NEMA and IP

There are two major electrical manufacturing organizations monitoring product enclosures and/or their degree of
protection; each organization also publishes technical manufacturing standards. The National Electrical Manufac-
turers Association (NEMA) Standard No. 250 2003 addresses non-hazardous locations, enclosure design and
its environmental performance requirements. These are referred to as NEMA Types. (www.nema.org)

The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) 60529 Standard addresses Ingress Protection (IP); this
describes the degree of enclosure protection provided, not the enclosure itself. The first digit of the IP Code des-
ignation describes the degree of protection against the ingress of solids; the second digit designates the degree
of protection against the ingress of liquids. IP Codes support NEMA Type designations. (www.iec.ch)

Digital Systems Engineering designs mobile computers and sealed monitors to exceed Standard Sections NEMA
6P and IP68; these units incorporate a range of environmentally-sealed connectors and enclosures engineered to
provide a safe and secure dust and waterproof environment in harsh rugged conditions, meeting NEMA 6P and
IP68 summarized as: protection against objects (dust-tight) and ingress penetration against liquids at occasional
submersion, at up to depths of 10 m (33 ft).

The following information is taken from both electrical industry Standards; it matches NEMA Ratings with its IP
counterpart, with a brief description of each rating.

NEMA Rating and IP Equivalency Chart

NEMA IP NEMA Definition IP Against IP Against
Rating Equivalent
Objects Liquids
1 = Protected against
Enclosures constructed for indoor use; to provide a degree of protection to solid foreign objects of
1 IP10 personnel against incidental contact with the enclosed equipment and to
5 cm (2 in) diameter and
0 = Not protected
provide a degree of protection against falling dirt
greater

Enclosures constructed for indoor use; to provide a degree of protection to 1 = Protected against 1 = Protected against
personnel against incidental contact with the enclosed equipment; to provide solid foreign objects of
2 IP11 a degree of protection against falling dirt, and to provide a degree of protec- 5 cm (2 in) diameter and
vertically falling water
tion against dripping and light splashing of liquids drops
greater

Enclosures constructed for indoor or outdoor use; to provide a degree of 4 = Protected against
protection to personnel against incidental contact with the enclosed equip- 5 = Protected against
water sprayed from all
3 IP54 ment; to provide a degree of protection against falling dirt, rain, sleet, snow dust; limited to ingress
directions; limited to
and windblown dust; and that will be undamaged by external formation of ice (no harmful deposit)
on the enclosure ingress permitted

Enclosures constructed for indoor or outdoor use; to provide a degree of pro- 1 = Protected against 4 = Protected against
tection to personnel against incidental contact with the enclosed equipment; solid foreign objects of water sprayed from all
3R IP14 to provide a degree of protection against falling dirt, rain, sleet and snow; and 5 cm (2 in) diameter and directions; limited to
that will be undamaged by external formation of ice on the enclosure greater ingress permitted

Enclosures constructed for indoor or outdoor use; to provide a degree of 4 = Protected against
protection to personnel against incidental contact with the enclosed equip- 5 = Protected against
water sprayed from all
3S IP54 ment; to provide a degree of protection against falling dirt, rain, sleet, snow dust; limited to ingress
directions; limited to
and windblown dust; and in which the external mechanism(s) remain operable (no harmful deposit)
when ice laden ingress permitted

Enclosures constructed for indoor or outdoor use; to provide a degree of 6 = Protected against
protection to personnel against incidental contact with the enclosed equip- 5 = Protected against
strong jets of water from
4 IP56 ment; to provide a degree of protection against falling dirt, rain, sleet, snow, dust; limited to ingress
all directions; limited to
windblown dust, splashing water and hose-directed water; and that will be (no harmful deposit)
undamaged by external formation of ice on the enclosure ingress permitted

Enclosures constructed for indoor or outdoor use; to provide a degree of 6 = Protected against
protection to personnel against incidental contact with the enclosed equip- 5 = Protected against
strong jets of water from
4X IP56 ment; to provide a degree of protection against falling dirt, rain, sleet, snow, dust; limited to ingress
all directions; limited to
windblown dust, splashing water and hose-directed water, and corrosion; and (no harmful deposit)
that will be undamaged by external formation of ice on the enclosure ingress permitted

Enclosures constructed for indoor use; to provide a degree of protection to

personnel against incidental contact with the enclosed equipment; to provide 5 = Protected against 2 = Protected against
5 IP52 a degree of protection against falling dirt; against settling airborne dust, lint, dust; limited to ingress direct sprays of water up
fibers and flyings: and to provide a degree of protection against dripping and (no harmful deposit) to 15 from the vertical
light splashing of liquids
Enclosures constructed for indoor or outdoor use; to provide a degree of pro-
tection to personnel against incidental contact with the enclosed equipment; 7 = Protected against
to provide a degree of protection against falling dirt; against hose-directed 6 = Totally protected effects of submersion
6 IP67 water and the entry of water during occasional temporary submersion at a against entry of dust from 15 cm (6 in) to 1
limited depth; and that will be undamaged by external formation of ice on the m (3 ft)
enclosure
Enclosures constructed for indoor or outdoor use; to provide a degree of pro-
tection to personnel against incidental contact with the enclosed equipment; 8 = Protected against
to provide a degree of protection against falling dirt; against hose-directed 6 = Totally protected the effects of occasional
6P IP68 water and the entry of water during occasional prolonged submersion at a against entry of dust submersion in water, up
limited depth; and that will be undamaged by external formation of ice on the to 10 m (33 ft)
enclosure

Enclosures constructed (without knockouts) for indoor use; to provide a

degree of protection to personnel against incidental contact with the enclosed 5 = Protected against 2 = Protected against
12 IP52 equipment; to provide a degree of protection against falling dirt; against dust; limited to ingress direct sprays of water up
circulating dust, lint, fibers and flyings: and to provide a degree of protection (no harmful deposit) to 15 from the vertical
to against dripping and light splashing of liquids

Enclosures constructed with knockout(s) for indoor use; to provide a degree

of protection to personnel against incidental contact with the enclosed equip- 5 = Protected against 2 = Protected against
12K IP52 ment; to provide a degree of protection against falling dirt; against circulating dust; limited to ingress direct sprays of water up
dust, lint, fibers and flyings: and to provide a degree of protection to against (no harmful deposit) to 15 from the vertical
dripping and light splashing of liquids
Enclosures constructed for indoor use; to provide a degree of protection to 4 = Protected against
personnel against incidental contact with the enclosed equipment; to provide 5 = Protected against
water sprayed from all
13 IP54 a degree of protection against falling dirt; against circulating dust, lint, fibers dust; limited to ingress
directions; limited to
and flyings: and against the spraying, splashing and seepage of water, oil and (no harmful deposit)
non-corrosive coolants. ingress permitted