NEMA Enclosure Types
Non-Hazardous Locations
Type 1 : General Purpose - Indoor
Enclosures constructed for indoor use to provide a degree of protection to personnel against incidental contact with the enclosed equipment and to provide a degree of protection against falling dirt.
Type 2 : Drip-Proof - Indoor
Enclosures constructed for indoor use to provide a degree of protection to personnel against incidental contact with the enclosed equipment, to provide a degree of protection against falling dirt, and to provide a degree of protection against dripping and light splashing of liquids.
Type 3 : Dusttight, Raintight, Sleettight - Outdoor
Enclosures constructed for either indoor or outdoor use to provide a degree of protection to personnel against incidental contact with the enclosed equipment; to provide a degree of protection against falling dirt, rain, sleet, snow, and windblown dust; and that will be undamaged by the external formation of ice on the enclosure.
Type 3R : Raintight, Sleet Resistant - Outdoor
Enclosures constructed for either indoor or outdoor use to provide a degree of protection to personnel against incidental contact with the enclosed equipment; to provide a degree of protection against falling dirt, rain, sleet, and snow; and that will be undamaged by the external formation of ice on the enclosure.
Type 3S : Dusttight, Raintight, Sleettight - Outdoor
Enclosures constructed for either indoor or outdoor use to provide a degree of protection to personnel against incidental contact with the enclosed equipment; to provide a degree of protection against falling dirt, rain, sleet, snow, and windblown dust; and in which the external mechanism(s) remain operable when ice laden.
Type 4 : Watertight, Dusttight, Sleet Resistant - Indoor & Outdoor
Enclosures constructed for either indoor or outdoor use to provide a degree of protection to personnel against incidental contact with the enclosed equipment; to provide a degree of protection against falling dirt, rain, sleet, snow, windblown dust, splashing water, and hose-directed water; and that will be undamaged by the external formation of ice on the enclosure.
Type 4X : Watertight, Dusttight, Corrosion-Resistant - Indoor & Outdoor
Enclosures constructed for either indoor or outdoor use to provide a degree of protection to personnel against incidental contact with the enclosed equipment; to provide a degree of protection against falling dirt, rain, sleet, snow, windblown dust, splashing water, hose-directed water, and corrosion; and that will be undamaged by the external formation of ice on the enclosure.
Type 5 : Dusttight, Drip-Proof - Indoor
Enclosures constructed for indoor use to provide a degree of protection to personnel against incidental contact with the enclosed equipment; to provide a degree of protection against falling dirt; against settling airborne dust, lint, fibers, and flyings; and to provide a degree of protection against dripping and light splashing of liquids.
Type 6 : Occasionally Submersible, Watertight, Sleet Resistant - Indoor & Outdoor
Enclosures constructed for either indoor or outdoor use to provide a degree of protection to personnel against incidental contact with the enclosed equipment; to provide a degree of protection against falling dirt; against hose-directed water and the entry of water during occasional temporary submersion at a limited depth; and that will be undamaged by the external formation of ice on the enclosure.
Type 6P : Watertight, Sleet Resistant Prolonged Submersion - Indoor & Outdoor
Enclosures constructed for either indoor or outdoor use to provide a degree of protection to personnel against incidental contact with the enclosed equipment; to provide a degree of protection against falling dirt; against hose-directed water and the entry of water during prolonged submersion at a limited depth; and that will be undamaged by the external formation of ice on the enclosure.
Type 12 : Dusttight and Driptight - Indoor
Enclosures constructed (without knockouts) for indoor use to provide a degree of protection to personnel against incidental contact with the enclosed equipment; to provide a degree of protection against falling dirt; against circulating dust, lint, fibers, and flyings; and against dripping and light splashing of liquids.
Type 12K : Dusttight and Driptight, with Knockouts - Indoor
Enclosures constructed (with knockouts) for indoor use to provide a degree of protection to personnel against incidental contact with the enclosed equipment; to provide a degree of protection against falling dirt; against circulating dust, lint, fibers, and flyings; and against dripping and light splashing of liquids.
Type 13 : Oiltight and Dusttight - Indoor
Enclosures constructed for indoor use to provide a degree of protection to personnel against incidental contact with the enclosed equipment; to provide a degree of protection against falling dirt; against circulating dust, lint, fibers, and flyings; and against the spraying, splashing, and seepage of water, oil, and noncorrosive coolants.
For enclosures used in
Hazardous Locations
Type 7 : Class I, Group A, B, C or D Hazardous Locations - Indoor
Enclosures constructed for indoor use in hazardous locations classified as Class I, Division 1, Groups A, B, C, or D as defined in NFPA 70.
Type 8 : Class I, Group A, B, C or D Hazardous Location - Indoor & Outdoor
Enclosures constructed for either indoor or outdoor use in hazardous locations classified as Class I, Division 1, Groups A, B, C, and D as defined in NFPA 70.
Type 9 : Class II, Group E, F or G Hazardous Locations - Indoor
Enclosures constructed for indoor use in hazardous locations classified as Class II, Division 1, Groups E, F, or G as defined in NFPA70.
Type 10 : Requirements of Mine Safety and Health Administration
Enclosures constructed to meet the requirements of the Mine Safety and Health Administration, 30 CFR, Part 18.
For more detailed and complete information, NEMA Standards Publication 250-2003, Enclosures for Electrical Equipment (1000 Volts Maximum) should be consulted.