What are they?
Choosing the appropriate equipment in accordance with NEMA (National Electrical Manufacturers Association) rating is very important for protecting and ensuring reliable performance of the lighting systems. Different installation conditions and environments require different levels of protection. Understanding these ratings helps professionals to match the right fixture enclosure and to prevent costly equipment damage or code issues.
Before we go further, let us dive into what is NEMA enclosure rating?
Established by the National Electrical Manufacturers Association, a NEMA rating indicates how effectively an electrical enclosure protects its internal components from dust, water, corrosion, and other environmental hazards. Used primarily in the United States, these ratings apply to electrical panels, disconnects, control enclosures, industrial equipment, and lighting fixtures.
NEMA type 1 Enclosures.
NEMA type 1 enclosures are designed for use in indoor, clean, and dry environments where there is no exposure to water or excessive dust. It is best used for electrical panels inside buildings, lighting control panels, utility rooms and closets, and commercial/residential interiors. This type of enclosure should not be used outdoors or in areas exposed to moisture.
NEMA type 2 Enclosures.
NEMA type 2 enclosures are constructed for indoor use to provide a degree of protection against access to hazardous parts; to provide a degree of protection of the equipment inside the enclosure against ingress of solid foreign objects (falling dirt); and to provide a degree of protection with respect to harmful effects on the equipment due to the ingress of water (dripping and light splashing).
NEMA type 4 Enclosures.
NEMA type 4 enclosures are built for environments where equipment may be exposed to water spray or washdown. It is best used in commercial kitchens, food processing facilities, car washes, and wet industrial environments. It provided protection due to its watertight construction, protection against splashing and hose-directed water, and they are suitable for indoor and outdoor use. This type of enclosures are not inherently corrosion resistant unless made from specific materials.
NEMA type 4X Enclosures.
NEMA type 4X enclosures provide the highest level of protection among the ratings with extra protection against corrosion in either indoor or outdoor harsh environments.
It is best used in coastal and marine environments, chemical plants, wastewater treatment facilities, food and beverage processing, and outdoor installations with corrosive exposure.
These types of enclosures are ideal for environments with salt air, chemicals, or frequent washdowns.
An extra “X” after 4 means it adds an extra protection against rust and corrosion. It is usually made from stainless steel, fiberglass, or special plastics.
NEMA type 5 Enclosures.
NEMA type 5 enclosures are constructed for indoor use to provide a degree of protection against settling airborne dust, falling dirt, lint, and fibers; and to provide a degree of protection with respect to harmful effects on the equipment/lighting fixtures due to ingress of water (dripping non-corrosive liquids and light splashing).
NEMA type 6 Enclosures.
NEMA type 6 enclosures are constructed for either indoor or outdoor use to protect against access to hazardous parts; to provide a degree of protection against ingress of solid foreign objects such as falling dirt; to provide a degree of protection against hose-directed water, damage from external ice formation, and the entry of water during occasional temporary submersion at a limited depth.
NEMA type 6P enclosures.
NEMA type 6P enclosures are constructed for either indoor or outdoor use to protect against access to hazardous parts; to provide a degree of protection against ingress of solid foreign objects such as falling dirt; to provide a degree of protection against hose-directed water, damage from external ice formation, and the entry of water during occasionally prolonged submersion at a limited depth ); and to provide an additional level of protection against corrosion and that will be undamaged by the external formation of ice on the enclosure.
NEMA type 12 enclosures.
NEMA type 12 enclosures are constructed (without knockouts) for indoor use to provide a degree of protection against circulating dust or fibers, falling dirt and dripping non-corrosive liquids.
This type of enclosure is ideal for industrial or commercial environments where dust and airborne debris is in dirty indoor areas such as in warehouses and manufacturing facilities, industrial control panels, and factory automation systems. It offers protection for dust-tight construction, against dirt, lint, fiber, and circulating dust, and limited protection against non-pressurized dripping liquids. This type of enclosure is for indoor use only and is not designed for outdoor exposure.
NEMA type 12K enclosures.
NEMA type 12K enclosures are constructed (with knockouts) for indoor use to provide a degree of protection against circulating dust or fibers, falling dirt and dripping and light splashing of non-corrosive liquids.
NEMA type 13 enclosures.
NEMA type 13 enclosures are constructed for indoor use to provide a degree of protection against access to hazardous parts (falling dirt, dust, lint, and fibers); to provide a degree of protection against the spraying, splashing of water, and seepage of oil and noncorrosive coolants.
Is there a difference between NEMA 4 and NEMA 4X?
In general, they are very similar. The only difference between NEMA 4 and NEMA 4X enclosures is that NEMA 4X adds mandatory protection against corrosion. Both ratings offer the same basic physical shielding against harsh weather and water.
Is NEMA type 4X waterproof?
NEMA type 4X enclosures are highly water-resistant and protected against powerful water jets, however, they are not waterproof because they cannot be submerged in water. NEMA type 4X ratings do not cover being placed underwater. For submersible applications, NEMA type 6 or 6P ratings equipment will work to survive temporary or continuous submersion.
Is NEMA type 4X explosion-proof?
No, NEMA type 4X rating equipment is not explosion-proof. It keeps out water, ice, windblown dust, and severe corrosion. It works well in wet, dirty, or salty outdoor/indoor locations (like washdown zones or marine areas).
What type of NEMA rating is Explosion-Proof?
NEMA type 7 rating. This is the standard for explosion-proof enclosures in indoor Class I, Division 1 hazardous areas with flammable gases or vapors. NEMA type 9 rating equipment is used for indoors in hazardous locations with combustible dust classified as Class II, Division 1 and 2. They are heavily built with explosion-proof boxes and thick aluminum cast or stainless steel to contain an internal blast.
What does NEMA-4X/ETL Sanitation mean?
A NEMA-4X/ETL Sanitation designation means the light fixture is dual-certified to be highly water-resistant and chemical-proof (NEMA 4X), while also meeting strict food safety and hygiene standards (ETL Sanitation). This combination is the gold standard for equipment used in harsh commercial environments, such as food processing plants, commercial kitchens, breweries, and pharmaceutical labs, where machinery must be heavily hosed down and sanitized daily without breaking or harboring bacteria.
What does this mean in practice if we are installing a NEMA-4X/ETL Sanitation rating lighting fixture in a meat processing line? It will allow the cleaning crew to spray the machine or lighting fixture down directly with chemical sanitizer and high-pressure hot water. It will not rust, it will not short-circuit, and health inspectors will instantly recognize it as a compliant, food-safe device.
NaturaLED offers Vapor Tight NEMA-4X rated fixtures with ETL Sanitation listed products in multiple sizes to meet your application. For more information, contact us at 909-930-6868 or info@naturaled.com.
