Electrical Enclosure Types by NEMA

Reference guide for NEMA electrical enclosure types used in hazardous and non-hazardous locations, including their classifications, protection features, and applications.

TypeNameLocationKey FeaturesDescription
1General PurposeIndoorIncidental contact protection, falling dirt protectionEnclosures constructed for indoor use to provide a degree of protection to personnel against incidental contact with the enclosed equipment and to provide a degree of protection against falling dirt.
2Drip-ProofIndoorIncidental contact, falling dirt, dripping and light splashingEnclosures constructed for indoor use to provide a degree of protection to personnel against incidental contact with the enclosed equipment, to provide a degree of protection against falling dirt, and to provide a degree of protection against dripping and light splashing of liquids.
3Dust tight, Rain tight, Sleet tightOutdoorFalling dirt, rain, sleet, snow, windblown dust, ice resistanceEnclosures constructed for either indoor or outdoor use to provide a degree of protection to personnel against incidental contact with the enclosed equipment and to provide a degree of protection against falling dirt, rain, sleet, snow, and windblown dust.
3RRain tight, Sleet ResistantOutdoorFalling dirt, rain, sleet, snow, ice resistanceEnclosures constructed for either indoor or outdoor use to provide a degree of protection to personnel against incidental contact with the enclosed equipment and to provide a degree of protection against falling dirt, rain, sleet, and snow.
3SDust tight, Rain tight, Sleet tight (Operable)OutdoorFalling dirt, rain, sleet, snow, windblown dust, operable mechanisms in iceEnclosures constructed for either indoor or outdoor use to provide a degree of protection to personnel against incidental contact with the enclosed equipment and external mechanism(s) remain operable when ice laden.
4Watertight, Dust tight, Sleet ResistantIndoor & OutdoorFalling dirt, rain, sleet, snow, windblown dust, splashing water, hose-directed water, ice resistanceEnclosures constructed for either indoor or outdoor use to provide a degree of protection to personnel against incidental contact with the enclosed equipment and to provide a degree of protection against falling dirt, rain, sleet, snow, windblown dust, splashing water, and hose-directed water.
4XWatertight, Dust tight, Corrosion-ResistantIndoor & OutdoorFalling dirt, rain, sleet, snow, windblown dust, splashing water, hose-directed water, corrosion resistance, ice resistanceEnclosures constructed for either indoor or outdoor use to provide a degree of protection to personnel against incidental contact with the enclosed equipment and to provide a degree of protection against falling dirt, rain, sleet, snow, windblown dust, splashing water, hose-directed water, and corrosion.
5Dust tight, Drip-ProofIndoorFalling dirt, airborne dust lint fibers, dripping and light splashingEnclosures constructed for indoor use to provide a degree of protection to personnel against incidental contact with the enclosed equipment and to provide a degree of protection against falling dirt and settling airborne dust, lint, fibers, and flyings.
6Occasionally Submersible, Watertight, Sleet ResistantIndoor & OutdoorFalling dirt, hose-directed water, occasional temporary submersion, ice resistanceEnclosures constructed for either indoor or outdoor use to provide a degree of protection to personnel against incidental contact with the enclosed equipment and against hose-directed water and the entry of water during occasional temporary submersion at a limited depth.
6PWatertight, Sleet Resistant Prolonged SubmersionIndoor & OutdoorFalling dirt, hose-directed water, prolonged submersion, ice resistanceEnclosures constructed for either indoor or outdoor use to provide a degree of protection to personnel against incidental contact with the enclosed equipment and against hose-directed water and the entry of water during prolonged submersion at a limited depth.
12Dust tight and Drip tight (No Knockouts)IndoorFalling dirt, circulating dust lint fibers, dripping and light splashingEnclosures constructed without knockouts for indoor use to provide a degree of protection to personnel against incidental contact with the enclosed equipment and against falling dirt, circulating dust, lint, fibers, and flyings.
12KDust tight and Drip tight (With Knockouts)IndoorFalling dirt, circulating dust lint fibers, dripping and light splashing, knockouts providedEnclosures constructed with knockouts for indoor use to provide a degree of protection to personnel against incidental contact with the enclosed equipment and against falling dirt, circulating dust, lint, fibers, and flyings.
13Oil tight and Dust tightIndoorFalling dirt, circulating dust lint fibers, spraying splashing and seepage of water oil and coolantsEnclosures constructed for indoor use to provide a degree of protection to personnel against incidental contact with the enclosed equipment and against falling dirt, circulating dust, lint, fibers, and flyings.
7Class I, Group A, B, C or DIndoorHazardous location protection, Class I Division 1Enclosures constructed for indoor use in hazardous locations classified as Class I, Division 1, Groups A, B, C, or D as defined in NFPA 70.
8Class I, Group A, B, C or DIndoor & OutdoorHazardous location protection, Class I Division 1Enclosures constructed for either indoor or outdoor use in hazardous locations classified as Class I, Division 1, Groups A, B, C, and D as defined in NFPA 70.
9Class II, Group E, F or GIndoorHazardous location protection, Class II Division 1Enclosures constructed for indoor use in hazardous locations classified as Class II, Division 1, Groups E, F, or G as defined in NFPA 70.
10Mine Safety and Health AdministrationIndoor & OutdoorMining application requirements, MSHA complianceEnclosures constructed to meet the requirements of the Mine Safety and Health Administration, 30 CFR, Part 18.
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