Networking

Protection categories to EN 60 529/IEC 60 529
Rittal IT catalogue/Engineering/Consultancy
Engineering and consultancy
Protection categories
The IP protection category is characterised by 2 numbers.
Degrees of protection for protection against contact and foreign bodies:
Degrees of protection for protection against water:
First characteristic numeral
Second characteristic numeral
First
charac-
Degree of protection
Second
charac-
Degree of protection
teristic
numeral
Description Explanation
teristic
numeral
Description Explanation
0 Non-protected – 0 Non-protected –
1 Protected against solid foreign The object probe, a sphere
objects with a diameter of 50 mm in diameter, must not
50 mm and greater
penetrate fully1) 1 Protected against vertically Vertically falling drops shall
falling water drops
have no harmful effects.
.
2 Protected against solid foreign The object probe, a sphere
objects with a diameter of 12.5 mm in diameter, must not
12.5 mm and greater
penetrate fully1) 2 Protected against vertically Vertically falling drops must not
falling water drops when the have any harmful effects when
.
enclosure is tilted up to 15° the enclosure is tilted up to 15°
The articulated test finger may
in both directions from the ver-
penetrate up to its length of
80 mm, but adequate clearance
distance must be adhered
to.
tical.
3 Protected against solid foreign
objects with a diameter of
2.5 mm and greater
4 Protected against solid foreign
objects with a diameter of
1.0 mm and greater
The object probe, a sphere
2.5 mm in diameter, must not
penetrate at all 1) .
The object probe, a sphere
1.0 mm in diameter, must not
penetrate at all 1) .
5 Dust-protected The ingress of dust is not fully
prevented, but dust must not
enter to such an extent as to
interfere satisfactory operation
of the device or safety.
6 Dust-tight No ingress of dust at a partial
vacuum of 20 mbar inside the
enclosure.
1) Note: The full diameter of the object probe shall not pass through an opening of the enclosure.
3 Protected against spraying
water
4 Protected against splashing
water
Water sprayed at an angle of
up to 60° on either side of the
vertical shall have no harmful
effects.
Water splashed on the enclosure
from every direction must
not have any adverse effects.
5 Protected against water jets Water directed at the enclosure
from every direction in a jet
must not have any harmful
effects.
6 Protected against powerful
water jets
NEMA and IP protection categories are not comparable with one another, because they use completely different test criteria.
NEMA 1
Indoor siting: Protects against falling dirt.
NEMA 2
Indoor siting: Protects against falling dirt,
dripping and lightly splashed liquids.
NEMA 3
Indoor or outdoor siting: Protects against
falling dirt, rain, sleet, snow and windblown
dust; also protects against damage from
external icing on the enclosure.
NEMA 3R
Indoor or outdoor siting: Protects against
falling dirt, rain, sleet and snow; also protects
against damage from external icing on
the enclosure.
NEMA 3S
Indoor or outdoor siting: Protects against
falling dirt, rain, sleet, snow and windblown
dust; the external mechanisms also remain
operational when ice laden.
NEMA 4
Indoor or outdoor siting: Protects against
falling dirt, rain, sleet, snow, wind-driven
dust, splashing and hose-directed water;
also protects against damage from external
icing on the enclosure.
NEMA 4x
Indoor or outdoor siting: Protects against
falling dirt, rain, sleet, snow, windblown dust,
splashing and hose-directed water, and corrosion;
also protects against damage from
external icing on the enclosure.
NEMA 5
Indoor siting: Protects against falling dirt,
settling airborne dust, lint, fibres and airborne
cotton dust as well as dripping and
light splashing of liquids.
NEMA 6
Indoor or outdoor siting: Protects against
falling dirt, hose-directed water and the
ingress of water during occasional, temporary
submersion at a certain depth; also protects
against damage from external icing on
the enclosure.
Water directed at the enclosure
from every direction in a powerful
jet must not have any harmful
effects.
NEMA classification
The National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) is a standards organisation in Washington, USA, which publishes a number of
technical standards but does not test or certify products itself.
The following NEMA classifications outline the protection of individuals from unintentional contact with equipment and the protection of an
enclosure from external factors.
NEMA 6P
Indoor or outdoor siting: Protects against
falling dirt, hose-directed water and the
ingress of water during protracted submersion
at a certain depth; also protects against
damage from external icing on the enclosure.
NEMA 12
Indoor siting: Protects against falling dirt,
circulating dust, lint, fibres and air-borne
cotton dust as well as dripping and light
splashing of liquids.
NEMA 13
Indoor siting: Protects against falling dirt,
circulating dust, lint, fibres and air-borne
cotton dust and against spraying, splashing
and seepage of water, oil and non-corrosive
coolants.
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Engineering and consultancy