NEMA vs. IP Ratings: What Is The Difference?

Ingress Protection (IP) ratings were created in Europe and are now used worldwide. The National Electrical Manufacturers Association, established in the United States, produced NEMA ratings (also known as NEMA Type ratings).

While NEMA and IP ratings are not the same, they are quite comparable and may sometimes be used interchangeably for evaluating enclosures for industrial situations. IP ratings are primarily concerned with protecting against the intrusion of solid foreign objects or liquids, whereas NEMA ratings also address additional circumstances, such as the presence of corrosive substances.

Knowing how to evaluate Ingress Protection (IP) and National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) enclosure ratings will allow you to choose an electrical cabinet that is appropriate for the location’s demands.

NEMA — the Trusted System in North America

The majority of National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) members are electrical equipment manufacturers based in the United States. The organization’s 600+ standards cover electrical connections and enclosure integrity. An enclosure rated NEMA12 or NEMA4 protects against hazardous part access, the entrance of solid foreign materials (dirt, dust, fibers, lint, etc.), and intrusion of water at various levels. Other levels (3R, 4X, etc.) provide highly specialized improved degrees of protection for unusual installation conditions.

NEMA ratings are most often utilized for industrial applications and environments in North America.

IP — the Global Standard

The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), situated in Geneva, Switzerland, developed hundreds of intellectual property standards, sometimes known as “ingress protection” (or “international protection”). The two numbers in an IP rating each represent something distinct.

The first, usually between 0 and 6, specifies the degree of protection against solid item infiltration (dust/dirt resistance). The second digit, ranging from 0 to 8, represents the resistance to moisture penetration. So, an enclosure with an IP68 certification (which Apple’s iPhone XS and XS Max models received two years ago) signifies that it is “dust tight” and can withstand being immersed in two meters of water for 30-minute periods. An IP54-rated enclosure is “limited dust tight” and protects against water spray from any direction.

What is a NEMA rating?

The National Electrical Manufacturers Group (NEMA) is a trade group that represents over 375 firms that manufacture electrical equipment. NEMA was established in 1926, and its standards are utilized globally.

A NEMA enclosure rating is a categorization system for enclosures that house electrical equipment. NEMA evaluates enclosures based on their capacity to withstand physical damage such as collision, vibration, and water.

NEMA offers 13 distinct enclosure ratings, ranging from NEMA Type 1 (the lowest degree of protection) to NEMA Type 12K (the highest level of protection).

NEMA Rating Table for Non-Hazardous Locations

What is an IP rating?

The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), a global body that develops electrical and electronic equipment standards, governs IP ratings. The International Electrotechnical Commission was created in 1906, and its standards are adopted in over 150 nations.

An IP rating, also known as an Ingress Protection rating, is a designation that begins with the letters “IP” and ends with two digits. The first number represents the amount of protection against solid objects, while the second represents the level of protection against liquids.

IP ratings range from 0 to 6, with 0 being the lowest level of protection and 6 being the highest.

IP Rating Table

Unlike NEMA Type enclosure ratings, which appear to employ arbitrary numbers with random numeric assignments, the IP rating system is more methodical, with a well-defined structure. The IP ratings are generally two numbers, with an optional third letter or digit. The first number displayed indicates the level of protection against the entry of solid items inside housing, with the lowest number providing no protection and the highest number providing the greatest amount of protection.

The second number specifies the amount of protection against external liquids entering the housing; similarly with the first digit, a larger number provides more protection.

Example: IP65 = Dust Tight, Water Jets

Here is a breakdown of what each number in an IP rating means:

• 0: No protection
• 1: Protection against solid objects larger than 50mm, such as hands
• 2: Protection against solid objects larger than 12.5mm, such as fingers
• 3: Protection against solid objects larger than 2.5mm, such as tools
• 4: Protection against solid objects larger than 1mm, such as wires
• 5: Protection against dust that could cause damage
• 6: Protection against dust that could cause damage and water that could cause damage

NEMA vs. IP Ratings: Converting Between the Two

There is no straightforward way to convert IP ratings to NEMA or vice versa. Their vocabulary is just different. Each is more specialized in different areas, making precise conversion impossible.

The definitions in the following chart have been paraphrased. Conversions are estimations and should only be used as a guideline.

Conclusion

IP and NEMA ratings are two separate standards for assessing the amount of protection given by an electrical enclosure. IP ratings assess dust and water resistance, whereas NEMA ratings assess the enclosure’s overall protection against a broader variety of environmental variables. When choosing an electrical enclosure, it is critical to consider both IP and NEMA ratings, as well as other criteria like as application-specific needs and local norms and laws.

In the future, the manufacture of electrical equipment will become an even more worldwide sector. Reviewing the distinctions between NEMA and IP ratings today might save you time and money in the long run.