Engineering Data
Comparison of Specific Applications
of Enclosures for Indoor Nonhazardous Locations
Enclosure Type
Provides a degree of protection
against the following environmental conditions
Incidental contact with the enclosed equipment
Falling Dirt
Falling liquids and light splashing
Circulating dust, lint, fibers and flyings**
Settling airborne dust, lint, fibers and flyings**
Hosedown and splashing water
Oil and coolant seepage
Oil or coolant spraying and splashing
Corrosive agents
Occasional temporary submersion
Occasional prolonged submersion
1*
4
4X
12
12K
13
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
* These enclosures may be ventilated.
** These fibers and flying are nonhazardous materials and are not considered the Class III type ignitable fibers or combustible flyings. For Class III
type ignitable fibers or combustible flyings see the National Electrical Code, Article 500.
Comparison of Specific Applications
of Enclosures for Outdoor Nonhazardous Locations
Enclosure Type
Engineering Data
Provides a degree of protection
against the following environmental conditions:
Incidental contact with the enclosed equipment
Rain, snow and sleet*
Sleet**
Windblown dust
Hosedown
Corrosive agents
Occasional temporary submersion
Occasional prolonged submersion
3
3R***
X
X
X
X
X
4
4X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
* External operating mechanisms are not required to be operable when the enclosure is ice covered.
** External operating mechanisms are operable when the enclosure is ice covered.
*** These enclosures may be ventilated.
“This material is reproduced by permission of the National Electrical Manufacturers Association from
NEMA Standards Publication 250, copyright 1996 by NEMA.”
Eaton
460
B-Line series electrical enclosures
Engineering Data
Comparison Between NEMA Enclosure Type Numbers
and IEC Enclosure Classification Designations
IEC Publication 529 Classification of Degrees of Protection Provided by Enclosures provides a system for
specifying the enclosures of electrical equipment on the basis of degree of protection provided by the
enclosure. IEC 529 does not specify degrees of protection against mechanical damage of equipment, risk of
explosions, or conditions such as moisture (produced for example by condensation), corrosive vapors, fungus
or vermin. NEMA Standards Publication 250 does test for environmental conditions such as corrosion, rust,
icing, oil and coolants. For this reason, and because the tests and evaluations for other characteristics are not
identical, the IEC Enclosure Classification Designations cannot be exactly equated with NEMA Enclosure Type
Numbers.
The IEC designation consists of the letters IP followed by two numerals. The first characteristic numeral
indicates the degree of protection provided by the enclosure with respect to persons and solid foreign objects
entering the enclosure. The second characteristic numeral indicates the degree of protection provided by the
enclosure with respect to the harmful ingress of water.
Table A-1 provides an equivalent conversion from NEMA Enclosure Type Numbers to IEC Enclosure
Classification Designations. The NEMA Types meet or exceed the test requirements for the associated IEC
Classifications; for this reason Table A-1 cannot be used to convert from IEC Classifications to NEMA Types.
Table A-1
Conversion of NEMA Type Numbers to IEC Classification Designations
(Cannot be used to convert IEC Classification Designations to NEMA Type Numbers)
NEMA Enclosure
Type Number
IEC Enclosure
Classification Designation
1
IP20
2
IP22
3
IP55
3R
IP24
3S
IP55
4 and 4X
IP66
5
IP53
6 and 6P
IP67
12 and 12K
IP54
13
IP54
Note: This comparison is based on tests specified in IEC Publication 529.
Engineering Data
Components Suitable for Closing Openings in Enclosures
Enclosure
Type
Openings shall be closed by equipment
rated for enclosure types
3
3, 3S, 4, 4X
3R
3, 3R, 3S, 4, 4X
4
4, 4X
4X
4X
12,12K
12, 12K, 13, 4, 4X
13
13
B-Line series electrical enclosures
461
Eaton