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ENCLOSURES

He that is too secure is not safe

- Proverb

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Enclosures

Synopsis
The two major Ingress Protection standards are reviewed.
- IEC
- NEMA
Degrees of protection are associated with varying codes.

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The two standards commonly associated with Ingress Protection of Enclosures are:
1.

IEC

2.

NEMA

IEC Standard
IEC stands for International Electrotechnical Commission.

Table 17.1
NOTES:
1.

To be used in place of a first characteristic numeral where it is categorically claimed that a

degree of protection does not apply.

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Enclosures

Table 17.2
NOTE
1.

To be used in place of a second characteristic numeral where it is categorically claimed that a

degree of protection does not apply.

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Table 17.3

IEC Standard Test Finger

The standard test finger shall be so designed that each of the jointed sections can be turned through
an angle of 90 degrees with respect to the axis of the finger in the same direction only.
The tip of the finger shall be made of copper alloy, the handle shall be made of insulating material.
The finger shall be provided with two joints operating in the same plane and so constructed that
they will remain in any desired position.
A terminal or other equivalent means shall be provided to permit attachment of a flexible wire lead
to the finger.

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Enclosures

Fig. 17.1

NEMA Standards
The National Electrical Manufacturers Association has developed standards for various types of
enclosures for electrical equipment. The enclosures are classified by type number in accordance
with NEMA Standard ICS-6-110 to indicate the external conditions for which the enclosure is
suitable.
NEMA 1 GENERAL PURPOSE ENCLOSURE
These have sheet metal enclosures and serve as protection against dirt and against light indirect
splashing. They are not dust tight or splash proof.
NEMA 2 DRIP TIGHT ENCLOSURE
Severe condensation, cooling rooms, laundries, tunnels.
NEMA 3 WEATHER RESISTANT (WEATHER PROOF)
Used outdoors for splashing rain, snow, sleet. Ship docks, subways, tunnels.
NEMA 4 WATER TIGHT
Used in dairies, breweries, etc. Must pass hose test, using one inch nozzle, delivering 65 gpm
10 foot distance for 5 minutes.
NEMA 5 DUST TIGHT
Gasketed enclosure to exclude non-hazardous dust in cement mills, steel mills etc. Do not
use for grain or coal dust atmosphere.
NEMA 6 SUBMERSIBLE
Used in quarries, mines and manholes. To operate while submerged in water under conditions
of pressure and time.

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NEMA 7 HAZARDOUS LOCATIONS (CLASS I GROUP C & D)

Explosion proof. Atmospheres of ethylether, ethylene, cyclo propane, gasoline, petroleum,
naptha, benzene, propane, alcohol, acetone, benzol, lacquer solvent vapour, natural gas.
NEMA 8 HAZARDOUS LOCATIONS (CLASS I OIL IMMERSED)
Oil circuit breakers.
NEMA 9 HAZARDOUS LOCATIONS (CLASS II GROUP E,F,G)
Combustible dust such as metal dust, carbon black, coal dust, coke dust, grain dust.
NEMA 10 BUREAU OF MINES 0 (EXPLOSION PROOF)
Used in gassy coal mines.
NEMA 11 ACID & FUME RESISTANT - OIL EMMERSED- USED INDOORS
Equipment submerged in oil when subjected to acid or other corrosive fuels, as in chemical
plants, plating rooms, sewage plants, etc.
NEMA 12 INDUSTRIAL USE
To exclude dust lint, flyings, oil seepage.
NEMA 13 DUST PROOF
Special design required for each application.
ENCLOSURES FOR NONHAZARDOUS LOCATIONS
LEGEND:
I = Enclosures intended for indoor nonhazardous locations
X = Enclosures intended for indoor and outdoor nonhazardous locations
In or X n = Same as above: however, recognized by NEMA enclosure type ratings only
Ic or Xc = Same as above; however, recognized by CSA enclosure type ratings only

Table 17.4

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Enclosure Classification Designations Comparison

The North American ingress protection designations are easily comparted with the IEC enclosure
classifications for compatibility. Both classification designations are similar; however, they are not
identical in all respects. The following table displays the ingress protection comparison:

Table 17.5

Summary
The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) use a code of the form IP [1] [2] where [1]
is the level of protection from ingress of solids and [2] is the level of protection from ingress of
water.
The National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) lists protection using numbers from
1-13. These cover liquid, solid and hazardous area requirements.

Activity
1.
2.

3.

Which codes (IEC, NEMA) apply to protection from dusts? high pressure water?
Convert these to their IEC equivalent(s):
i. Nema 6
ii. Nema 9
Convert these to their NEMA equivalent(s);
i. IP10
ii. IPX5

Discussion
Where are special enclosures used in your plant environment? Why?

Third Printing: October 1996

Second Printing: December 1993
First Printed: Otober 1991

Principles of Instrumentation and Control

Course 9050 - October 1996