Rizal Technological University

College of Engineering, Architecture and Technology

Department of Instrumentation and Control Engineering

Instrumentation Engineering

TOPIC 5:
INSTRUMENT ENCLOSURE/NEMA RATING/ IP RATING

Submitted by:

Cabela, Chiqui Elaine

Fullido, Arriane Charisse
Biares, Jeorgene
Trogue, Kenneth
Maranda, Alexzander
Noarin, Mart Niño

BS INSTRUMENTATION AND CONRTOL ENGINEERING

Submitted to:
Engr. John Yasay
Instructor
I. INSTRUMENT ENCLOSURE

Enclosures are commonly known as „protective housing‟ for a variety of products and
items. According to Oxford Dictionaries, an enclosure is an „artificial or natural barrier that seals
off an area‟ and they are commonly used for electronics product.

Electrical Enclosures are core safety features of a robust electrical system. They have a
two-pronged purpose of not only protecting users from live parts of an electrical system but are
also designed to protect electrical wiring and /or equipment from harsh environments, related to
severe weather conditions or industrial hazards. Today‟s enclosures are built to provide a lifetime
of service when the correct enclosure is used to meet the specific needs for a service or
application (Automation Direct).

Enclosures are designed in a range of shapes and sizes to offer various solutions and
serve various applications. The following enclosure types are the most used enclosures.

A. Types of Electrical/Instrument Enclosures

1. Wall-mount: mounted directly on a wall and to

protect electrical controls, terminals, instruments, and
components while providing protection from dust, dirt, oil,
and water. This are used for many applications available in
NEMA/IP protection ratings.

2. Floor-mount and Freestanding: mounted on the floor with feet

supporters that permit them to stand on a hard surface to be bolted on a secure
location permanently.

3. Junction Boxes: are designed and manufactured to meet Joint

Industrial Council (JIC) standard guidelines that ensure product quality and
uniformity. It is used for surface-mounted junction boxes, service boxes,
switch boxes and cut-out boxes. Many of these junction boxes are NEMA 1 and
NEMA 3R and include pre-punched knockouts for easier cable entry.

4. Pushbutton Enclosures: are design for commercial and industrial

application that require enclosures that mount push buttons, pilot lights and
switches. They are basically enclosures with pre-cut standard 22.5mm or 30.5mm
openings that allow easy mounting of pushbuttons, switches, indicators, and other
pilot devices.
 5. RSP Supply Disconnect Enclosures: are designed to have an
electrical shut-off switch outside the enclosure which shuts off the breaker
before opening it. Thus, it is often used for the safety of people working on or
around the enclosure, for the protection of the equipment in the box, and to meet
legal requirements. For wall-mount, floor-mount, or freestanding installations,
models in various NEMA ratings are compatible with disconnects and operating
mechanisms from various manufacturers.

6. Consoles and Consolets: used for housing

instruments and HMIs, pushbuttons, switches, and other pilot
devices. It also allows operators to access the devices and
operate systems and machinery. Consoles and consolets are
heavy duty constructed enclosures that protect contents from
dirt, dust, oil and water, and are available in various types
including freestanding consoles, operator consoles, console tops, pushbutton
consolets, writing desktops, pedestal and bases.

7. Sloped top Enclosures: is intended for use where sanitation concerns

require frequent washdowns. It has a 20° slope top to avoid water accumulation
and debris. Sloped top enclosures are ideal for housing electrical and electronic
components for applications in harsh and dirty environments where dust, dirt, oil,
water, and other contaminants are present and applications requiring washdowns.

8. Windowed and Clear Cover Enclosures: it is used to allow the

operator to view inside the console without opening and exposing the internal
components of the enclosure.

9. Dual Access Enclosures: this enclosure provides additional access

from the rear side of the enclosure if necessary.

10. Flush-Mount Enclosures: this enclosure has an external frame that allows to be
sunken/recessed in wall. Most typically used in applications where external space
is limited or in high traffic area.
II. SELECTION CONSIDERATION

When selecting enclosures, correct size and adequate protection are the priorities. When
considering quality of protection, material type and professional rating systems are the deciding
factors. Additional features such as ventilated sections or insulation may be important depending
on the application.

A. Sizes and Shapes

Electronic enclosures and instrument enclosures are typically rectangular, slanted, t-

shape, or readout style. The top and bottom surfaces of a rectangular enclosure are parallel while
the sides may be angled. Slanted enclosures are also generally rectangular in shape with the top
surface angled relative to bottom surface. T-shaped enclosures are generally used in handheld
applications. The "handle” or lower portion of the enclosure is narrower than the upper portion
of the enclosure. A readout style enclosure is a rectangular enclosure with a section of top
surface sloped, typically for LCD readout.

B. Material Types

The amount of protection and durability an enclosure depends largely on its material
composition. Most electronic and instrument enclosures are made from materials classified as
either metals or polymers.

1. Metals generally exhibit higher conductivity to both heat and electricity than other
material types. Steel is widely used to form enclosures because of its strength and malleability.
Stainless steel is used rather than standard steel in environments requiring corrosion resistance
and lightweight materials. Aluminum is a less expensive, lightweight, and more conductive
metal that exhibits good resistance to oxidation.

2. Polymers are nonmetal materials with varying properties. ABS is a hard, rigid,
inexpensive thermoplastic polymer that has good chemical and creep resistance, but is prone to
cracking under stress. Fiberglass is a strong, durable, reinforced polymer that is resistant to many
caustics and extreme temperatures. Polycarbonate exhibits excellent impact strength and can be
molded to tight tolerances, but has only moderate resistance to chemical corrosion. Polystyrene
is used for its rigidity, hardness, heat, and dimensional stability and because of its ease of
fabrication.
III. NATIONAL ELECTRICAL MANUFACTURERES ASSOCIATION
A. NEMA

National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) is an organization developed to

form the technical standards for the manufacturing of lectrical equipment and medical imaging
equipment. It works to set industry standards for safety, innovation, interoperability,
environment and market enhancement of our industry.

A standard of NEMA defines a product in reference to its attributes and capabilities. We

produce quality enclosures in a variety of materials, types and NEMA ratings.

B. NEMA RATING

Although the NEMA organization oversees a variety of responsibilities in the electrical

manufacturing industry, they are most closely associated with the term “NEMA ratings” and the
type of enclosure an electrical component is built with.

New NEMA ratings are published every fifth year and are used to protect electrical
equipment from damage due to liquids, dust, and/or corrosive chemicals.

It is not mandatory for all electrical components to be designed or built with a NEMA
enclosure. Instead, NEMA ratings are merely used as an industry standard and are completely
voluntary. At PSI Control Solutions, our electrical equipment is custom-built using NEMA
standards.

Nema Enclosures designs and manufactures electrical enclosures in the following NEMA
standards:

NEMA 1: These are constructed for indoor use and provide

protection against human contact with electrically-charged, live
electrical parts and also protects the equipment from falling
debris (dirt).

NEMA 2: It is for all intents and purposes, the

same as NEMA 1 enclosure. However it has an
additional protection that includes protection from
light dripping or splashing of water (drip-proof).
NEMA 3R, 3RX: This enclosures are engineered for indoor or
outdoor use and protect against rain, sleet, snow, dirt, and prevents
the formation of ice on its enclosure.

NEMA 3, 3X: This enclosures rain-tight, sleep-tight and dust-tight and are made for both indoor
and outdoor. It designates added protection against dust beyond a NEMA 3R or 3RX enclosure.

NEMA 3S, 3SX: Its benefit is the same as a NEMA 3 but

also provides protection when ice forms on the enclosure
and will reain operable when covered in ice.

NEMA 4, 4X: This enclosures are intended for indoor and outdoor
use and provides the same protections as NEMA 3 enclosure with
additional protection against water ingress and/or hose-directed
water. Also, you need not worry about damaging your electrical
components.
NEMA 6, 6P: It has the same protection as NEMA 4 but has a
protection from temporary or prolonged water submersion up to a
designated depth.

NEMA 7: This is built for hazardous locations, explosion proof and made for indoor use

NEMA 8: It offers the same protection as NEMA 7 enclosure and can be used indoor and
outdoor.

NEMA 9: This are dust ignition proof enclosure and is intended

for indoor use in hazardous locations.
NEMA 10: It meets the MSHA (Mine Safety and Health Administration) standards.

NEMA 12, 12K: This enclosures are intended for general

purpose, indoor use. It protects against dripping and splashing
water, rust resistant and do not include knockouts.

NEMA 13: NEMA 13 enclosures are for general purposes and for indoor use. It provides the
same protection as the NEMA 12 enclosures and has added protection against dripping and
sprayed oils and coolants.

NOTE: Enclosures that has “X” indicates corrosion-resistant rating.

IV. INGRESS PROTECTION RATINGS (IP RATING)
IP (or "Ingress Protection") ratings are defined in international standard (British BS EN
60529:1992, European IEC 60509:1989), sometimes referred to synonymously as an
International (or Internal) Protection mark. They are used to define levels of sealing effectiveness
electrical enclosures against intrusion from foreign bodies (tools, dirt, etc.) and moisture.

A. Why have an IP Rating System?

The reason for having a universal IP rating system is so that buyers and users can be
confident of how safe it is to use certain electrical or mechanical goods in specific environments
and applications.

Unlike more vague marketing terms such as “waterproof” - which don‟t necessarily give
a clear definition of precisely where and to what extent an item can resist moisture ingress - an IP
rating is designed to provide a far more specific account.

B. What do the numbers in an IP Rating mean?

The numbers that follow IP each have a specific meaning. The first indicates the degree
of protection (of people) from moving parts, as well as the protection of enclosed equipment
from foreign bodies. The second defines the protection level that the enclosure enjoys from
various forms of moisture (drips, sprays, submersion etc.)

- Protection from solid objects or materials (1st digit)

- Protection from liquid or water (2nd digit)

- Protection against mechanical impacts (3rd digit)

V. IP RATING DIGITS

A. First Digit: Solid

The first digit indicates the level of protection that the enclosure provides against access
to hazardous parts (e.g., electrical conductors, moving parts) and the ingress of solid foreign
objects.

Object Size Protected

Level Effective against
against
0 Not Protected No protection against contact and ingress of objects
Any large surface of the body, such as the back of the
1 >50mm hand, but no protection against deliberate contact with
a body part.
2 >12.5mm Fingers or similar objects.
3 >2.5mm Tools, thick wires, etc
4 >1mm Most wires, screws, etc.
Ingress of dust is not entirely prevented, but it must
not enter in sufficient quantity to interfere with the
5 Dust Protected
satisfactory operation of the equipment; complete
protection against contact.
No ingress of dust; complete protection against
6 Dust Tight
contact.

B. Second Digit: Liquids

Protection of the equipment inside the enclosure against harmful ingress of water.

Object Size Protected

Level Effective against
against
0 Not Protected
1 Dripping water Dripping water (vertically falling drops) shall have no

Dripping water when tilted
2 when the enclosure is tilted at an angle up to 15° from
up to 15°
3 Spraying water
4 Splashing water
5 Water jets
6 Powerful water jets
7 Immersion up to 1m
8 Immersion beyond 1m
9K Higher pressure
harmfull effect.
Vertically dripping water shall have no harmful effect
its normal position.
Water falling as a spray at any angle up to 60° from
the vertical shall have no harmful effect.
Water splashing against the enclosure from any
direction shall have no harmful effect.
Water projected by a nozzle (6.3mm) against
enclosure from any direction shall have no harmful
effects.
Water projected in powerful jets (12.5mm nozzle)
against the enclosure from any direction shall have no
harmful effects.
Ingress of water in harmful quantity shall not be
possible when the enclosure is immersed in water
under defined conditions of pressure and time (up to 1
m of submersion).
The equipment is suitable for continuous immersion in
water under conditions which shall be specified by the
manufacturer. Normally, this will mean that the
equipment is hermetically sealed. However, with
certain types of equipment, it can mean that water can
enter but only in such a manner that it produces no
harmful effects.
Protection against high-pressure, high-temperature jet
sprays, wash-downs or steam-cleaning procedures -
this rating is most often seen in specific road vehicle
applications (standard ISO 20653:2013 Road Vehicles
- Degrees of protection).
C. Third Digit: Protection against impact damage

Level Effective against

1 Protected against impact of 0.225 J.
2 Protected against impact of 0.375 J
3 Protected against impact of 0.5 J
4 Protected against impact of 2.0 J
5 Protected against impact of 6.0 J
6 Protected against impact of 20.0 J
Sometimes, there might be a letter at the end of the code like below.

VI. IPX Rating

Ratings that feature an „X‟ somewhere in the code simply denote that a numerical rating
has only been provided for one of the two main ingress types (foreign body or moisture), but not
for the other. Hence IPX7 will indicate a moisture resistance rating of 7, but no assigned rating
against foreign body ingress. Conversely, IP5X will mean the product has been coded 5 against
foreign body intrusion, but no certified level of moisture resistance is stated.
VII. TYPES OF IP RATED PRODUCTS
There are numerous types of IP-rated products available on the market. The standardisation of
these codes is what enables customers and users to gain a clear understanding of each product‟s
abilities and limitations in different scenarios.

In this section, we‟ll look more closely at some of the more common IP ratings you‟ll find on a
majority of everyday item types.

A. Weatherproof & waterproof IP ratings

A „waterproof‟ or „weatherproof‟ IP rating is one of the most frequent examples people

look for in a wide range of everyday products, from mobile phones and Bluetooth speakers to
kitchen and bathroom fixtures, lighting setups, CCTV enclosures and more.

The ratings widely accepted as „waterproof‟ for most general purposes are IP65, IP66 and
IP67. However, one common misconception regarding weatherproofing is that items intended for
prolonged outdoor use require the highest numerical IP ratings for moisture resistance.

B. IP rated enclosures

There‟s a vast range of different IP-rated enclosure types available across all sectors and
industries, including a great many options for all manner of electronics and mechanical systems
aimed at both home and industrial settings.

Enclosure IP ratings are assigned to everything from mobile phone housings to junction
boxes, bathroom/outdoor lighting setups, and instrument cases intended for robust protection in
harsh marine or chemical environments. In the following sections, we‟ll examine some of the
more widely used enclosure types, and consider some of the demanding IP standards each
enclosure type might require to make it suitable for a range of specific applications.

C. IP rated enclosure accessories

When looking into the myriad configurations of enclosures and system housings on the
market, you‟ll find that there‟s an equally wide range of IP-rated enclosure accessories and
optional extra fittings available for most types of housing. IP ratings for these types of add-ons
usually mirror those of the enclosures they‟re designed to be used with.

The majority offer various tweaks and specialisations, each designed to make a generic
enclosure more ideally suited to one particular application or another. These are usually focused
around component-specific mounting solutions, attachment methods or additional security
features, aimed at a particular type of application or enclosure contents.

Popular examples may include:

o Brackets, screws and nuts

o Additional panels, racks or dividers to add to a basic enclosure frame

o Locks, keys and keypads

o Stability accessories, such as self-adhesive feet, for added security or robustness

D. IP rated instrument cases

Instrument cases are another widely used housing type, most often found protecting every
day electrical products from damage by dirt, dust or moisture ingress. Typical IP ratings for
instrument cases might start from around IP40, indicating resistance to particulates only (i.e. not
intended for outdoor use), but it‟s also common to see ratings up to IP67+ for full immersion
resistance.

Instrument cases are usually available in both heavy-duty and more lightweight
configurations, depending on the level of protection and portability required. They can be used
for anything from outdoor LED power supply casings to industrial camera housings, desktop
electronics and measuring/control equipment.

E. Electrical IP ratings

As with all other types of enclosures, IP numbers for electrical applications follow the
same universal coding system for clarity and ease of understanding. However, it‟s even more
important with electrical IP ratings to fully consider the potential exposure types and resistance
protection you might need for any electronic components or systems, as ingress from either
particulates or moisture of any kind can often result in damage or increase hazard risk.
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Youtube Video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z935clBMJYU

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aP0aXuqyiwE