IP Protection Classification

 

IEC Publication 529 Classification of Degrees of Protection by Enclosures, provides a system for specifying required enclosures of electrical equipment. IEC 529 does not specify degrees of protection against risk of explosion, 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 accompanying table provides a cross-reference from NEMA enclosure Type numbers to IEC enclosure classification designations. This cross-reference is an approximation based on the most current available information of enclosure test performance and is not sanctioned by NEMA,

IEC, or any affiliated agency. 

 

To use the table shown below first find the appropriate NEMA rating along the vertical axis and then read across the horizontal axis for the corresponding IP rating. DO NOT use this table to convert IEC classification designations to NEMA Type numbers.

Specification

                                                    IP    2    3

IP            Characteristic letters

2             1st characteristic numeral (Protection against solid objects)

3             2nd characteristic numeral (Protection against liquids)

 

An enclosure with this designation is protected against the penetration of solid objects greater than 12mm and against spraying water.

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Enclosures for Non Hazardous locations

Type Designation

NEMA

Underwriters Laboratories (UL)

Canadian Standards Association

1

Enclosures are Intended (or indoor use primarily to provide a degree of protection against contact with the enclosed equipment or locations where unusual service conditions do not exist.

 

Indoor use primarily to provide protection

against contact with the enclosed equipment

and against a limited amount of falling dirt.

 

General purpose enclosure. Protects against accidental contact with live parts.

 

2

Enclosures are intended (or indoor use

primarily to provide a degree of protection

against limited amounts of falling water and

dirt.

 

Indoor use to provide a degree of protection

against limited amounts of falling water and

dirt.

 

Indoor use to provide a degree of protection

against dripping and light splashing of

noncorrosive liquids and falling dirt.

 

3

Enclosures are intended tor outdoor use

primarily to provide a degree of protection

against windblown dust, rain, and sleet;

undamaged by the formation of ice on the

enclosure.

 

Outdoor use to provide a degree of protection

against windblown dust and windblown rain;

undamaged by the formation of ice on the

enclosure.

 

Indoor or outdoor use; provides a degree of

protection against rain, snow, and windblown

dust: undamaged by the external formation of

Ice on the enclosure.

 

3R

Enclosures are Intended for outdoor use

primarily to provide a degree of protection

against falling rain and sleet; undamaged by

the formation of Ice on the enclosure.

 

Outdoor use to provide a degree of protection

against falling rain, undamaged by the

formation of ice on the enclosure.

 

Indoor or outdoor use; provides a degree of

protection against rain and snow, undamaged

by the external formation of Ice on the

enclosure.

 

4

Enclosures are intended for Indoor or outdoor

use primarily to provide a degree of protection

against windblown dust and rain, splashing

water, and hose-directed water; undamaged

by (he formation of ice on the enclosure.

 

Either indoor or outdoor use to provide a

degree of protection against falling rain,

splashing water, and hose-directed water:

undamaged by the formation of Ice on the

enclosure; resists corrosion.

 

Indoor or outdoor use; provides a degree of

protection against rain, snow, windblown dust,

splashing and hose-directed water;

undamaged by the external formation of Ice

on the enclosure.

 

4X

Enclosures are intended for indoor or outdoor

use primarily to provide a degree of protection

against corrosion, windblown dust and rain,

splashing water, and hose-directed water;

undamaged by the formation of ice on the

enclosure.

 

Either indoor or outdoor use to proved a

degree of protection against falling rain,

splashing water, and hose-directed water;

undamaged by the formation of Ice on the

enclosure; resists corrosion.

 

Indoor or outdoor use; provides a degree of

protection against rain, snow, windblown dust.

splashing and hose-directed water;

undamaged by the external formation of Ice

on the enclosure; resists corrosion.

 

6

Enclosures are intended for use indoors or

outdoors where occasional submersion is

encountered.

 

Indoor or outdoor use to provide a degree of

protection against entry of water during

temporary submersion at a limited depth:

undamaged by the formation of ice on the

enclosure.

 

Indoor or outdoor use; provides a degree of

protection against the entry of water during

temporary submersion at a limited depth;

undamaged by the external formation of Ice

on the enclosure: resists corrosion.

 

12

Enclosures are intended for indoor use

primarily to provide a degree of protection

against dust, (ailing dirt, and dripping non-

corrosive liquids.

 

Indoor use to provide a degree of protection

against dust, dirt, fiber flyings, dripping water,

and external condensation of non-corrosive

liquids.

 

Indoor use; provides a degree of protection

against circulating dust, lint, fibers, and

flyings; dripping and light splashing of non-

corrosive liquids; not provided with knockouts.

 

13

Enclosures are Intended for indoor use

primarily to provide a degree of protection

against dust, spraying of water, oil, and non-

corrosive coolant.

 

Indoor use to provide a degree of protection

against lint, dust seepage, external

condensation and spraying of water, oil, and

non-corrostve liquids.

 

Indoor use; provides a degree of protection

against circulating dust, lint, fibers, and

flyings; seepage and spraying of non-

corrosive liquids, Including oils and coolants.

 

 

The preceding descriptions are not intended to be complete representations of National Electrical

Manufacturers Association standards for enclosures nor those of the Electrical and

Electronic Manufacturers Association of Canada.

Underwriters Laboratories Inc. (UL) shall not be responsible to anyone for the use of or reliance upon a UL Standard by anyone. UL shall not incur any obligation or liability of damages, including consequential damages, arising out of or connection with the use, interpretation of, or reliance upon a UL standard.

 

 

Comparison of Specific Non-Hazardous Applications Indoor Locations

Provides a Degree of Protection Against the Following Environmental Conditions

Type of Enclosure

 

4

4X

12

13

Incidental Contact With The Enclosed Equipment

Falling Dirt

Falling Liquids and Light Splashing

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

       

 

These fibers and flyings are non-hazardous materials and are not considered Class III type ignitable fibers or combustible flyings. For Class III type ignitable fibers or combustible flyings see the National Electrical Code, Section 500-6(a).

 

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