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When it comes to choosing an electronics enclosure, understanding NEMA ratings is vital. If you’re currently considering a NEMA 6P enclosure, then it’s especially important that you have a basic understanding of what this rating means.
In this post, we’d like to clear up any confusion over this rating and help you choose the right NEMA 6P enclosure for your application.
What Does a NEMA 6P Enclosure Protect Against?
Before we explain what exactly NEMA 6P enclosures protect against, we should first define NEMA 6 enclosures. Although they share some similarities, they are two different types of enclosures.
According to NEMA specifications, NEMA 6 enclosures are designed for indoor or outdoor use and are used to protect the equipment inside the enclosure against ingress of solid foreign objects (such as falling dirt), ingress of water such as hose-directed water and occasional water submersion (not prolonged and at a limited depth) and ice formation on the enclosure.
NEMA 6P enclosures are designed to protect against all the same harmful effects as NEMA 6 enclosures and have added protection for prolonged water submersion (not continuous) and additional protection against corrosion.
From housing electromagnetic flowmeters in the wastewater industry to monitoring wildlife in remote caves, NEMA 6P enclosures are found in a wide range of applications. The following are just a few examples of the ways in which NEMA 6P enclosures are being used today:
Enclosures built for the water and wastewater industries must be carefully designed to withstand water conditions that may be hostile. Although both potable and contaminated water can pose a threat to sensitive electronics, wastewater contains additional corrosive agents.
Along with human waste, wastewater can also include urban rainfall, industrial waste, or industrial site drainage. To withstand wet and hostile environments, enclosures must be designed to resist corrosion and repel water. NEMA 6P enclosures give operators peace of mind that their electronics are properly protected in water and wastewater treatment plants.
With more consumers shifting to electric vehicles (EV), manufacturers are focused on making high-quality EV chargers that are reliable and safe. To ensure consumer safety, many EV chords and chargers are now constructed using NEMA 6P enclosures which make them waterproof and extremely durable.
Enclosures in the solar and alternative energy industries may be subject to all sorts of inclement weather. From high heat and direct sunlight to freezing cold temperatures, electronics can be damaged in extreme temperature fluctuations.
Not only that, but enclosures in the solar and alternative energy industry must repel heavy rain, sleet, and ice. To keep electronics safe, NEMA 6P enclosures are a sure bet against the elements. Built specifically to survive tough outdoor applications, NEMA 6P enclosures keep operations running smoothly through every storm.
NEMA 6P enclosures are often used in both predictable and unpredictable applications. Perhaps an example of the latter is the use of NEMA 6P enclosures to explore and observe wildlife in remote areas.
To monitor bats and fauna inside a deep network of caves in Borneo, scientists used a NEMA 6P enclosure to house their rugged cameras. Able to withstand heat, moisture, winds, rain, and dust, the enclosure allowed scientists to observe bats in their natural habitat without disturbing them.
If you need to protect sensitive equipment, it’s essential to use a high-quality enclosure that is designed to withstand water.
NEMA 6P enclosures are also used in the following applications:
You can also customize your NEMA 6P enclosures with cutouts (in any size or shape) and digitally printed graphics.
NEMA 6P enclosures are available in a wide variety of styles, sizes and materials. For example, you could choose a smaller 6 x 4 x 4 in. enclosure or a 16 x 14 x 8 in. enclosure, a hinged or non-hinged enclosure, or select impact-resistant polycarbonate.
NEMA ratings can be confusing. Choose too high of a rating and you could waste money, while too low of a rating could mean damage to your electronics or harm to the operator.
NEMA 6P enclosures share many of the characteristics of NEMA 6 enclosures, but it’s important that you choose the right enclosure for your application. If you have further questions regarding NEMA-rated enclosures, contact us to discuss your specific requirements with one of our knowledgeable customer service representatives.