When selecting an electrical enclosure, we often see two different standards, NEMA and IP ratings, which usually have different numbers at the end, which are two different ratings used to indicate the protection of the enclosure as well as the range of application. Therefore, when choosing the right electrical enclosure, it is important to understand what a NEMA rating is and what an IP rating is, and we will bring you a detailed comparison of the two different ratings below.

NEMA Rating System & IP Rating System

NEMA is the full name of the National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) rating system. It is a rating system for electrical enclosures in the U.S. It is designed to measure the performance of electrical enclosures under different environmental factors and to classify their level of protection.

The IP Rating is an Intrusion Protection (IP) rating system that is more widely used than the NEMA rating and can be found in Canada and Europe. Used to measure and classify the performance of electrical enclosures for air intake protection.

What is NEMA 4 and IP65?

After understanding the NEMA rating system and the IP rating system, we also need to know the meaning of the numbers behind them before we can compare them.

NEMA 4

First, NEMA 4 means that the tested electrical enclosure has obtained level 4 in the NEMA rating system, which means:

• It can be used indoors and outdoors
• Avoid user contact with live components
• Avoid damage to components, dust, rain, sleet and snow, pollutants, corrosion, and hose flushing

When the electrical enclosure reaches NEMA 3, it can be set up in construction sites, docks, and wet underground tunnels and subways. NEMA 4-rated electrical enclosures can be used in these places as well. They can also be used in more environmentally sensitive factory workshops and external environments that require flushing.

IP65

The IP65 rating consists of two numbers, 6 and 5; these two numbers represent complete dustproofness and protection against strong water flow, so the IP65 rated electrical enclosure will have the following characteristics:

• The electrical enclosure can be used in indoor and general outdoor environments
• Completely prevent dust from entering
• Prevent splashing and jetting of low-pressure water flow from any direction

IP65 is not fully resistant to heavy rain or immersion and only protects against low-pressure water flow, specifically 6.3 mm splash. Therefore, it is not often used in outdoor scenes, but is mostly used indoors to protect electrical equipment.

NEMA 4 vs IP65: What are their Differences?

With a thorough understanding of NEMA 4 and IP65, you can compare their application scenarios, characteristics, strengths, and applicable equipment to select the most appropriate electrical enclosure. We recommend that you pay attention to the appropriate rating each time you purchase, use, and assign an electrical enclosure to minimize the time and money spent.

1. Indoor Environment

NEMA 4: While NEMA 4 enclosures are capable of handling a wide range of indoor environments and provide complete protection for electronic and electrical equipment, it is not completely necessary because NEMA 4 is primarily for harsh industrial and exterior environments, so applying NEMA 4 enclosures to indoor environments adds additional cost.

IP65: Ideally suited to indoor environments, the IP65 rated enclosure is a good value option. It provides complete protection against dust ingress and low pressure splash intrusion into the equipment without being cost prohibitive and is often found in office buildings, warehouses, factory floors, etc.

2. Outdoor Environment

NEMA 4: In outdoor environments, NEMA 4 provides enhanced protection. This is especially true in industrial environments with dusty, repetitive washdowns and in natural environments where thunderstorms and winds are common. This is due to the dust and water resistance of NEMA 4, which maximizes the protection of electrical equipment and provides better performance in the face of external dust and shock.

IP65: IP65 rated enclosures offer more limited protection in external environments and are not as robust as NEMA 4. Especially in terms of waterproofing, the IP65 enclosure is not fully resistant to heavy rain and large amounts of water, so it is not suitable for external settings.

3. Dust-Resistant

NEMA 4: While NEMA 4 will resist the effects of dust on the equipment inside the enclosure, it is important to note that it does not completely prevent the entry of dust. However, NEMA 4 is more tightly constructed and has a higher level of sealing gaskets to keep dust out.

IP65: IP65 rated enclosures have been tested to provide complete isolation from the ingress of fine dust, but this does not mean that IP65 is suitable for use in extremely dusty environments such as the mining industry, e.g. mining control cabinets. The dust protection of IP65 is primarily for general dust and dirt, and is therefore typically used to protect installations in normal industrial environments.

4. Water-Resistant

NEMA 4: In terms of water resistance NEMA 4 can withstand many different types of water flow, including high-pressure flush, spray water, outdoor rain, with a high degree of water resistance, according to the rating description, “NEMA 4 can withstand water jets of at least 1.5 meters (about 5 feet) in all directions,” but it is important to note that However, it should be noted that while NEMA 4 can withstand high pressure water intrusion from any direction, it cannot withstand prolonged immersion.

IP65: IP65 is not as waterproof as NEMA 4 and offers only limited protection against water. This level of enclosure prevents jetting of 6.3mm water streams, minor splashes, and cannot withstand strong water impacts and immersion.

5. Applicable Equipment

NEMA 4: Based on the characteristics of NEMA 4 and its design principles, NEMA 4 will be utilized in outdoor environments, and applicable equipment includes:

• Electrical control cabinets
• Equipos de procesamiento de alimentos
• Water treatment system control panels
• Marine equipment
• Mining equipment
• High Pressure Cleaning Area Control Boxes

Most of these devices need to withstand harsh environments, external rain erosion or the need for high-pressure cleaning, but it should be noted that the NEMA 4 for heat dissipation design is limited, if the equipment has a high demand for heat dissipation, NEMA 4 rating enclosures need additional design.

IP65: IP65 rated enclosures are often used in general factory environments and external areas that do not experience extreme weather conditions:

• Lighting equipment
• General electrical control boxes
• Electronic display
• General industrial equipment enclosures

Although IP65 has key limitations, it provides better protection for equipment used daily.

6. Durability & Strength

NEMA 4: NEMA 4 rated enclosures are usually made of industrial grade stainless steel, carbon steel, and post aluminum alloys, and therefore have thicker enclosures, usually up to 2mm or more, with steel enclosures being even thicker, up to 3mm or more. The thicker enclosure can effectively withstand external impacts and deformation due to compression, which allows the NEMA 4 rated enclosure to perform better in strong seismic environments, while also being more durable and not being replaced as often in industrial environments.

IP65: IP65 rated enclosures are usually made of plastic, aluminum alloy, and stainless steel, the enclosure is thin, usually only 1mm to 2mm, under the plastic material may be even thinner.IP65 rated enclosures have a general structural rigidity, so their resistance to impact and extrusion is not too good, especially the plastic enclosure is prone to break after receiving the extrusion.IP65 is only suitable for environments where there is a slight vibration, in Strong vibration is easy to damage, and exposure to the external environment is easy to cause aging, is therefore not suitable for long-term use, and may require frequent maintenance or replacement.

Application Environment

NEMA 4: These enclosures are typically designed to withstand temperature extremes from -40°F to 176°F and to cope with variable temperature changes.NEMA 4 rated enclosures are highly corrosion-resistant and can be used for long periods in wet chemical plants, seashores, and rain and snow environments and are effective in preventing the ingress of moisture.

IP65: This type of enclosure can typically withstand temperatures from -4°F to 140°F depending on the enclosure material, is less tolerant of extreme temperatures, and is not suitable for environments with extreme temperature variations. IP65 can be set up in general outdoor environments and indoor environments, but it is not recommended for chemical plants and seacoast facilities due to the enclosure material. Due to the housing material, IP65 is less resistant to corrosion and UV rays.

Precio

NEMA 4: NEMA 4 enclosures are typically more expensive, based on their high strength materials, complex design and good protection, but are cost effective in the long run due to their wide range of applications and relatively low replacement frequency.

IP65: IP65 is generally less expensive than NEMA 4, and while it cannot be widely used in outdoor environments and for extended periods, it is still a good value for indoor environments and general factory environments.

Conclusión

NEMA 4 and IP65 offer similar protection in some respects, but NEMA 4 has a wider range of applications and more protection, providing greater durability in harsher environments and long-term protection for equipment. For indoor environments, including general offices, light industrial environments, and residential environments, IP65 is an economical and appropriate choice. So when comparing NEMA 4 vs. IP65 we recommend that you first determine the environments in which they will be used so that you can quickly determine which type you need.