NEMA Ratings for Non-Hazardous, General Locations:
Type 1 - Indoor, primarily to provide a degree of protection against contact with the enclosed equipment.
Type 2 - Indoor, primarily to provide a degree of protection against limited amounts of falling water and dirt.
Type 3 - Outdoor, primarily to provide a degree of protection against windblown dust, rain, sleet, and external ice formation.
Type 3R - Outdoor, primarily to provide a degree of protection against falling rain, sleet and external ice formation.
Type 4 - Indoor and Outdoor (Watertight and Dust tight), primarily to provide a degree of protection against windblown dust and rain, splashing water, and hose-directed water.
Type 4X - Indoor and Outdoor (Watertight, Dust Tight, and Corrosion Resistant), primarily to provide a degree of protection against corrosion, windblown dust and rain, splashing water, and hose-directed water.
Type 6 - Indoor and Outdoor, primarily to provide a degree of protection against the entry of water during occasional temporary submersion at a limited depth.
Type 6P - Indoor and Outdoor, primarily to provide a degree of protection against the entry of water during occasional prolonged submersion at a limited depth.
Type 12 - Indoor, industrial use primarily to provide a degree of protection against dust, falling dirt, and dripping non-corrosive liquids.
Type 13 - Indoor, primarily to provide a degree of protection against dust, spraying water, oil and non-corrosive coolant.
Commonly Used Abbreviations & Meanings
ANSI - American National Standards Institute
CSA - Canadian Standards Association
IEC - International Electrotechnical Commission
IP - Ingress Protection
JIC - Joint Industry Council
Nema - National Electric Manufacturers Association
RFI - Radio Frequency Interference
EMI - Electro Magnetic Interference
UL - Underwriters Laboratories, Inc.
SS - Stainless Steel
