One of the quickest ways to determine whether an electronics enclosure will meet your needs is to look at its NEMA rating. This rating system will give you key information on its protective performance—but it’s important to understand the ratings thoroughly before making your selection. Here, we’ll take a look at some of the most common questions our customers ask us about NEMA 1-rated enclosures, and what Polycase can offer to our customers who need them.
frequently asked questions

1. What are NEMA ratings?

NEMA ratings are a convenient system established by the National Electrical Manufacturers Association to rate how well various types of electrical enclosures protect against environmental hazards such as dust and dirt, water ingress (whether hose-directed, precipitation or submersion) and corrosion. To start learning about what the different ratings mean, check out the official NEMA ratings chart and investigate the different levels of protection each rating indicates. Make sure to read the ratings carefully, since they don’t always proceed in strict numerical order and that some “lower” ratings actually provide a higher grade of protection than numerically higher ones.

2. What does NEMA 1 mean?

NEMA 1 is the most basic level of NEMA-rated protection. A NEMA 1-rated enclosure is rated to protect against small amounts of falling dirt, as well as accidental contact by employees or tools with live components inside the enclosure. A NEMA 1 rating does not provide significant protection against liquid ingress (such as splashing or hose-jet water).

3. What are the typical uses of a NEMA 1 enclosure?

NEMA 1 enclosures are typically used as the most basic level of protection for electronics. All kinds of equipment can be housed inside them, from industrial control panels to A/V controls to security systems. Generally, you’ll see NEMA 1 enclosures used for applications which don’t involve significant environmental hazards, but need a basic electronics enclosure for safety and security.

4. Can I use a NEMA 1 enclosure outdoors?

NEMA 1 enclosures are typically only recommended for indoor use. They may be sufficient in a few outdoor environments, but if you need outdoor-grade protection, the best idea is always to use an enclosure with a rating that’s intended for outdoor use such as a NEMA 3, NEMA 4 or NEMA 6.

5. What is the difference between NEMA 1 and NEMA 12?

A NEMA 12-rated enclosure provides a higher degree of protection than a NEMA 1. A NEMA 12-rated enclosure protects against:
    • Accidental contact with components
    • Airborne dust, dirt and debris
  • Dripping and light splashing of water
NEMA 12 enclosures are a great choice for professionals who work in indoor environments, such as factories, where substantial protection is necessary. However, you should still consider a higher grade of protection such as NEMA 3 or NEMA 4 if your device needs outdoor protection. engineer repairng electronic equipment

6. What is the difference between NEMA 1 and NEMA 3?

Generally, NEMA 3 is the minimum level of protection recommended for an outdoor enclosure. NEMA 3 enclosures will provide protection against:
    • Accidental contact with components
    • Airborne dust, dirt and debris
    • Precipitation such as rain, snow and sleet
  • Damage from ice forming on the outside of the enclosure
NEMA 3 enclosures also include some unique subtypes such as the NEMA 3S and NEMA 3R ratings:
    • A NEMA 3S-rated enclosure is specially designed so that its external controls will still be operable even if ice has formed on the enclosure’s exterior
  • A NEMA 3R- or 3RX-rated enclosure typically doesn’t offer the same windblown dust protection that other NEMA 3 enclosures do, but can offer some cost savings if you don’t need these features

7. What NEMA 1 options are available from Polycase?

Polycase has numerous NEMA 1-rated enclosures available. Almost all of them also have higher ratings such as NEMA 3, NEMA 4 and above. These enclosures provide high-grade protection no matter whether you’re working with an indoor or outdoor application:
    • The WH Series–polycarbonate NEMA 4X-rated outdoor enclosures with hinges and a waterproof gasket
    • The YH Series–ultra-durable polycarbonate NEMA 6P-rated outdoor enclosures with stainless steel hinges and optional transparent covers
    • The SB Series–heavy-duty steel outdoor enclosures with keyed latches rated up to NEMA 4X
    • The ML Series-Polycarbonate NEMA 4X enclosures designed for a wide variety of outdoor applications.
  • The SA Series–premium-quality stainless steel outdoor enclosures rated up to NEMA 4X
WH-02 WH Series Hinged NEMA Enclosures

Polycase WH-02 Enclosure

NEMA-rated enclosures from Polycase offer an ideal balance of cost-effective performance. To learn more about any kind of enclosure we offer, including our numerous options for customized machining and printing on our enclosures, give us a call at 1-800-248-1233 or get a quote online today.
In NEMA Rated Enclosures