NEMA Ratings,NEMA Product Standards,NEMA ,National Electrical Manufacturers Association, Environmental Ratings,

An Enclosure is a surrounding case constructed to provide a degree of protection to personnel against accidental contact with the enclosed equipment and to provide a degree of protection to the enclosed equipment against specified environmental conditions. A brief description of the more common types of enclosures used by the electrical industry relating to their environmental capabilities follows. Refer to NEMA Standards Publication for more information regarding applications, features and design tests. Individual NEMA Product Standards Publications or third party certification standards may contain additional requirements for product testing and performance.

Definitions Pertaining To Nonhazardous Locations
Type 1 Enclosures are intended for indoor use primarily to provide a degree of protection against limited amounts of falling dirt. (NEMA Standard 7-15-1991.)	Type 4X Enclosures are intended for indoor or outdoor use primarily to provide a degree of protection against corrosion, windblown dust and rain, splashing water, hose-directed water and damage from external ice formation. (NEMA Standard 1-10-1979)	Type 7 Enclosures are intended for indoor use in locations classified as Class I, Groups, A, B, C, or D, as defined in the National Electrical Code. (NEMA Standard 7-15-1991.)
Type 3R Enclosures are intended for outdoor use primarily to provide a degree of protection against rain, sleet and damage from external ice formation. (NEMA Standard 7-15-1991.)	Type 12 Enclosures are intended for indoor use primarily to provide a degree of protection against circulating dust, falling dirt, and dripping noncorrosive liquids. (NEMA Standard 7-15-1991.)	Type 9 Enclosures are intended for indoor use in locations classifi ed as Class II, Groups E, F, or G, as defi ned in the National Electrical Code. (NEMA Standard 7-15-1991.)
Type 4 Enclosures are intended for indoor or outdoor use primarily to provide a degree of protection against windblown dust and rain, splashing water, hose-directed water and damage from external ice formation. (NEMA Standard 1-10-1979.)	Type 13 Enclosures are intended for indoor use primarily to provide a degree of protection against dust, spraying of water, oil and noncorrosive coolant. (NEMA Standard 1-10-1979.)