NEMA Enclosure Ratings
The National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) Standards Publication No. 250 defines 13
different enclosure “types” for non-hazardous locations.
These NEMA types define the applications and the
environmental conditions that enclosures are designed to protect against when properly installed.
Type 1: Enclosures 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.
Type 2: Enclosures 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.
Type 3: Enclosures constructed for either indoor or outdoor 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, rain, sleet, snow, and windblown dust; and that will be undamaged by the external formation of
ice on the enclosure.
Type 3R: Enclosures constructed for either indoor or outdoor 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, rain, sleet, snow; and that will be undamaged by the external formation of ice on the enclosure.
Type 3S: Enclosures constructed for either indoor or outdoor 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, rain, sleet, snow, and windblown dust; and in which the external mechanism(s) remain operable
when ice laden.
Type 4: Enclosures constructed for either indoor or outdoor 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, rain, sleet, snow, windblown dust, splashing water, and hose-directed water; and that will be
undamaged by the external formation of ice on the enclosure.
Type 4X: Enclosures constructed for either indoor or outdoor 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, rain, sleet, snow, windblown dust, splashing water, hose-directed water; and corrosion; and that
will be undamaged by the external formation of ice on the enclosure.
Type 5: Enclosures 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;
against settling airborne dust, lint and fiber flyings; and to provide a degree of protection against dripping
and light splashing of liquids.
Type 6: Enclosures constructed for either indoor or outdoor 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; against hose directed water and the entry of water during occasional temporary submersion at a
limited depth; and that will be undamaged by the external formation of ice on the enclosure.
Type 6P: Enclosures constructed for either indoor or outdoor 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; against hose directed water and the entry of water during prolonged submersion at a limited
depth; and that will be undamaged by the external formation of ice on the enclosure.
Type 12: Enclosures constructed (without knockouts) 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; against circulating dust, lint and fiber flyings; and against dripping and light splashing of liquids.
Type 12K: Enclosures constructed (with knockouts) 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; against circulating dust, lint, fiber flyings; and against dripping and light splashing of liquids.
Type 13: Enclosures 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;
against circulating dust, lint and fiber flyings; and against spraying splashing, and seepage of water, oil and
noncorrosive coolants.
If you have any questions about K&H Industries NEMA rated retractable cord reels or power products, or NEMA ratings, please call K&H Industries, 716-549-0135.
Reference: NEMA Standard 250-1997, “Enclosures for Electrical Equipment (1000 Volts Maximum)”