NEMA

The National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) defines standards used in North America for
various grades of electrical enclosures typically used in industrial applications. Each is rated to protect
against personal access to hazardous parts, and additional type-dependent designated environmental
conditions. A typical NEMA enclosure might be rated to provide protection against environmental
hazards such as water, dust, oil or coolant or atmospheres containing corrosive agents such
as acetylene or gasoline. A full list of NEMA enclosure types is available from the NEMA website.

Enclosure types
Below is a list of NEMA enclosure types; these types are further defined in NEMA ICS 6: Enclosures
standard. Each type specifies characteristics of an enclosure, but not, for example, a specific enclosure
size. Note that higher numbers do not include the lower-numbered tests. For example, types 3, 4 and 6 are
intended for outdoor use, but type 5 is not.
NFPA is National Fire Protection Association, and NEC is National Electrical Code (U.S.A.)

NEMA
Definition
Type

General-purpose. Protects against dust, light, and indirect splashing but is not dust-tight;
1 primarily prevents contact with live parts; used indoors and under normal atmospheric
conditions.

Drip-tight. Similar to Type 1 but with addition of drip shields; used where condensation
2
may be severe (as in cooling and laundry rooms).

Weather-resistant. Protects against falling dirt and windblown dust, against weather hazards
3 such as rain, sleet and snow, and is undamaged by the formation of ice. Used outdoors on
ship docks, in construction work, and in tunnels and subways.

3R As 3, but omits protection against windblown dust.

3S As 3, but also operable when laden with ice.

3X,
3RX, X indicates additional corrosion protection; commonly used near salt water.
3SX

Watertight. Must exclude at least 65 GPM of water from a 1 in nozzle delivered from a
distance not less than 10 ft for 5 min. Used outdoors on ship docks, in dairies,
4 and 4X
in wastewater treatment plants and breweries. X (as 4X) indicates additional corrosion
resistance.
 Dust-tight. Provided with gaskets or equivalent to exclude dust; used in steel mills and
5
cement plants.

Submersible. Design depends on specified conditions of pressure and time; submersible in

water or oil; used in quarries, mines, and manholes. 6 is temporarily submersible, 6P
6 and 6P
withstands occasional prolonged submersion. Neither are intended for continuous
submersion.

Certified and labelled for use in areas with specific hazardous conditions: for indoor use
7 in Class I, Groups A, B, C, and D environments as defined in NFPA standards such as the
NEC.

Certified and labeled for use in areas with specific hazardous conditions: for indoor and
8 outdoor use in locations classified as Class I, Groups A, B, C, and D as defined
in NFPA standards such as the NFPA 70.

Certified and labelled for use in areas with specific hazardous conditions: for indoor and
9 outdoor use in locations classified as Class II, Groups E, F, or G as defined in NFPA
standards such as the NEC.

MSHA. Meets the requirements of the Mine Safety and Health Administration, 30 CFR Part
10
18 (1978).

General-purpose. Protects against the corrosive effects of liquids and gases. Meets drip and
11
corrosion-resistance tests.

12 and General-purpose. Intended for indoor use, provides some protection against dust, falling
12K dirt, and dripping non-corrosive liquids. Meets drip, dust, and rust resistance tests.

General-purpose. Primarily used to provide protection against dust, spraying of water and
13
non-corrosive coolants. Meets oil exclusion and rust resistance design tests.