Standard NEMA Enclosure Sizes

Selecting the right sized enclosure will set you up for success in creating your electrical or electronic device. Polycase offers standard NEMA enclosure sizes–from small to extra-large–and our wide selection ensures that most customers will be able to find the perfect size right off the shelf. For customers who already know the exact dimensions that their application requires, take a look at our product sizes page, where you can search by dimensions and find the ideal NEMA enclosure size.. But what if you’re not quite sure what NEMA enclosure size your device needs? No problem—Polycase is here to help. For your convenience, we’ve divided our list into size categories, with some quick tips and facts about common applications and available options for each. Control switch in factory

What Size Enclosure Do You Need?

The first step to figuring out which size enclosure you need is measuring the dimensions of your device and components. Use device prototypes or schematics to estimate the footprint that your enclosure will require. There are several key factors you’ll need to take into account when deciding on your enclosure size. If your enclosure will be mounted on a wall or DIN rail, account for the space that the mounting hardware and mounting holes will occupy. Additionally, if your device includes components that will protrude, such as pushbuttons, control panels or switches, measure the depth of these components and account for it in the depth of your enclosure. Make sure that you’ve planned adequately for the heat dissipation needs of the device that will be inside the enclosure. Consult with your engineering or R&D departments to find out what kind of heat dissipation techniques the device will require and how much space will need to be allocated for heat sinks and/or venting. Include these space allocations when deciding what size of enclosure your project will need. Finally, if you’re selecting an enclosure for a device that will be mass-produced on an assembly line, remember to include adequate space for assembly. Whether it’s humans or automated technologies doing the assembling, space is a necessary consideration to ensure that there’s room to work when installing the components. If in doubt, it’s usually better to go with an enclosure that’s a little bigger than what you need than one that’s a little smaller. With these in mind, let’s take a look at the standard NEMA enclosure sizes available from Polycase.

Small Electronics Enclosures (1 to 6 Inches)

Our smallest sizes of enclosures are designed to provide a secure environment for small electrical and electronics devices of all kinds. They offer compact performance and a minimal footprint that allows them to be easily integrated into all kinds of systems and products. Our customers often use these enclosures for consumer electronics, junction boxes, scientific instruments and many other applications. Some of the most common applications for NEMA enclosures this size include:

Battery housings for smaller electronics
Wireless device housings
Thermostats and security system consoles
Security camera housings
Junction and wiring boxes
Utility control boxes and meters
Telecommunications equipment and antennas
Remote sensors
Programmable logic controllers
Consumer electronic devices
Terminal block housings

Polycase’s most popular small enclosures include our AN Series diecast aluminum enclosures, with an ultra-tough NEMA 6P rating and natural EMI protection. For applications that need a polycarbonate enclosure, the WP Series offers some of our best small enclosures with NEMA 4X protection.

Medium Electronics Enclosures (6 to 12 Inches)

Our medium electronics enclosure sizes are the next step up for customers who need a bigger enclosure. At 6 to 12 inches, these enclosures offer a larger size with expanded capacity, but are still small enough to conserve footprint space in a work environment. You can often find medium-sized NEMA enclosures used for purposes such as:

Battery housings for medium-sized electronic devices
Surge suppression equipment
Remote sensors
Junction and wiring boxes
Utility control boxes and meters
Security system controls
Programmable logic controllers

Our customers who need medium-sized NEMA enclosures love our models like the WC Series, a rugged polycarbonate enclosure with a corrosion-resistant NEMA 4X rating, available with a solid or clear cover. Or check out our NEMA 6P-rated HD Series polycarbonate enclosures, designed for the ultimate protection in the toughest conditions.

Polycase WC-40

Large Electronics Enclosures (12 to 18 Inches)

Our large sizes of NEMA electrical and electronics enclosures offer rugged performance and plenty of space. Polycase customers often use these enclosures for larger and more complex equipment and electrical components. Large enclosures are good for applications such as:

Battery housings for large electronic devices
Breaker panel boxes
Surge suppression equipment
Industrial machinery control consoles
Programmable logic controllers
Junction and wiring boxes
Marine applications

Polycase offers plenty of options for those customers seeking large-sized enclosures. Our ZH Series polycarbonate enclosures are rated up to NEMA 6P and feature a hinged cover. And our SB Series steel enclosures offer NEMA 4X protection in a variety of larger sizes with tough construction from 16-gauge carbon steel.

Extra-Large Electronics Enclosures (18 to 24 Inches)

Polycase also offers enclosures in extra-large sizes from 18 up to 24 inches. These enclosure sizes provide maximum space for large electrical and electronic assemblies and feature the same resilient design as our other enclosure sizes. Our extra-large enclosure sizes are popular for applications including:

Transformer housings
Battery housings for very large electronic devices (including renewable energy storage)
Breaker panel boxes
Industrial machinery control consoles
Junction and wiring boxes
Marine transport applications

For durable protection with plenty of room inside, our stainless steel SA Series enclosures are unmatched, and feature NEMA 4X-rated protection against corrosion and harsh weather conditions. Our WQ Series polycarbonate enclosures also features extra-large models with a NEMA 4X rating and hinged design for easy access.

More Resources to Help You Choose the Right Enclosure

Polycase is always happy to help our customers find the enclosure solutions that fit their needs. If you need more information to determine which enclosure type is best for you, make sure to also check out the following resources:

NEMA Ratings Guide
IP Ratings Guide
8 Most Common Types of Electrical Enclosures
Choosing the Best Enclosure Material
National Electrical Code Standards

Finally, if you know you need an enclosure with a specific NEMA rating, you can jump straight to the ratings you need here:

Polycase SA-54 Enclosure

Polycase offers NEMA and IP-rated electronics enclosures in an industry-leading range of enclosure sizes and in a full spectrum of materials and designs. And when you’re ready to place your enclosure order, we make it quick and easy with one-stop enclosure customization options including custom CNC cutouts and digital printing. Call our enclosure experts at 1-800-248-1233 or use our online quote tool to get started.

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