KDM NEMA 1 Enclosure

Despite their limited protection, KDM NEMA 1 enclosures are commonly used in a variety of industries to house indoor electrical equipment, such as variable frequency drives installed in standard indoor locations. It is mostly used in applications where sealing out dust, oil, and water is not required. KDM NEMA 1 Enclosures come as free-standing enclosures, floor mount electrical enclosures, wall mount electrical enclosures, modular electrical enclosures, weatherproof electrical enclosures, stainless steel electrical enclosure, galvanized steel and many more. KDM NEMA 1 enclosure manufactured to a level of excellence. This quality enclosure not only maintains a better appearance over time but it also does a better job protecting electrical components in houses.

NEMA 1 Enclosure

KKDM NEMA 1 enclosure is mostly made of steel and stainless steel. So you can assure that your enclosure has extra durability and is ready for easy and secure installation. KDM manufactures quality custom and standard NEMA-rated enclosures. KDM offer a range of option to add-on your NEMA 1 enclosure, including fans, thermostats, viewing windows, casters, leveling feet, fuse blocks, power panels, lights, and switches. You can also custom NEMA 1 enclosures height, weight, depth and materials according to your needs. In addition to this, KDM NEMA 1 enclosures sizes, layouts, and designs vary depending on client requirement and applications. KDM produce cost-effective standard NEMA-rated enclosures to protect your equipment. https://youtu.be/sp-6BlAQkzk

The Ultimate FAQ Guide to NEMA 1 Enclosures

What does NEMA Type 1 mean?

NEMA stands for National Electrical Manufacturers Association.

It is an electrical industry trade association that does not certify products, but rather develops standards, and government guidelines.

NEMA 1 complies with limited indoor use specifications.

It protects against the ingress of solid objects, such as falling dirt, and some splashing water.

Also, it prevents access to hazardous parts inside the enclosure.

Are there size requirements for NEMA Type 1 enclosures?

No, NEMA types only outline safety requirements, not dimensions.

NEMA 1 enclosures are typically small because they don’t provide much protection and house small electrical components like fuses.

NEMA 1 enclosure

KDM will create an enclosure according to your specifications, so feel free to contact us anytime!

Are NEMA 1 enclosures used outdoors?

No, NEMA 1 enclosures do not protect against water ingress and dust ingress, so it is not suitable for outdoor environments.

Do NEMA 1 enclosures protect from explosions and arc flash?

No, NEMA 1 enclosures are not strong enough to withstand an external explosion or contain an internal one.

If you need that kind of protection, you should consider NEMA types 7-10, which are made specifically for hazardous locations.

NEMA enclosures do not protect against arc flash incidents, so it is the responsibility of personnel to be prepared for them.

Do NEMA 1 enclosures protect from corrosion?

Per se, NEMA Type 1 enclosures do not protect against corrosion well.

However, you can increase the enclosure’s resistance to corrosion with the material you choose to use.

As such, galvanized steel and stainless steel 316 are the best options.

Also, paint coatings can help deter corrosion.

Especially, enamel paint is great for corrosion resistance.

What are common applications for NEMA 1 enclosures?

NEMA 1 enclosures are mostly suitable for commercial and residential uses.

These include junction boxes, switch boxes, fuse boxes, pull boxes, service and utility boxes.

  Typical NEMA 1 box

These fulfil the basic functions of holding wires, and performing simple tasks such as closing or opening the circuits.

For more information, check out our NEMA enclosure FAQ!

Are there specifications on how to install NEMA 1 enclosures?

Some NEMA types are more sensitive regarding installation method since they have to uphold their rating.

However, NEMA 1 is not subject to this, so you can drill holes in an enclosure to mount it on a wall or pole.

It is also common to have these enclosures recessed into a wall.

Recessed NEMA enclosure

How are NEMA 1 enclosures tested?

NEMA enclosures are not tested by NEMA, but by third-party laboratories.

NEMA labels can be used to self-declare enclosure ratings.

NEMA 250 outlines all the extensive tests that enclosures undergo to achieve a NEMA label.

For NEMA 1, one of the tests is the rod entry test, which involves inserting a rod of different diameters into openings and vents of the enclosure in an attempt to reach live parts of the circuit.

NEMA 1 enclosures should also protect against falling dirt, so there can be a test for that as well.

How can I be sure of the quality of NEMA 1 enclosures?

At KDM, we have the ISO9001 certification that you can look through.

Also, you can do independent third-party testing of the enclosures if you want confirmation of quality and conformity assessment.

What is NEMA 1 in IP standards?

Although it is difficult to translate one set of standards into another, NEMA type 1 is roughly comparable to IP10 or IP20.

Both provide limited protection against dirt and no protection against water ingress.

   NEMA and IP 

How else are NEMA ratings represented?

NEMA 250 standards are also represented as UL 50E and CSA C22.2 No. 94.2.

This is because different certifying agencies use different standards – UL or CSA – so NEMA guidelines can be understood in terms of either one.

CSA is used in Canada, while UL is mostly used in the US.

  CSA and UL

What are common designs for NEMA 1 enclosures?

Some common designs for NEMA 1 enclosures include free-standing, floor-mounted, wall-mounted, and pole-mounted.

Free-standing and floor-mounted enclosures are used for bigger equipment, so they would serve well as junction and utility boxes.

They can have one or multiple doors, depending on your requirements.

Such enclosures can also have pedestals, casters, leveling feet, and lifting eyes to help install and move it around.

Free-standing enclosure

Wall-mounted and pole-mounted NEMA 1 enclosures are typically small and house fuses and switches.

These are less mobile, but take up less space as well.

They are installed using special brackets that can be just external or have internal elements too.

Wall-mounted enclosure

What additional features are often included?

You can request vents, windows, hinged doors, locks, cable management systems, and much more.

Vents, as well as radiating fans, provide a path for heat to escape through, cooling electrical components of the enclosure.

Vents provide a more passive flow of air, whereas fans actively move air and are used to cool down equipment that heats up quickly.

This prolongs their life and decreases the possibility of malfunctions.

  Radiating fan in an enclosure

These also stabilize air pressure inside the enclosure, preventing condensation which can damage the electrical components of the enclosure.

Plus, vents and fans can be further upgraded to air conditioners and heat exchangers.

Windows help personnel examine the electrical components in a quick and non-invasive way.

And if something goes wrong, a window helps to see what is happening right away.

Plus, infra-red windows help protect workers from arc flash accidents by letting them see heat buildup.

 Enclosure with a window 

Hinged doors control how and how much the door or cover of the enclosure opens.

This also includes a variety of handles that you can request as well.

You can choose between continuous, offset, and other types of hinges.

Locks and latches add a layer of security to your NEMA 1 enclosure, making sure no one tampers with it or accidentally accesses its electrical components.

      Enclosure with a lock

Cable management systems may involve hooks, racks, and other organizing features.

These are great for junction boxes, so all the different wires do not get tangled and are easier to access.

We also offer secondary features like casters, lifting eyes, file pockets, rain caps, switches, lights, and anything else you request.

Rain cap

Casters help move the enclosure around; lifting eyes are for heavy enclosures that need to be lifted to be carried around; file pockets store operating manuals; rain caps protect the enclosure from splashing water; switches and lights help operate the equipment inside the enclosure.

Do knockouts, vents, fittings, etc. affect the rating of the enclosure?

Individual fittings, vents, knockouts, etc – ideally – should have a better NEMA rating than the enclosure.

But generally this is not possible, so these features should have the same rating as the overall structure.

How is NEMA Type 1 different from NEMA Type 2 in construction?

NEMA Type 1 does not require heavy-duty construction, so it may not involve good sealing gaskets and coatings.

Type 2 enclosures have an additional drip shield, protecting it from splashes and condensation.

What materials are used for NEMA 1 enclosures?

The materials used for NEMA 1 enclosures aren’t different from materials used for other types of enclosures.

They can be made from carbon steel, galvanized steel, and stainless steel – usually of the grades 304, 316, or 316L.

Carbon steel is usually duller than stainless steel.

It is also magnetic and more malleable since it only has iron and carbon.

This steel is also prone to corrosion, so it is not recommended for NEMA types that are designed for the outdoors.

Stainless steel is created by adding chromium, nickel, and molybdenum to the iron-carbon alloy.

Stainless steel vs. galvanized steel

Steel grades 304 and 316 differ in the content of all additives.

For NEMA Type 1 enclosures, stainless steel grade 304 is most recommended.

Galvanized steel is coated with a protective layer of zinc that prevents corrosion.

This type of steel is more expensive and heavier than stainless steel.

Another type of steel that can be used is cold-rolled steel, which is thinner and more dense than normal steel – and thus, it is stronger.

When using steel, the manufacturer should keep in mind a certain gauge, or thickness, of the sheet metal that is necessary to comply with NEMA standards.

NEMA 1 enclosures use 12-14 gauge steel, which is about 1.9-2.6 mm.

Fiberglass is very strong, can dissipate heat, and insulates electricity, lowering the effect of interference and the possibility of shock.

It is made from glass fibers placed in plastic.

   Fiberglass enclosure

Enclosures can also be made from aluminum alloys.

They are not necessarily better than steel alloys, but can be depending on what you are going for and what are your needs.

Just like steel grades, aluminum alloys can be either of the 5052 or the 6061 series.

 Aluminum vs stainless steel

Both are lightweight, but 5052 is more weldable, whereas 6061 has a higher resistance to corrosion.

Also, 6061 is more expensive.

Aluminum has a layer of oxide on top that prevents any corrosion.

This material is especially good for enclosures exposed to solvents, petrochemicals, some acids, most sulfates and nitrates.

But NEMA 1 enclosures are not made for these environments, so aluminum is not common for them.

Also, our windows are made from polycarbonate and ABS.

Polycarbonate is more resistant to corrosion, whereas ABS is cheaper.

If you would like to learn more, send in your inquiry now for a consultation!

What paints and coatings can be used for NEMA 1 enclosures?

Our enclosures are well-protected, but the right coating can add its protection as well.

You can choose enamel or powder paint coats in any color.

Enamel paint has a glossy finish and is resistant to different weather conditions.

Specific enamel paints like epoxy enamel and PU enamel are commonly used for industrial enclosures since they are resistant to corrosion.

Powder paint is deposited with the electrostatic force, and is quicker and easier than enamel.

It is also more flexible in appearance, giving you the option of glossy and matte finishes.

Powder coating finishes

We also offer anodizing and alodining coatings.

Anodizing coating uses anodes to oxidize a metal, usually aluminum, to increase its thickness for better corrosion resistance.

Steel is not typically anodized because it can actually speed up the corrosion of the metal.

Alodine coating, also known as the chromate conversion coating, is used to prime steel and aluminum for paint, as well as prevent corrosion.

  Alodine coating

This is a cheaper process than anodizing, and can be recognized by its characteristic greenish-yellow hue, unless it is painted over.

There can also be anti-graffiti and anti-poster coatings to protect your enclosure from vandalism.

We can provide any coating in any color and finish, so contact us today!

What are some ways to put symbols on a NEMA Type 1 enclosure?

Our customizing services include engraving and silk-screening.

Silk Screening is the easiest and most affordable method of customization.

Any flat side of the enclosure can be silk-screened with labels, warnings, serial number, your company name and logo.

However, silk-screening on metal like stainless steel or aluminum can be worn off or scratched off, but a clear powder coat helps to prevent that.

  Silk screening

Engraving the enclosure is another method of customizing your enclosures.

This option is more costly and takes more time, but it is also more long-term than silk-screening.

A little bit of metal is removed from the surface of the enclosure in the design of the logo or symbol.

Usually, about 0.005 inches or 0.010 inches of metal is removed from the surface.

Once the metal has been removed, it is filled in with epoxy paint of any color to match your requirements.

Engraving

What else should I be aware of when ordering an enclosure?

There are some common mistakes that people make.

These include choosing the wrong NEMA type, wrong material, wrong size, wrong design, and disregarding features.

NEMA types have certain environments they are suited for.

NEMA 1 is built for non-hazardous, indoor locations with normal air pressure, and no exposure to water spray or dangerous dust.

NEMA 1 usually use stainless steel 304 or galvanized steel to increase resistance to corrosion.

The size and the design of the enclosure depend on the specific electrical equipment you plan to house there.

However, NEMA 1 enclosures are usually small because they function as fuse boxes and such.

As for the design and features, these are case-specific, so consult your manufacturer for advice.