Types of NEMA Electrical Enclosure

General information on the definitions of NEMA enclosure types:
For enclosures used in

Non-Hazardous Locations

Type 1 : General Purpose - Indoor

• 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 : Drip-Proof - Indoor

• 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 : Dusttight, Raintight, Sleettight - Outdoor

• 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 : Raintight, Sleet Resistant - Outdoor

• 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, and snow; and that will be undamaged by the external formation of ice on the enclosure.

Type 3S : Dusttight, Raintight, Sleettight - Outdoor

• 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 : Watertight, Dusttight, Sleet Resistant - Indoor & Outdoor

• 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 : Watertight, Dusttight, Corrosion-Resistant - Indoor & Outdoor

• 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 : Dusttight, Drip-Proof - Indoor

• 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, fibers, and flyings; and to provide a degree of protection against dripping and light splashing of liquids.

Type 6 : Occasionally Submersible, Watertight, Sleet Resistant - Indoor & Outdoor

• 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 : Watertight, Sleet Resistant Prolonged Submersion - Indoor & Outdoor

• 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 : Dusttight and Driptight - Indoor

• 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, fibers, and flyings; and against dripping and light splashing of liquids.

Type 12K : Dusttight and Driptight, with Knockouts - Indoor

• 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, fibers, and flyings; and against dripping and light splashing of liquids.

Type 13 : Oiltight and Dusttight - Indoor

• 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, fibers, and flyings; and against the spraying, splashing, and seepage of water, oil, and noncorrosive coolants.

For enclosures used in

Hazardous Locations

Type 7 : Class I, Group A, B, C or D Hazardous Locations - Indoor

• Enclosures constructed for indoor use in hazardous locations classified as Class I, Division 1, Groups A, B, C, or D as defined in NFPA 70.

Type 8 : Class I, Group A, B, C or D Hazardous Location - Indoor & Outdoor

• Enclosures constructed for either indoor or outdoor use in hazardous locations classified as Class I, Division 1, Groups A, B, C, and D as defined in NFPA 70.

Type 9 : Class II, Group E, F or G Hazardous Locations - Indoor

• Enclosures constructed for indoor use in hazardous locations classified as Class II, Division 1, Groups E, F, or G as defined in NFPA 70.

Type 10 : Requirements of Mine Safety and Health Administration

• Enclosures constructed to meet the requirements of the Mine Safety and Health Administration, 30 CFR, Part 18.

For more detailed and complete information, NEMA Standards Publication 250-2003, Enclosures for Electrical Equipment (1000 Volts Maximum) should be consulted.