{"id":13369,"date":"2020-08-05T13:37:47","date_gmt":"2020-08-05T18:37:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.wika.com\/us\/\/?p=13369"},"modified":"2023-08-23T01:10:45","modified_gmt":"2023-08-23T06:10:45","slug":"nema-rating-and-ip-rating-explaining-the-difference","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.wika.com\/us\/knowhow\/nema-rating-and-ip-rating-explaining-the-difference\/","title":{"rendered":"NEMA Rating and IP Rating: Explaining the Difference Between the Two Designations"},"content":{"rendered":"

For optimal safety and performance, electrical equipment needs to be sheltered from the environment. Both a NEMA rating and an IP rating indicate the level of protection a device has against outside conditions, ranging from falling dust to ocean waves. These two designations differ in their methods, parameters, and categories.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

When selecting a pressure sensor or transmitter<\/a>, one important factor to consider is how well its enclosure or case protects sensors against the elements and possibility of explosions. Common and seemingly innocuous environmental conditions, such as dust or moisture<\/a>, can lead to errors or malfunctions, both of which negatively impacts performance and safety.<\/span><\/p>\n

Two organizations make it easy to understand the level of protection a product has. The National Electrical Manufactures Association (NEMA)\u00a0<\/strong>has come up with many NEMA Enclosure Types, commonly called \u201cNEMA rating,\u201d specifically for electrical equipment. The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC)\u00a0<\/strong>has created a numerical system to categorize almost any kind of item that covers or surrounds. Ingress Protection (IP) codes deals with more than just electronic enclosures, and it considers only solids and liquids.<\/p>\n

These rating systems are similar in the sense that they classify the quality and quantity of incursions. However, the two use different testing parameters and, thus, are not directly comparable or easily converted. Additionally, IP ratings deal only with ingress, while NEMA ratings are more comprehensive, considering other factors such as corrosion<\/a> and the instrument\u2019s physical location. <\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

What Are NEMA Ratings?<\/span><\/h2>\n

NEMA ratings, widely used in the United States, are based on the NEMA 250 standard \u201cEnclosures for Electrical Equipment (1000 Volts Maximum).\u201d They indicate the level of protection a device has, ranging from falling dust to corrosive media. All NEMA ratings assume that the enclosure protects personnel against hazardous parts.<\/span><\/p>\n

NEMA ratings 1\u20136 and 12\u201313 are for nonhazardous locations, Type 11 deals with corrosion, and Types 7\u201310 qualify enclosures for hazardous (explosive) locations and also incorporate other industry guidelines, namely Underwriters Laboratories (UL) Class I or II requirements and Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) standards. This table summarizes the most common NEMA ratings:<\/span><\/p>\n

NEMA Enclosure Types<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
\n

RATING<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

DEVICE LOCATION<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

ENCLOSURE PROTECTS AGAINST\u2026<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n

\n

NEMA 1<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

indoors<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 falling dirt<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

NEMA 2<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

indoors<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 falling dirt<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 dripping and light splashing water<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

NEMA 3<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

indoors\/outdoors<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 falling dirt, windblown dust<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 rain, sleet, snow<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

NEMA 3R<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

indoors\/outdoors<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 falling dirt<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 rain, sleet, snow <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 damage from external formation of ice <\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

NEMA 3S<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

outdoors<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 falling dirt, windblown dust<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 rain, sleet , snow<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 solid ice (external mechanism remains operable)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

NEMA 4<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

indoors\/outdoors<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 falling dirt, windblown dust<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 rain, sleet, snow<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 splashing water, hose-directed water<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

NEMA 4X<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

indoors\/outdoors<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 falling dirt, windblown dust<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 rain, sleet, snow<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 splashing water, hose-directed water<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 corrosion <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 damage from external formation of ice<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

NEMA 5<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

primarily indoors<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 falling dirt, settling airborne dust, lint, fibers <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 dripping and light splashing water <\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

NEMA 6<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

indoors\/outdoors<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 falling dirt<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 hose-directed water<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 temporary submersion at limited depth<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 damage from external formation of ice <\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

NEMA 7<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

indoors<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 internal explosions as by <\/span>UL Class I, Groups C & D explosion-proof requirements<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

NEMA 8<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

indoors\/outdoors<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 combustion as per by <\/span>UL Class I, Groups C & D explosion-proof requirements<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

NEMA 9<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

indoors<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 dust ignition as per <\/span>UL Class II, Groups E, F, G requirements<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

NEMA 10<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

indoors\/outdoors<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 internal explosions as per MSHA standards<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

NEMA 11<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

indoors<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 dripping corrosive liquids, corrosive gases<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

NEMA 12<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

indoors<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 falling dirt, circulating dust, lint, fibers<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 dripping and light splashing water<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

NEMA 13<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

indoors<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 falling dirt, circulating dust, lint, fibers<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 dripping and light splashing water <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 spraying, splashing, and seeping oil<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 non-corrosive coolants<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

red = hazardous conditions<\/em><\/sup><\/h3>\n

What Are IP Ratings?<\/span><\/h2>\n

IP (Ingress Protection) ratings, based on the IEC 60529<\/a>international standard, use a two-digit system. The first digit denotes protection against various solid intrusions, ranging from 0 (no protection at all) to 6. The second digit denotes protection against various liquid intrusions and uses a similar ranking, but going to 9K. As an example, most umbrellas are IP01: 0 = no protection against solids, and 1 = protection against water drops falling vertically. <\/span><\/p>\n

IP is the preferred coding system in the European Union, but it is increasingly used in the U.S. and other countries as well. This table lists the IP rating codes and their general allowable conditions:<\/span><\/p>\n

IP RATING CODES<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
\n

FIRST DIGIT: PROTECTION AGAINST SOLIDS <\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/th>\n

\n

SECOND DIGIT: PROTECTION AGAINST LIQUIDS <\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

0<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

no protection<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

0<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

no protection<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

1<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

object > 50 mm (2″)<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

e.g., hands, larger animals<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

1<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

water drops, falling from vertical<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

2<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

object > 12 mm (.5″)<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

e.g., fingers, smaller animals<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

2<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

water sprays, 1<\/span><\/strong>5\u00b0 from vertical<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

3<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

object > 2.5 mm (.01″)<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

e.g., thick wires, tools, insects<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

3<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

water sprays, < <\/span><\/strong>60\u00b0 from the vertical<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

4<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

object > 1 mm (0.04″)<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

e.g., thin wires<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

4<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

water drops and sprays, any direction<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

limited ingress permitted<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

5<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

dust resistant<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

limited ingress permitted<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

5<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

water jets and sprays, low pressure<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

limited ingress permitted<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

6<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

dust proof<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

6<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

water jets, high pressure<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

e.g., <\/span><\/em>strong jets, waves, heavy seas<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

7<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

immersion in water, limited duration <\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

as per stated pressure and time conditions<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

8<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

immersion in water, indefinite duration<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

under specified pressures<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

9K<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

steam jet, high temperature and high pressure<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

K = as per ISO 20653<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

\u00a0<\/span>The following are some items and their IP ratings:<\/span><\/p>\n