Enclosure uses are dependant on the NEMA rating. The most common enclosure uses. Enclosure are mainly for electrical boxes, control boxes, and protect valuable equipment. The National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) developed rating standards for electrical enclosures. Each rating has different specifications, but all of them are designed to help protect electrical components, personnel, environments, and the property in question, safe. It is a system of measurement, more than anything. But, NEMA standards are high. The NEMA mark is a trademark of the National Electrical Manufacturers Association for its trade association services and publications, and it is used solely in connection with designating the National Electrical Manufacturers Association as the source of collateral for those goods and services, it isn’t a certification or conformity assessment mark.

Steeline Enclosure Solutions focuses on designing and manufacturing high-quality electrical control enclosures that are used in a wide series of industries in the U.S., and even abroad. Steeline designs and fabricates our own steel enclosures for leading, original equipment manufacturers, for a broad range of industries and environments, rated NEMA 1, 3, 3R, 3S, 4, 4X, 6, 6P, 12 or 13.

Some of the most common enclosure uses and type ratings of NEMA enclosures are:

NEMA Type 1

Used for indoor commercial applications such as a junction, switch, and utility boxes, NEMA Type 1 electrical enclosures require the least amount of protection. They will be found in environments that pose the risk of falling dirt, but no risk of airborne contaminants or exposure to splashing liquids. If these are enclosures require any sort of climate control, the contents within are generally considered safe, so filtered fans will be able to both cool and remove any sort of dust, dirt, or debris while still cooling the NEMA type 1 enclosure.

NEMA Type 3R

NEMA Type 3R enclosures can be used either inside or outside, typically used for meter cabinets or utility boxes. Because they are designed to be weatherproof, they can withstand all elements (i.e., rain, snow, and windblown particles). Filtered fans can also be used to cool these types of enclosures.

NEMA Type 4

NEMA Type 4 steel enclosures are used in industrial applications such as wiring enclosures, hydraulic controls, and operator consoles. NEMA Type 4 enclosures are watertight and will protect against all types of weather and direct hose blasts in factory washdown environments. NEMA Type 4 enclosures must use a closed-loop cooling system to ensure that no contaminants enter the unit. If you need to cool the contents or electronics within this unit, it is recommended that an air conditioner is used. You may also try an ‘air-to-air’ heat exchanger.

NEMA Type 4X

Close to the NEMA Type 4 enclosures, the Type 4X enclosure will provide additional protection against corrosion. 4X enclosures are used in marine environments; industrial food processing; water treatment; oil and gas drilling, refining and processing; and paper manufacturing applications. Similar to the Type 4 enclosure, air-to-air heat exchange cooling methods or an air conditioner may be used to cool a NEMA type 4x enclosure.

NEMA Type 12

NEMA Type 12 enclosures are designed to be dust-tight for indoor use, but not necessarily as watertight as NEMA Type 4 enclosures. Yes, they do provide protection against some splashing, but they do not provide sufficient protection in an extreme washdown environment with high-pressure hoses. Like the NEMA Type 4, and NEMA Type 4x, air-to-air heat exchange cooling methods or an air conditioner may be used to cool a NEMA type 12 enclosure.

What kind of application are you working with? What do you need help protecting? Contact Steeline today!