NEMA 1 vs. NEMA 12

 A NEMA 1 enclosure and a NEMA 12 enclosure provide substantially different levels of protection for an electrical or electronic device. Device designers and engineers need to know the difference to ensure that their devices have the necessary protection from environmental hazards.In this article, we’ll discuss the differences between these two common enclosure ratings and why those differences matter. Let’s start our analysis of NEMA 1 vs. NEMA 12 by covering the basics of NEMA ratings that you need to know before making your decision about which enclosure rating to use.

NEMA Rating Basics

How does a NEMA rating work? Basically, it’s an alphanumeric system that rates how well an enclosure protects against various environmental hazards. These hazards include:

• Contact with foreign objects
• Particulate matter such as dirt and dust
• Dripping and splashing liquids
• High-pressure hose cleaning
• Corrosion from chemicals and/or salt water

Higher numbers in the NEMA rating system usually mean a higher degree of protection, but not always. While a NEMA 12 enclosure does provide more protection than a NEMA 1, a NEMA 12 is not the highest grade of protection available (despite its high numeric rating). Other ratings, like NEMA 4X and NEMA 6P, provide much more substantial protection from dust and liquid ingress.You can read up on the full NEMA ratings system in Polycase’s guide to NEMA ratings. Now, let’s take a closer look at the key features of NEMA 1 and NEMA 12 enclosures, including their protective qualities and recommended applications.

NEMA 1 Enclosures

NEMA 1 enclosures offer the most basic level of protection of any NEMA enclosure. A NEMA 1-rated enclosure protects its contents from accidental contact with objects or personnel. A NEMA 1 enclosure, does not offer any substantial protection against dust or liquid ingress.You’ll often find NEMA 1 enclosures in use in offices, retail establishments and other settings where a device is unlikely to encounter splashing liquid, flying debris or other common hazards. In these environments, the main purpose of an electrical or electronics enclosure is to secure the device against accidental contact and/or unauthorized access.Polycase offers a full selection of NEMA 1 enclosures, including popular and cost-effective models like our WA Series of ABS plastic enclosures. Many of our NEMA 1 enclosures also have higher NEMA ratings that make them versatile solutions for all kinds of applications.Thermostats are a common application for both NEMA 1 and NEMA 12 enclosures.

NEMA 12 Enclosures

NEMA 12 enclosures are among the most popular electrical and electronic enclosure types for indoor use. They offer a balanced level of protection that keeps out many common hazards while remaining cost-effective.NEMA 12 enclosures are frequently found in light industrial and service sector settings where a level of dust and liquid protection is required. They provide more protection than a NEMA 1 enclosure against both solid and liquid ingress. A NEMA 12 enclosure will stand up to common hazards such as settling dust, dripping water and condensation of non-corrosive liquids on the outside of the enclosure.Polycase also offers a wide selection of NEMA 12 enclosures such as the versatile and attractive Polycase AN Series of aluminum electronics enclosures. Before you make your selection, though, there’s one key caveat about NEMA 1 and NEMA 12 enclosures that you should know: Both are designed only for indoor use.

Which Ratings Are Good for Outdoor Enclosures?

Neither NEMA 12 nor NEMA 1 enclosures are recommended for outdoor use. Devices that need outdoor-grade protection from dust and weather should have a NEMA 3 enclosure, NEMA 4 enclosure or NEMA 6 enclosure.See our complete selection of outdoor NEMA enclosures to learn more about the outdoor-grade protection that these enclosures offer. You can also find out more about outdoor enclosures through our Polycase TechTalk blog, where we offer key tips on evaluating enclosures for outdoor use, including comparisons of common NEMA ratings such as NEMA 12 vs. NEMA 4.Knowing how to choose the right NEMA enclosure rating makes all the difference in selecting an enclosure that offers the right protective qualities. For more information on NEMA ratings and enclosure protection, contact Polycase online or call us at 1-800-248-1233 to speak to our electrical enclosure experts.