Enclosures (Indoor / Outdoor)

An enclosure, as stated by the National Electric Manufacturers Association (NEMA), is a surrounding situation built to supply a level of protection to personnel against incidental contact with the enclosed equipment and to provide a level of protection to the enclosed equipment against defined environmental problems.

While NEMA doesn’t really test goods, it determines the performance standards for enclosures meant for certain environments. NEMA standards describe every kind of enclosure generally and operational provisions, and especially omit reference to the structure details. That usually means that NEMA specifies enclosure and what has to do, not the way to fabricate it.  The analyzed enclosures are subsequently licensed to carry a tag from UL or CSA to prove it’s passed the necessary tests and meets with the applicable UL and CSA standard.

Definitions Pertaining to Non-Hazardous Locations

Type 1 Enclosures – Designed for indoor use to provide a level of protection to personnel against incidental contact with the enclosed equipment, and also to give a level of protection against falling dirt.

Type 2 Enclosures – Designed for indoor use to provide a level of protection to personnel against incidental contact with the enclosed equipment, to supply a level of protection against falling dirt, and also to deliver a level of protection against dripping and light splashing of liquids. NEMA 250-1997

Type 3 Enclosures – Constructed to indoor or outdoor use to supply a level of protection to personnel against incidental contact with the enclosed equipment; to supply a level of protection against falling dirt, rain, sleet, snow, and windblown dust; which will be undamaged by the external formation of ice on the enclosure.

Type 3R Enclosures – Constructed for indoor or outdoor use to supply a level of protection to personnel against incidental contact with the enclosed equipment; to supply a level of protection against falling dirt, rain, sleet, snow; which will be undamaged by the external formation of ice on the enclosure.

Type 35 Enclosures – Constructed for indoor or outdoor use to supply a level of protection to personnel against incidental contact with the enclosed equipment; to supply a level of protection against falling dirt, rain, sleet, snow, and windblown dust; and where the external mechanism(s) remain operable when ice laden.

Type 4 Enclosures – Constructed to indoor or outdoor use to supply a level of protection to personnel against incidental contact with the enclosed equipment; to supply a level of protection against falling dirt, rain sleet, snow, and windblown dust, splashing water, and hose-directed water; which will be undamaged by the external formation of ice on the enclosure.

Type 4X Enclosures – Constructed for indoor or outdoor use to supply a level of protection to personnel against incidental contact with the enclosed equipment; to supply a level of protection against falling dirt, rain, sleet, snow, and windblown dust, splashing water, hose-directed water; and rust; which will be undamaged by the external formation of ice on the enclosure.

Type 5 Enclosures – Constructed for indoor use to provide a level of protection to personnel against incidental contact with the enclosed equipment; to supply a level of protection against falling dirt; against settling airborne dust, lint, fibers, and filings; and also to deliver a level of protection against dripping and light splashing of liquids.

Type 6 Enclosures – Designed to indoor or outdoor use to supply a level of protection to personnel against incidental contact with the enclosed equipment; to supply a level of protection against falling dirt; contrary to hose-directed water and the entry of water during occasional temporary submersion in the restricted depth; which will be undamaged by the external formation of ice on the enclosure.

Type 6P Enclosures – Constructed for either inside or out-door utilize to supply a level of protection to personnel against incidental contact with the enclosed equipment; to supply a level of protection against falling dirt; contrary to hose-directed water and the entry of water during prolonged submersion at a limited depth; which will be undamaged by the external formation of ice on the enclosure.

Type 12 Enclosures – Constructed (without knockouts) for indoor use to provide a level of protection to personnel against incidental contact with the enclosed equipment; to supply a level of protection against falling dirt; against circulating dust, lint, fibers, and filings; and against dripping and light splashing of liquids.

Type 13 Enclosures – Constructed for indoor use to provide a level of protection to personnel against incidental contact with the enclosed equipment; to supply a level of protection against falling dirt; against circulating dust, lint, fibers, and filings; and contrary to spraying against splashing, and seepage of oil, water and non-corrosive coolants.

What is enclosure material?

Electrical generators are normally made from stiff plastics, or metals like steel, stainless steel, or aluminum. Steel cabinets might be painted or galvanized. Mass-produced gear will normally possess a customized enclosure, however standardized enclosures are created for custom-built or small production runs of gear.

what is the NEMA standard?

The National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) defines criteria used in North America for a variety of grades of electric enclosures typically utilized in industrial uses. Each is graded to protect against private access to hazardous components, and extra type-dependent specified environmental problems.