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Informative Annex 10 A
IP & NEMA Ratings & Enclosures
These Informative Annexes are for the use of the Task Force and are not to be included in
the API Standards
Annex 10A contains the following:
1) Frequently asked questions concerning NEMA Enclosure.Pg 1
2) Explanation of the IP and NEMA protection Codes...Pg 2
Annex 10B contains the following:
1) NEMA Standards publication: A brief comparison between NEMA
250 Enclosures and IEC 60529 - IP designated enclosures.Pg 1
Frequently Asked Questions Concerning NEMA Enclosures
1.

The NEMA 4 enclosure appears to be a dust proof enclosure, and not explosion proof. What
enclosure should be used in a pit containing explosive methane gas?
Type 4 is not an explosion proof enclosure. Look at Type 7, Class I, Group D (for methane gas), or a
combination of Type 4 and 7 which is readily available from manufacturers. Table SA-1 in the standard
shows the combinations. NFPA 497M, Classification of Gases in Hazardous Locations, and Article 500 of
the National Electrical Code, which are referenced in the NEMA Standard, provide further information on
these types of applications.

2.

Do you have any standard for distribution transformer tanks?

These are referred to as the "enclosures" and are contained in the ANSI C57.12.20-series standards which
can be purchased from Global Engineering.

3.

What NEMA enclosure rating meets/exceeds IP 65?

It is not possible to state that an IP rating is equivalent to a NEMA Type designation. An IP rating only
considers protection against ingress of solid foreign objects and ingress of water. The NEMA Types
consider these but also consider other items such as corrosions and construction details. For this reason it is
possible to say that a NEMA Type is equivalent to an IP rating but it is not possible to state that an IP rating
is equivalent to a NEMA Type. To the question of IP 65 if you refer to the information on the NEMA web
site you should see that a Type 6 and a Type 6P meet or exceed an IP 67. They would therefore meet an IP
65. After some recent studies the comparison chart will be redone in the future and will indicate a Type 4
and a Type 4X is equivalent to an IP 66 and the Type 6P is being changed to an IP 68. All other Types are
below an IP 65.

4.

What does this mean: "Requirements: US or Japan 100-240 vac 50- 60 Hz power supply with US
connector - NEMA 10"?
NEMA 10 is a standard enclosure type. Type 10 - Enclosures are constructed to meet the requirements of
the Mine Safety and Health Administration, 30 CFR, Part 18.

5.

What is the proper NEMA standard to specify dustproof requirements for the controller, motor, and
other accessory apparatus?
NEMA 250-1997, "Enclosures for Electrical Equipment (1000 Volts Maximum)." This document can be
purchased from Global by clicking here http://www.global.ihs.com or by calling 800.854.7179.

6.

Does an enclosure have to be submitted to NEMA for approval?

NEMA does no testing nor certification. To claim compliance with the requirements for a specific NEMA

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enclosure type, a manufacturer would have to comply with the requirements contained in NEMA 250-1997,
"Enclosures for Electrical Equipment (1000 Volts Maximum)." This document can be purchased from
Global by clicking here http://www.global.ihs.com/ or by calling 800.854.7179.
7.

Where can I find construction requirements for NEMA enclosures?

NEMA standards tend to be written as performance standards. NEMA standard publications 250-1997 and
ICS 6 have some information concerning construction, such as wire bending space, etc.

2) The following is an explanation of the IP and NEMA protection Codes

The protection of enclosures against ingress of dirt or against the ingress of water is defined in IEC529
(BSEN60529:1991). Conversely, an enclosure which protects equipment against ingress of particles will
also protect a person from potential hazards within that enclosure, and this degree of protection is also
defined as a standard.
The degrees of protection are most commonly expressed as "IP" followed by two numbers, e.g. IP65,
where the numbers define the degree of protection. The first digit (Foreign Bodies Protection)shows the
extent to which the equipment is protected against particles, or to which persons are protected from
enclosed hazards. The second digit (Water Protection) indicates the extent of protection against water.
The wording in the table is not exactly as used in the standards document, but the dimensions are
accurate.
The first digit in the rating is the protection against contact and foreign bodies. The second digit in the
rating is the water protection factor. The third digit in the impact protection factor It is normally displayed
in the format below.
IP s l (i)

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3
s = solids, l=liquids and i= impact (optional)

First Index - Foreign Bodies Protection, Solids

Index

Protection against Human/Tool

Protection against solid objects (foreign bodies)
Contact

No special protection

Back of hand, Fist

Large foreign bodies, diam. >50mm

Finger

Medium-sized foreign bodies, diam. >12

Tools and wires etc with a

thickness >2.5mm

Small foreign bodies, diam. >2.5mm

Tools and wires etc with a

thickness >1mm

Granular foreign bodies, diam. >1mm

Complete protection, (limited

ingress permitted)

Dust protected; dust deposits are permitted, but their volume

must not affect the function of the unit.

Complete protection

Dust-proof

Second Index - Water Protection, Liquids

Index Protection against water

Protection from condition

No special protection

Water dripping/falling vertically

Condensation/Light rain

Water sprayed at an angle (up to 15 degrees from the vertical)

Light rain with wind

Spray water (any direction up to 60 degrees from the vertical)

Heavy rainstorm

Spray water from all directions, (limited ingress permitted)

Splashing

Low pressure water jets from all directions, (limited ingress

permitted)

Hose down, residential

High pressure jets from all directions, (limited ingress permitted)

Hose down, commercial.

eg. Ship decks

Temporary immersion, 15 cm to 1m

Immersion in tank

Permanent Immersion, under pressure

For use on Titanic recovery vehicle

Third Index - Impact Protection, Impact

Index Protection against impact

Equivalent mass impact

No special protection

Protected against 0.225J impact eg. 150g weight falling from 15cm height

Protected against 0.375J impact eg. 250g weight falling from 15cm height

Protected against 0.5J impact

eg. 250g weight falling from 20cm height

Protected against 2.0J impact

eg. 500g weight falling from 40cm height

Protected against 6.0J impact

eg. 0.61183kg weight falling from 1m height

Protected against 20.0J impact

eg. 2.0394kg weight falling from 1m height

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Examples:

Umbrella-

IP-01 or IP-02 depending on umbrella

Chain link fence- IP-10

Chicken wire-

IP-20

Screen-

IP-30

Kevlar cloth-

IP-40

Tent (camping)-

IP-42

Saran wrap-

IP-51

Bottle of wine-

IP-67

Submarine-

IP-68

NEMA Ratings
There are many NEMA ratings available for enclosures. Below, is an brief explanation of each NEMA
rating.
NEMA 1 General Purpose - Indoors
Type 1 enclosures are intended for general purpose indoor use primarily to provide a degree of
protection against contact with the enclosed equipment or locations where unusual service conditions do
not exist.
NEMA 2 Drip Proof - Indoors
Type 2 enclosures are intended for general purpose indoor use primarily to provide a degree of
protection against limited amounts of falling water and dirt.
NEMA 3 Dust Tight, Rain Tight, & Ice/Sleet resistant - Indoors/Outdoors
Type 3 enclosures are intended for general purpose outdoor use primarily to provide a degree of
protection against windblown dust, rain, and sleet; and to be undamaged by the formation of ice on the
enclosure.
NEMA 3R Rain Proof & Ice/Sleet Proof - Indoors/Outdoors
Type 3R enclosures are intended for general purpose outdoor use primarily to provide a degree of
protection against falling rain; and to be undamaged by the formation of ice on the enclosure.
NEMA 3S Dust Tight, Rain Tight, & Ice/Sleet Proof - Outdoors
Type 3S enclosures are intended for general purpose outdoor use primarily to provide a degree of
protection against sleet; and to be undamaged by the formation of ice on the enclosure.
NEMA 4 Water Tight & Dust Tight - Indoors/Outdoors
Type 4 enclosures are intended for general purpose indoor or outdoor use primarily to provide a degree
of protection against windblown dust and rain, splashing water, and hose directed water; and to be
undamaged by the formation of ice on the enclosure.
NEMA 4x Water Tight, Dust Tight, & Corrosion Resistant - Indoors/Outdoors
Type 4X enclosures are intended for general purpose indoor and outdoor use primarily to provide a
degree of protection against corrosion, windblown dust and rain, splashing water, and hose-directed
water; and to be undamaged by the formation of ice on the enclosure.
NEMA 5 Superseded by NEMA 12 for Control Apparatus
Type 5 see NEMA 12
NEMA 6 Submersible, Water Tight, Dust Tight, & Ice/Sleet Resistant - Indoors/Outdoors
Type 6 enclosures are intended for general purpose indoor or outdoor use primarily to provide a degree

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of protection against the entry of water during temporary submersion at a limited depth; and to be
undamaged by the formation of ice on the enclosure.
NEMA 7 Underwriters Lab Class 1-Groups C&D -Explosion Proof - Indoors
Type 7 enclosures are for indoor use in locations classified as Class I, Groups A, B, C, or D, as defined
in the National Electrical Code.
Type 7 enclosures shall be capable of withstanding the pressures resulting from an internal explosion of
specified gases, and contain such an explosion sufficiently that an explosive gas-air mixture existing in
the atmosphere surrounding the enclosure will not be ignited. Enclosed heat generating devices shall
not cause external surfaces to reach temperatures capable of igniting explosive gas-air mixtures in the
surrounding atmosphere. Enclosures shall meet explosion, hydro-static, and temperature design tests.
NEMA 8 Underwriters Lab Class 1-Groups C&D -Explosion Proof - Indoors
Type 8 is same as NEMA 7, except the unit is oil-immersed
NEMA 9 Underwriters' Lab Class II - Groups E,F,G - Indoors
Type 9 enclosures are intended for special purpose indoor use in locations classified as hazardous
(Class II, Groups E, F, or G, as defined in the National Electrical Code).
Type 9 enclosures shall be capable of preventing the entrance of dust. Enclosed heat generating
devices shall not cause external surfaces to reach temperatures capable of igniting or discoloring dust
on the enclosure or igniting dust-air mixtures in the surrounding atmosphere. Enclosures shall meet
dust penetration and temperature design tests, and aging of gaskets (if used).
NEMA 10 Bureau of Mines
NEMA 11 Corrosion Resistant & Drip Proof - Oil Immersed - indoors
NEMA 12 Industrial Use - Dust Tight & Drip Tight - Indoors
Type 12 enclosures are intended for industrial indoor use primarily to provide a degree of protection
against dust, falling dirt, and dripping noncorrosive liquids.
NEMA 13 Oil Tight & Dust Tight - Indoors
Type 13 enclosures are intended for industrial indoor use primarily to provide a degree of protection
against dust, spraying of water, oil, and noncorrosive coolant.
Comparing NEMA and IP enclosure ratings.
This comparison is only approximate, and it is the responsibility of the user to verify the enclosure rating
necessary for the given application.

Enclosure type IP23

1
2
3
4
4X

IP30

IP32

IP55

IP64

IP65

IP66

IP67

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12
13