IP NEMA Classification
IP Rating / Rating & NEMA Equivalent Information
(only helpful information, detailed reference should be obtained from an appropriate agency)
In most cases, an IP number contains two digits (e.g. IP65) that refer to the
Level of protection, which is provided by an enclosure or enclosure.
Solids
The first figure refers to protection against solids as follows:
| Digit | Description |
|---|---|
| 0: | No special protection |
| 1: | Protected against solid objects up to 50 mm in diameter |
| 2: | Protected against solid objects up to 12 mm in diameter |
| 3: | Protected against solid objects up to a diameter of 2.5 mm |
| 4: | Protected against solid objects up to 1 mm in diameter |
| 5: | Dust-proof |
| 6: | Dustproof |
Liquids
The second figure refers to protection against liquids as follows:
| Digit | Description |
|---|---|
| 0: | No special protection |
| 1: | Protected against dripping water |
| 2: | Protected against dripping water when tilted by up to 15° from the normal position |
| 3: | Protected against splashing water |
| 4: | Protected against splashing water |
| 5: | Protected against splashing water |
| 6: | Protected against strong splashing water |
| 7: | Protected from the effects of immersion |
| 8: | Protected against submersion |
Example: IP66 = Dustproof and protected against strong jets of water
The National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) ratings can be approximate
compared to those of the IP system, as shown below. Other factors such as corrosion
Protections are part of the NEMA system, please refer to the official documentation for details.
NEMA 1 = IP10
NEMA 2 = IP11
NEMA 3 = IP54
NEMA 4 = IP56
NEMA 4X = IP66
NEMA 6 = IP67
NEMA 12 = IP52
NEMA 13 = IP54
Understanding IP and NEMA Ratings
The protection of enclosures against the ingress of dirt or against the ingress of water is defined in IEC60529 (BSEN60529:1991). Conversely, an enclosure that protects equipment from particle ingress also protects a person from potential hazards within that enclosure, and this degree of protection is also defined as standard.
The degrees of protection are most often expressed as "IP", followed by two numbers, e.g. IP65, where the numbers define the degree of protection. The first digit (foreign object protection) indicates the extent to which the device is protected from particles or people are protected from trapped hazards. The second digit (Water Protection) indicates the degree of protection against water. The wording in the table is not exactly the same as in the standards document, but the dimensions are correct.
The first digit in the rating is protection against contact and foreign objects. The second digit in the rating is the water protection factor. The third digit in the impact protection factor It is usually displayed in the following format.
IP s l (i)
S = solids, L = liquids and i = impact (optional)
First Index - Foreign Object Protection, Solids
| Table of Contents | Protection against human-tool contact | Protection against solid objects (foreign bodies) |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | No special protection | |
| 1 | Back of the hand, fist | Large foreign bodies, Ø >50mm |
| 2 | Finger | Medium-sized foreign bodies, diam. >12 |
| 3 | Tools and wires, etc., with a thickness >2.5 mm | Small foreign bodies, Ø >2.5 mm |
| 4 | Tools and wires, etc., of a thickness of >1 mm | Granular foreign bodies, Ø >1mm |
| 5 | Full protection (limited intrusion allowed) | Dust-proof; Dust deposits are permissible, but their volume must not impair the function of the device. |
| 6 | Comprehensive protection | Dustproof |
Second Index - Water Protection, Liquids
| Table of Contents | Protection against water | Protection from Condition |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | No special protection | |
| 1 | Water dripping/falling vertically | Condensation/Light Rain |
| 2 | Obliquely sprayed water (up to 15º degrees from the vertical) | Light rain with wind |
| 3 | Spray water (in any direction up to 60º degrees from the vertical) | Heavy rain shower |
| 4 | Spray water from all directions (limited penetration allowed) | Splashing |
| 5 | Low-pressure water jets from all directions (limited penetration allowed) | Cumshot, Residential Buildings |
| 6 | High-pressure jets from all directions (limited penetration allowed) | Cumshot, commercial. E.g. decks for ships |
| 7 | Temporary immersion, 15 cm to 1 m | Diving into the tank |
| 8 | Permanent immersion under pressure | For use on the Titanic |
Third Index - Impact Protection, Impact
| Table of Contents | Protection against shocks | Equivalent mass effect |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | No special protection | |
| 1 | Protected against 0.225J impacts | e.g. 150g weight from a height of 15cm |
| 2 | Protected against 0.375J impacts | e.g. 250g weight from a height of 15cm |
| 3 | Protected against 0.5J impacts | e.g. 250g weight from a height of 20cm |
| 4 | Protected against 2.0J impacts | e.g. 500g weight from a height of 40cm |
| 5 | Protected against 6.0 J impacts | e.g. 0.61183kg weight from a height of 1m |
| 6 | Protected against 20.0 J impacts | e.g. 2.0394kg weight from a height of 1m |
Examples:
| Example | IP |
|---|---|
| Umbrella | IP-01 or IP-02 depending on the screen |
| Chain Link Fence | IP-10 |
| Wire Mesh | IP-20 |
| Screen | IP-30 |
| Kevlar Fabric | IP-40 |
| Tent (camping)- | IP-42 |
| Saran Wrap | IP-51 |
| Bottle of wine | IP-67 |
| Submarine | IP-68 |
NEMA Reviews
There are many NEMA ratings for enclosures. Below is a brief explanation of each NEMA classification.
NEMA 1 General Purpose - Indoor
Type 1 enclosures are intended for general indoor use, primarily to provide some protection against contact with the enclosed equipment or in places where there are no unusual operating conditions.
NEMA 2 Drip Protection - Indoor
Type 2 enclosures are intended for general indoor use, primarily to provide some protection against limited amounts of falling water and debris.
NEMA 3 Dustproof, Rainproof, and Ice/Sleet Resistant - Indoor & Outdoor
Type 3 enclosures are intended for general outdoor use, primarily to provide some protection from windblown dust, rain, and sleet. and to remain undamaged by the formation of ice on the enclosure.
NEMA 3R Rainproof & Ice/Sleet Resistant - Indoor/Outdoor
Type 3R enclosures are intended for general outdoor use, primarily to provide some protection against falling rain. and to remain undamaged by the formation of ice on the enclosure.
NEMA 3S dustproof, rainproof, and ice/sleet-proof - outdoors
Type 3S enclosures are intended for general outdoor use, primarily to provide some protection against sleet. and to remain undamaged by the formation of ice on the enclosure.
NEMA 4 Waterproof & Dustproof - Indoor/Outdoor
Type 4 enclosures are intended for general indoor or outdoor use, primarily to provide some protection against wind-blown dust and rain, splashing water, and hose-guided water. and to remain undamaged by the formation of ice on the enclosure.
NEMA 4x Waterproof, Dustproof & Corrosion Resistant - Indoor & Outdoor
Type 4X enclosures are intended for general indoor and outdoor use, primarily to provide some protection against corrosion, wind-blown dust and rain, splashing water, and hose-guided water. and to remain undamaged by the formation of ice on the enclosure.
NEMA 5 replaced by NEMA 12 for ECUs
Type 5 see NEMA 12
NEMA 6 Submersible, Waterproof, Dustproof, and Ice/Sleet Resistant - Indoor & Outdoor
Type 6 enclosures are intended for general indoor or outdoor use, primarily to provide some protection against water ingress during temporary submersion at a limited depth. and to remain undamaged by the formation of ice on the enclosure.
NEMA 7 Underwriters Lab Class 1 Group C&D - Explosion Proof - Indoor
Type 7 enclosures are intended 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 able to withstand the pressures resulting from an internal explosion of certain gases and shall contain such an explosion to such an extent that an explosive gas-air mixture present in the atmosphere surrounding the enclosure is not ignited. Closed heat-generating devices must not cause external surfaces to reach temperatures that can ignite explosive gas-air mixtures in the ambient atmosphere. The enclosures must meet explosion, hydrostatic and temperature tests.
NEMA 8 Underwriters Lab Class 1 Group C&D - Explosion Proof - Indoor
Type 8 is identical to NEMA 7, except that the device is immersed in oil
NEMA 9 Underwriters' Lab Class II - Groups E,F,G - Indoor
Type 9 enclosures are intended for special indoor use in locations classified as hazardous (Class II, Groups E, F, or G, as defined in the National Electrical Code).
Type 9 enclosures must be able to prevent dust from entering. Enclosed heat-generating equipment must not cause external surfaces to reach temperatures likely to ignite or discolour dust on the enclosure or to ignite dust-air mixtures in the ambient atmosphere. The enclosures must pass dust penetration and temperature tests, as well as aging tests of the seals (if used).
NEMA 10 Office of Mines
NEMA 11 Corrosion Resistant & Drip Safe - Oil Dipped - for Indoor Use
NEMA 12 Industrial Use - Dustproof & Drip Tight - Indoor
Type 12 enclosures are primarily intended for indoor industrial use to provide some protection against dust, falling dirt, and dripping, non-corrosive liquids.
NEMA 13 Oil & Dust Tight - Indoor
Type 13 enclosures are primarily intended for indoor industrial use to provide some protection against dust, splash water, and non-corrosive coolant.
Comparison of NEMA and IP package ratings.
This comparison is only an approximation, and it is the user's responsibility to verify the package rating required for each application.
| Chassis Type | |
|---|---|
| IP23 | 1 |
| IP30 | 2 |
| IP32 | 3 |
| IP55 | 4 |
| IP64 | 4x |
| IP65 | 6 |
| IP66 | 12 |
| IP67 | 13 |
The following table is an excerpt from NEMA Standards Publication 250-2003, "Enclosures for electrical equipment (maximum 1000 volts)"
Housing
| Type Number | IEC Enclosure Classification Designation |
|---|---|
| 1 | IP10 |
| 2 | IP11 |
| 3 | IP54 |
| 3R | IP14 |
| 3S | IP54 |
| 4 and 4X | IP56 |
| 5 | IP52 |
| 6 AND 6P | IP67 |
| 12 AND 12K | IP52 |
| 13 | IP54 |
This comparison is based on tests specified in IEC publication 60529
Nor is it the case that Table A-1 above contains an equivalent conversion from the enclosure type numbers in this standard to the IEC enclosure classification designations. Enclosure type numbers meet or exceed the test requirements for the associated IEC classification. For this reason, Table A-1 cannot be used to convert IEC classifications to package type numbers.
