120VAC to 24VDC adapter

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jw6543

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I have an AC 120V to DC 24V 2.5A power adapter that I would like to mount in an outdoor water tight but not air sealed enclosure.

The problem is the adapter and all of the ones I have found like it state "Indoor Use Only".

As for as the NEC is the water tight enclosure the same as Indoor?
 
Re: 120VAC to 24VDC adapter

Take a look at the defintions in Art 100. Nte the difference between damp, dry and wet.
I have installed a lot of indoor equipment in NEMA 12 enclosures, that have heaters, located outside. You are essentially makeing a small indoor location. Inside the NEMA 12 all the electrical is wired with conduit and boxes.
 
Re: 120VAC to 24VDC adapter

Tom,
I thought NEMA 12 was an indoor only enclosure. I think that you need NEMA 4 for outside.
Don
 
Re: 120VAC to 24VDC adapter

Actually its a NEMA 12 that also is NEMA 3R. The NEMA 12 results in a gasketed NEMA 3R cabinet, since it has a hinged door. A NEMA 12 can be used for outdoor if it has a drip hood and the hinge is changed, on some of the Hoffman enclosures I have used.
 
Re: 120VAC to 24VDC adapter

Just to be a pest.

I know of no commercially available NEMA/UL 12 enclosure that can be converted to a NEMA/UL 3R rating simply by adding a "drip shield". Technically, the 3R rating includes a requirement for UV protection in the enclosure finish as well as a test for water "pooling" on top of the enclosure.

However, some equipment manufacturers do make disconnects and motor starters that have been listed for field conversion from 12 to 3R, usually by drilling a drain hole.
 
Re: 120VAC to 24VDC adapter

With the boxes that I use, the only difference between a NEMA 12 and a NEMA 4 is the number of cover clamping devices. On the 12 there are 1 or 2 clamps on the side opposite the hinge. On the NEMA 4 there are 1 or 2 clamps on all sides except the hinge side.
Don
 
Re: 120VAC to 24VDC adapter

I was just at the www.nema.org site and it has a lot of very useful information. Click onto the standards, enclosures and then click onto the FAQ and there is good info about the nema ratings of enclosures.
Tom, it states that Nema ratings are not changeable, and Nema 12 & 12X enclosures are for indoor use only. There is no certifying of the enclosures and manufacturers are held to their 'word' when they state their enclosures meet Nema standards, although the can at their own behalf have a third party test them if they want.

Pierre
 
Re: 120VAC to 24VDC adapter

Don,

Those extra clamps on the NEMA 4 address the problem of water pooling against the top gasket of the enclosure. The addition of a drip shield to a listed NEMA/UL 12 enclosure does not change the rating to a 4 nor a 3R.
 
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