What are NEMA and IP?
Are NEMA enclosure classes the same as IP?
Although each system uses a very different numbering scheme, some of the IP and NEMA classes are equivalent.
Which of NEMA and IP should I use?
It depends where you are. In Europe and Asia, IP classes are used to determine sealing protection. In North America, NEMA is more common. However, more and more companies are using IP classes as standard.
| IP CLASS EQUIVALENTS | NEMA VALUE | DESCRIPTION |
| IP10 | NEMA 1 | Indoor use. Protects against falling debris. |
| IP11 | NEMA 2 | Indoor use. Protects against falling debris and dripping water. |
| IP14 | NEMA 3 | Outdoor use. Protects against rain, sleet and wind-borne dust. Also protects against damage due to icing on the outside of the panel. |
| IP14 | NEMA 3R | Outdoor use. Protects against rain and sleet. It also protects against ice damage on the outside of the panel. |
| IP14 | NEMA 3S | Indoor and outdoor use. Protects against rain, sleet and wind-borne dust. In addition, the external mechanisms are ready for operation despite ice deposits. |
| IP52 | NEMA 12 | Indoor use. Protects against falling debris, flying dust and dripping liquids that will not cause corrosion. |
| IP54 | NEMA 13 | Indoor use. Protects against dust, falling debris, gushing water, oil and non-corrosive coolants. |
| IP66 | NEMA 4 | Indoor or outdoor use. Protects against wind-borne dust, rain, gushing water and hose water. Also protects against damage due to icing on the outside of the panel. |
| IP66 | NEMA 4X | Indoor or outdoor use. Protects against wind-borne dust, rain, gushing water, hose water and corrosion. Also protects against damage due to icing on the outside of the panel. |
| IP66 | NEMA 5 | Indoor use. Protects against falling debris, airborne dust that settles on the floor and dripping liquids that will not cause corrosion. |
| IP67 | NEMA 6 | Indoor and outdoor use. Protects against falling debris, hose water, water ingress in case of occasional and partial submersion at a certain depth. It also protects against damage due to icing on the outside of the panel. |
| IP67 | NEMA 6P | Indoor and outdoor use. Protects against hose water and water ingress in case of prolonged submersion at a certain depth. Also protects against damage due to icing on the outside of the panel. |