NEMA and IP Ratings

[dcsva@aol.com]

Can someone tell me the comparison of NEMA-4X, IP65 and IP40.
A contractor has submitted using IP65 and IP40 door mounted devices (selector switches, pilot light lights, and potentiometers) to be mounted in a Stainless Steel NEMA-4X enclosure.
Is there a comparison chart somewhere that I can refer to.

 

[Ed MacLaren]

Re: NEMA and IP Ratings

The chart below might help with the IP (Increased Protection) classification.
For example, an IP65 enclosure is dust-tight (first number) and will withstand water jets (second number)

NEMA 4X will handle everything except submersion, oil, and external ice formation.

Ed

 

[dcsva@aol.com]

Re: NEMA and IP Ratings

thanks ED

 

[tony_psuee]

Re: NEMA and IP Ratings

My experience has been that IP65 has been described as "equivalent to" NEMA 4X. Having dealt mostly with UL in my previous job, if any panel mounted device did not say NEMA 4X our local inspector did not accept the panel maintaining a 4X rating unless we submitted it to a hose directed water spray test.

Tony

 

[jim dungar]

Re: NEMA and IP Ratings

There are subtle differences between the enclosure testing requirements for UL and IEC (i.e. UL 4X enclosures include testing for effects of ice and more important corrosion), that prevents adirect cross reference.

Every enclosure manufacturer have a table that shows an approximate equivalent cross reference between IEC IP and UL Type. The common ones are:
IP23 - UL1
IP32 - UL3R
IP66 - UL4X
IP55 - UL12
IP65 - UL13

Many industrial control device manufacturers have dual ratings which can almost be used as comparisons:

Allen Bradley 194R fused disconnect
Sheet steel -> IP66 and UL3/4/12
Stainless steel ->IP66 and UL4/4X

Square D/Telemecanique XAP pushbutton enclosure
Polyester -> IP65 and UL4/4X/12
Die Cast -> IP65 and UL1/2/4/12

[ July 29, 2003, 10:25 AM: Message edited by: jim dungar ]