Choose the Right Level of Protection

From dust swirling in a sugar refinery to washdowns in a chemical plant, enclosures shield electrical equipment from elements that can shorten their lifespan. To choose an enclosure for your facility, the most important thing to keep in mind is where it'll be installed. Will it be indoors or outdoors? How much dust, oil, or water will it be exposed to?

Depending on what you need to protect against, there are corresponding NEMA, IP, and NEC enclosure ratings. A single enclosure can meet more than one rating, and there will often be more than one rating that works for your application.

Protects Against

NEMA Rating
IP Rating

Solids

Large Objects

—Over 12.5 mm (0.5"), such as a finger

—

20, 24

40

products

Medium Objects

—Over 2.5 mm (0.1"), such as a screwdriver

—

30, 32

90

products

Small Objects

—Over 1 mm (0.04"), such as wire

—

40

20

products

Most Dust and Dirt

—Like from muddy boots on a catwalk

1, 2, 12, 13

54, 55

1,900

products

All Dust

—Dust tight; even windblown dust won't get inside

3, 3S, 4, 4X, 6, 6P, 12, 13

65, 66, 67, 68, 69K

2,110

products

Oil

Seeping

—Like dripping from a leaky gasket

12, 13

—

1,770

products

Spraying

—Like from a coolant hose

13

—

1,380

products

Water

Dripping

—Like from a leaky valve

—

32

10

products

Splashing

—Like from a sprinkler system

2, 12, 13

24, 54

1,780

products

Water and Mild Chemicals

Corrosion

—Corrosion resistance on par with 304 stainless steel

3RX, 4X, 6P

—

1,505

products

Weather

Rain and Snow

3, 3R, 3RX, 3S, 4, 4X, 6, 6P

—

2,000

products

Ice

3S

—

240

products

Washdown

Low Pressure

—Like from a garden hose

—

55, 65

290

products

Medium Pressure

—Dozens of gallons per minute; typical for industrial washdowns

4, 4X, 6, 6P

66

1,910

products

High Pressure

—Up to 1,400 psi, like from a pressure washer

—

69K

10

products

Submersion

Short Term

—Under 30 minutes

6

67

445

products

Long Term

—Up to 24 hours

6P

68

410

products

Protects Against

NEMA Rating
NEC Rating

Hazardous Locations

Combustible Gas, Vapor, and Liquid

—Such as hydrogen and gasoline

7

Class I

20

products

Combustible Dust

—Common in grain silos and sugar refineries

9

Class II

20

products

Combustible Fibers

—Such as cotton, jute, and hemp

—

Class III

20

products

Customize and Connect Your Electrical Enclosure

Build out enclosures by adding accessories to route cable, mount equipment, control the temperature, and more.

Note: To maintain an enclosure's level of environmental protection, choose accessories with NEMA, IP, and NEC ratings that match the enclosure's.

Run Wire and Cable

Cord Grips

Secure cords to the enclosure, while sealing out dirt and moisture.

Compatibility: For enclosures with knockouts, check the knockout trade size and make sure the cord grip matches.

1,210

products

Conduit

Run wire and cable out of the enclosure and protect it from getting cut or yanked out.

Compatibility: For enclosures with knockouts, check the knockout trade size and make sure it matches the conduit trade size.

You'll Also Need: A conduit adapter or locknut to attach the conduit to the enclosure.

1,350

products

Wire Duct

Guide and organize short runs of electrical wiring inside the enclosure.

70

products

Mount Your Enclosure

Suspension Arms

Swivel and position enclosures that house touch screens, such as ones used to control robots.

10

products

Pole Mounts

Attach the enclosure to a pole or beam at exactly the height you need it.

10

products

Pedestals

Position the enclosure at a comfortable height for using switches, gauges, and screens.

10

products

Mount Relays, Power Supplies, and Other Components

Panels

Screw components to a panel to avoid making holes in the enclosure, which could cause leaking.

150

products

DIN Rails

It's quick to mount terminal blocks, power supplies, relays, and other control and distribution devices anywhere along these rails.

40

products

Heat, Cool, and Ventilate Your Enclosure

Fans

Keep heat-sensitive electronics cool and running at their best.

630

products

Air Conditioners

Step up to an air conditioner when fans aren't keeping devices cool enough.

180

products

Heaters

Keep devices at their ideal operating temperature and reduce humidity to prevent them from corroding or short-circuiting.

220

products

Seal Out Dust and Moisture

Plugs

Cover unused knockout holes to keep out dust, dirt, and moisture.

80

products

Sealing Washers

Maintain the washdown rating of an enclosure, even after installing fasteners into it.

240

products

See Inside Your Enclosure

Lights

Add lighting inside the enclosure so it's easier to set up and maintain components.

270

products

Inspection Windows

Check the status of electronics inside an enclosure without exposing them to dust, moisture, and weather.

100

products

Switch Equipment On and Off

Push-Button Switches

Control components inside an enclosure without exposing them to dust, moisture, and weather.

660

products

Disconnect Switches

Prevent an enclosure from being opened while the power is on—turn the switch to cut power and release the door.

195

products