NEMA Standards Publication EN P1-2021

Summary of NEMA 250 Enclosure Types

Published by:

National Electrical Manufacturers Association

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© 2021 National Electrical Manufacturers Association

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Foreword

This NEMA white paper is completely based on ANSI/NEMA 250-2020 Enclosures for Electrical
Equipment (1000 Volts Maximum). In the preparation of this white paper, input of users and other
interested parties has been sought and evaluated. This publication will be periodically reviewed by the
Enclosures Section of the NEMA Building Infrastructure Division.

Proposed or recommended revisions should be submitted to:

NEMA Technical Operations Department

National Electrical Manufacturers Association
1300 North 17th Street, Suite 900
Rosslyn, Virginia 22209

This Standard was developed by the NEMA Enclosures Section of the Building Infrastructure Division.
Section approval of the Standard does not necessarily imply that all section Members voted for its
approval or participated in its development. At the time it was approved, the Enclosures Section was
composed of the following Members:

ABB, Inc. Memphis, TN

Allied Moulded Products, Inc. Bryan, OH
Arlington Industries, Inc. Scranton, PA
Atkore International Harvey, IL
Boltswitch, Inc. Crystal Lake, IL
Eaton Cleveland, OH
Emerson Automation Solutions Rosemont, IL
Hubbell Incorporated Shelton, CT
IPEX USA, LLC Pineville, NC
Legrand, North America West Hartford, CT
Milbank Manufacturing Company Kansas City, MO
nVent Anoka, MN
Rittal North America LLC Urbana, OH
Robroy Industries, Inc. Verona, PA
Schneider Electric Boston, MA
Siemens Industry, Inc. Norcross, GA
Snake Tray Bay Shore, NY
Space Age Electronics Sterling, MA

© 2021 National Electrical Manufacturers Association

NEMA EN P1-2021
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Scope
The purpose of this document is to provide:
a. General information on the definitions of NEMA enclosure types
b. A guide for comparing specific applications of enclosures
c. A comparison between NEMA enclosure type numbers and ANSI/IEC enclosure classification
designations

The document is intended for use by architects, engineers, installers, inspectors, and other interested
parties. For more detailed and complete information, please refer to ANSI/NEMA 250-2020 Enclosures
for Electrical Equipment (1000 Volts Maximum).

NEMA Type Ratings

The following definitions have been taken from ANSI/NEMA 250.

In non-hazardous locations, the specific enclosure types, their applications, and the environmental
conditions they are designed to protect against when completely and properly installed are as follows:

Type 1 Enclosures constructed for indoor use to provide a degree of protection to personnel
against access to hazardous parts and provide a degree of protection of the equipment
inside the enclosure against ingress of solid foreign objects (falling dirt).

Type 2 Enclosures constructed for indoor use to provide a degree of protection for personnel
against access to hazardous parts; provide a degree of protection of the equipment inside
the enclosure against ingress of solid foreign objects (falling dirt); and provide a degree of
protection from harmful effects on the equipment due to the ingress of water (dripping and
light splashing).

Type 3 Enclosures constructed for either indoor or outdoor use to provide a degree of protection
for personnel 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
windblown dust); to provide a degree of protection from harmful effects on the equipment
due to the ingress of water (rain, sleet, snow); and that will be undamaged by the external
formation of ice on the enclosure.

Type 3R Enclosures constructed for either indoor or outdoor use to provide a degree of protection
for personnel 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); to
provide a degree of protection from harmful effects on the equipment due to the ingress of
water (rain, sleet, snow); and that will be undamaged by the external formation of ice on the
enclosure.

Type 3S Enclosures constructed for either indoor or outdoor use to provide a degree of protection
for personnel 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
windblown dust); to provide a degree of protection from harmful effects on the equipment
due to the ingress of water (rain, sleet, snow); and for which the external mechanism(s)
remain operable when ice-laden.

Type 3X Enclosures constructed for either indoor or outdoor use to provide a degree of protection
for personnel 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
windblown dust); to provide a degree of protection from harmful effects on the equipment
due to the ingress of water (rain, sleet, snow); that provides an increased level of protection

© 2021 National Electrical Manufacturers Association

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against corrosion; and that will be undamaged by the external formation of ice on the
enclosure.

Type 3RX Enclosures constructed for either indoor or outdoor use to provide a degree of protection
for personnel 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); to
provide a degree of protection from harmful effects on the equipment due to the ingress of
water (rain, sleet, snow); that will be undamaged by the external formation of ice on the
enclosure; and that provides an increased level of protection against corrosion.

Type 3SX Enclosures constructed for either indoor or outdoor use to provide a degree of protection
for personnel 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
windblown dust); to provide a degree of protection from harmful effects on the equipment
due to the ingress of water (rain, sleet, snow); that provides an increased level of protection
against corrosion; and for which the external mechanism(s) remain operable when ice-
laden.

Type 4 Enclosures constructed for either indoor or outdoor use to provide a degree of protection
for personnel 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
windblown dust); to provide a degree of protection from harmful effects on the equipment
due to the ingress of water (rain, sleet, snow, splashing water, and hose-directed water);
and that will be undamaged by the external formation of ice on the enclosure.

Type 4X Enclosures constructed for either indoor or outdoor use to provide a degree of protection
for personnel 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
windblown dust); to provide a degree of protection from harmful effects on the equipment
due to the ingress of water (rain, sleet, snow, splashing water, and hose-directed water);
that provides an increased level of protection against corrosion; and that will be
undamaged by the external formation of ice on the enclosure.

Type 5 Enclosures constructed for indoor use to provide a degree of protection for personnel
against access to hazardous parts; provide a degree of protection of the equipment inside
the enclosure against ingress of solid foreign objects (falling dirt and settling dust, lint,
fibers, and flyings); and provide a degree of protection from harmful effects on the
equipment due to the ingress of water (dripping and light splashing).

Type 6 Enclosures constructed for either indoor or outdoor use to provide a degree of protection
for personnel 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); to
provide a degree of protection from harmful effects on the equipment due to the ingress of
water (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 Enclosures constructed for either indoor or outdoor use to provide a degree of protection
for personnel 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); to
provide a degree of protection from harmful effects on the equipment due to the ingress of
water (hose-directed water and the entry of water during prolonged submersion at a limited
depth); that provides an increased level of protection against corrosion; and that will be
undamaged by the external formation of ice on the enclosure.

© 2021 National Electrical Manufacturers Association

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Type 12 Enclosures constructed (without knockouts) for indoor use to provide a degree of protection
for personnel against access to hazardous parts; provide a degree of protection of the
equipment inside the enclosure against ingress of solid foreign objects (falling dirt and
circulating dust, lint, fibers, and flyings); provide a degree of protection from harmful effects
on the equipment due to the ingress of water (dripping and light splashing); and provide a
degree of protection against light splashing and seepage of oil and non-corrosive coolants.

Type 12K Enclosures constructed (with knockouts) for indoor use to provide a degree of protection for
personnel against access to hazardous parts; provide a degree of protection of the
equipment inside the enclosure against ingress of solid foreign objects (falling dirt and
circulating dust, lint, fibers, and flyings); provide a degree of protection from harmful effects
on the equipment due to the ingress of water (dripping and light splashing); and provide a
degree of protection against light splashing and seepage of oil and non-corrosive coolants.

Type 13 Enclosures constructed for indoor use to provide a degree of protection for personnel
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 circulating dust,
lint, fibers, and flyings); to provide a degree of protection from harmful effects on the
equipment due to the ingress of water (dripping and light splashing); and to provide a
degree of protection against the spraying, splashing, and seepage of oil and non-corrosive
coolants.

In hazardous locations, when completely and properly installed and maintained, Type 7 enclosures are
designed to contain an internal explosion without causing an external hazard. Type 9 enclosures are
designed to prevent the ignition of combustible dust.

Type 7 Explosion-proof enclosures demonstrating compliance with the requirements of

ANSI/UL 1203 for use in hazardous (classified) locations classified as Class I, Division 1,
Groups A, B, C, or D as defined in ANSI/NFPA 70.

Type 9 Dust-ignition-proof enclosures demonstrating compliance with the requirements of ANSI/UL

1203 for use in hazardous (classified) locations classified as Class II, Division 1, Groups E,
F, or G as defined in ANSI/NFPA 70.

© 2021 National Electrical Manufacturers Association

 NEMA EN P1-2021
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Specific Type Ratings

The following tables are guides for comparing specific applications of enclosures.

Table 1: Comparison of Specific Applications of Enclosures for Indoor Locations

Provides a Degree of Protection Type of Enclosure
Against the Following Conditions 1 2 4 4X 5 6 6P 12 12K 13
Access to hazardous parts X X X X X X X X X X
Ingress of solid foreign objects (falling dirt) X X X X X X X X X X
Ingress of water (dripping and light splashing) … X X X X X X X X X
Ingress of solid foreign objects
… … X X … X X X X X
(circulating dust, lint, fibers, and flyings1)
Ingress of solid foreign objects
… … X X X X X X X X
(settling dust, lint, fibers, and flyings1)
Ingress of water
… … X X … X X … … …
(hosedown and splashing water)
Oil and coolant seepage … … … .. … … … X X X
Oil or coolant spraying and splashing … … … … … … … … … X
Corrosive agents ... ... ... X ... ... X ... ... ...
Ingress of water
... ... ... ... ... X X ... ... ...
(occasional temporary submersion)
Ingress of water
... ... ... ... ... ... X ... ... ...
(occasional prolonged submersion)
Note 1: These fibers and flyings are not considered Class III type ignitable fibers or combustible flyings. For
Class III type ignitable fibers or flyings, see NEC® 500.5(D).

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Table 2: Comparison of Specific Applications of Enclosures for Indoor and Outdoor Locations

Provides a Degree of Protection Type of Enclosure

Against the Following Conditions 3 3X 3R 3RX 3S 3SX 4 4X 6 6P
Access to hazardous parts X X X X X X X X X X
Ingress of solid foreign objects (falling dirt) X X X X X X X X X X
Ingress of water (dripping and light splashing) X X X X X X X X X X
Ingress of water (rain, snow, and sleet )1 X X X X X X X X X X
Sleet2 ... ... ... ... X X ... ... ... ...
Ingress of solid foreign objects
X X ... ... X X X X X X
(windblown dust, lint, fibers, and flyings3)
Ingress of water
... ... ... ... ... ... X X X X
(hosedown and splashing water)
Corrosive agents ... X ... X ... X ... X ... X
Ingress of water
... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... X X
(occasional temporary submersion)
Ingress of water
... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... X
(occasional prolonged submersion)
Notes:
1. External operating mechanisms are not required to be operable when the enclosure is ice covered.
2. External operating mechanisms are operable when the enclosure is ice covered. See subsection 5.6 of
ANSI/NEMA 250.
3. These fibers and flyings are not considered Class III type ignitable fibers or combustible flyings. For Class III
type ignitable fibers or flyings, see NEC® 500.5(D).

Ancillary Ratings
In addition to type designations, the following ancillary condition can be evaluated and marked. The
ancillary ratings are optional add-ons to the basic type ratings.

Pressure Wash (PW)

Enclosures constructed for exterior cleaning with high-pressure power washers and tested in accordance
with Section 5.15 of ANSI/NEMA 250. The PW ancillary rating may be appended only to the following
ratings: 3, 3X, 3S, 3SX, 4, 4X, 6, 6P, 12, 12X, or 13 enclosures.

© 2021 National Electrical Manufacturers Association