005

NEMA Enclosure +ypes

+omparison 3etween NEMA Enclosure Type Num'ers and 5E+ Enclosure +lassification Desi)nations )E= Pu lication F#"!0 =lassification of ?egrees of Protection Provided y Enclosures provides a system for specifying the enclosures of electrical e6uipment on the asis of the degree of protection provided y the enclosure. )E= F#"!0 does not specify degrees of protection against mechanical damage of e6uipment, ris< of e;plosions, or conditions such as moisture 8produced for e;ample y condensation9, corrosive vapors, fungus, or vermin. The NEMA Standard for Enclosures for Electrical E6uipment does test for environmental conditions such as corrosion, rust, icing, oil, and coolants. For this reason, and ecause the test and evaluations for other characteristics are not identical, the )E= Enclosure =lassification ?esignations cannot e e;actly e6uated (ith the enclosure Type num ers in this Standard. The )E= designation consists of the letters )P follo(ed y t(o numerals. The first characteristic numeral indicates the degree of protection provided y the enclosure (ith respect to persons and solid foreign o 7ects entering the enclosure. The second characteristic numeral indicates the degree of protection provided y the enclosure (ith respect to the harmful ingress of (ater. Ta le A$/ provides an e6uivalent conversion from the enclosure Type num ers in this Standard to the )E= Enclosure =lassification ?esignations. The enclosure type num ers meet or e;ceed the test re6uirements for the associated )E= =lassification: for this reason Ta le A$/ cannot e used to convert from )E= =lassifications to enclosure Type num ers.

National Electrical Manufacturers Association Approved by NEMA Enclosures Section 1300 N. 17th Street, Suite 175 "osslyn, #A 0$

Nove!ber 005

Ta'le A41 +7N8ER 57N 7* NEMA EN+97 :RE T;%E RAT5N6 T7 5E+ $2#21 EN+97 :RE +9A 5*5+AT57N DE 56NAT57N

<5%-

<+annot 'e :sed to +on(ert 5E+ +lassification Desi)nations to NEMA Type Ratin)s5% *irst +haracter 1 )P#G )P/G )P!G )P%G )P-G )P"G )PFG 2 3. 3!. 3 .3 ! NEMA Enclosure Type 3R. 3R! ". "! # $ $% 12. 12&. 13 )PG# )PG/ )PG! )PG% )PG)PG" )PGF )PG. )PG, A E A E A E A E A E A E A E A E A E 5% econd +haracter

A H A shaded loc< in the &A' column indicates that the NEMA Enclosure Type e;ceeds the re6uirements for the respective )E= F#"!0 )P First =haracter ?esignation. The )P First =haracter ?esignation is the protection against access to ha4ardous parts and solid foreign o 7ects. E H A shaded loc< in the &E' column indicates that the NEMA Enclosure Type e;ceeds the re6uirements for the respective )E= F#"!0 )P Second =haracter ?esignation. The )P Second =haracter ?esignation is the protection against the ingress of (ater. E>AMP5E AF TAE5E ISE An )E= )P -" Enclosure Bating is specified. Chat NEMA Type Enclosures meet and e;ceed the )P -" ratingJ

National Electrical Manufacturers Association Approved by NEMA Enclosures Section 1300 N. 17th Street, Suite 175 "osslyn, #A 0$

Nov 005

NEMA Enclosure +ypes

Beferencing the first character, -, in the )P rating and the ro( designated &)P-G' in the leftmost column in the ta le: the loc<s in =olumn &A' for NEMA Types %, %>, %S, %S>, -, ->, ", F, FP, /!, /!K, and /% are shaded. These NEMA ratings meet and e;ceed the )E= protection re6uirements against access to ha4ardous parts and solid foreign o 7ects. Beferencing the second character, ", in the )P rating and the ro( designated &)PG"' in the rightmost column in the ta le: the loc<s in =olumn &E' for NEMA Types %, %>, %S, %S>, -, ->, F, and FP are shaded. These NEMA ratings meet and e;ceed the )E= re6uirements for protection against the ingress of (ater. The a sence of shading in =olumn &E' eneath the &NEMA Enclosure Type "' indicates that Type " does not meet the )P -" protection re6uirements against the ingress of (ater. 5i<e(ise the a sence of shading in =olumn &E' for NEMA Type /!, /!K and /% enclosures indicates that these enclosures do not meet the )P -" re6uirements for protection against the ingress of (ater. Anly Types %, %>, %S, %S>, -, ->, F, and FP have oth =olumn &A' in the &)P-G' ro( and =olumn &E' in the &)PG"' ro( shaded and could e used in an )P-" application. The NEMA Enclosure Type % not only meets the )P -" Enclosure Bating, ut also e;ceeds the )E= re6uirements ecause the NEMA Type re=uires an outdoor corrosion test: a gas<et aging test: a dust test: an e;ternal icing test: and no (ater penetration in the rain test. Slight differences e;ist et(een the )E= and NEMA test methods, ut the )E= rating permits the penetration of (ater if &it does not deposit on insulation parts, or reach live parts.' The )E= rating does not re6uire a corrosion test: gas<et aging test: dust test or e;ternal icing test. Eecause the NEMA ratings include additional test re6uirements, this ta le cannot e used to select )P ?esignations for NEMA rated enclosure specifications. )E= F#"!0 specifies that an enclosure shall only e designated (ith a stated degree of protection indicated y the first characteristic numeral if it also complies (ith all lo(er degrees of protection. Furthermore )E= F#"!0 states that an enclosure shall only e designated (ith a degree of protection indicated y the second characteristic numeral if it also complies (ith all lo(er degrees of protection up to and including the second characteristic numeral F. An enclosure designated (ith a second characteristic numeral . or , only is considered unsuita le for e;posure to (ater 7ets 8designated y second characteristic numeral " or F9 and need not comply (ith re6uirements for numeral " or F unless it is dual coded. Since the )E= protection re6uirements ecome more stringent (ith increasing )P character value up through F, once a NEMA Type rating meets the re6uirements for an )P designation up through F, it (ill also meet the re6uirements for all lo(er )P designations. This is apparent from the shaded areas sho(n in the ta le.

National Electrical Manufacturers Association Approved by NEMA Enclosures Section 1300 N. 17th Street, Suite 175 "osslyn, #A 0$

Nove!ber 005