IEC vs. UL Ratings: What Are the Differences?

Choosing enclosures to protect your company’s equipment isn’t always easy. Enclosures are typically rated differently, and all ratings are important. To determine what kind of rating you’ll require, we’ll look at IEC and UL ratings. Both are useful and important, but your decision will depend on what suits your company’s needs best.

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IEC Ratings

The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) provides a set of IP ratings for electronic and electrical equipment. These standards are international to ensure equipment safety across different markets and different countries. Some of the ratings the IEC provides are as follows:

IP Ratings

The IEC has developed “ingress protection” (IP) ratings, which rate the level of protection that enclosures have against liquids and dust. IP ratings have two numbers. The first number shows the level of protection against dust, while the second number shows the level of protection against liquids. For example, an IP rating of IP 65 has a rating of 6 against dust and a rating of 5 against liquids. Here is the numerical breakdown:

• First Number 0 = No protection
• First Number 1 = Protects against solid objects 50 mm or greater
• First Number 2 = Protects against solid objects 12.5 mm or greater
• First Number 3 = Protects against solid objects 2.5 mm or greater
• First Number 4 = Protects against solid objects 1.0 mm or greater
• First Number 5 = Protects against dust
• First Number 6 = Dust-tight

• Second Number 0 = No protection
• Second Number 1 = Protects against water drops falling vertically
• Second Number 2 = Protects against water drops falling onto a tilted enclosure
• Second Number 3 = Protects against spraying water
• Second Number 4 = Protects against splashing water
• Second Number 5 = Protects against water jets
• Second Number 6 = Protects against powerful water jets
• Second Number 7 = Can withstand temporary immersion in water
• Second Number 8 = Can withstand continuous immersion in water
• Second Number 9 = Protects against high-pressure water jets

Voltage Ratings

IEC ratings are provided for voltage levels as well. These classifications are high, medium and low voltage classifications. For example, an IEC 60038 rating is a standard voltage level, and plugs or portable socket outlets have a voltage rating of IEC 60309-1.

• High to ultra-high voltages: 115,000 to 1,100,000 VAC
• Medium voltage: 2,400 to 69,000 VAC
• Low voltage: 240 to 600 VAC

Current Ratings

IEC standards also provide guidelines for currents, such as circuit breakers and fuses. These guidelines are put in place to ensure that equipment can handle the current levels.

Common IEC Ratings

Some specific IEC ratings are as follows:

• IEC 60320 Connectors: This is the standard rating for many power cords. It ensures that you can safely plug your cord into your electrical appliances. The international voltage for these is 240 volts, and the North American voltage for these is 125 volts.
• IEC 62368: These ratings apply to audio and video equipment.
• IEC 60065: These ratings apply to consumer electronics, specifically audio and video equipment.
• IEC 60601: These ratings apply to medical devices and medical electrical equipment.

UL Ratings

UL ratings are provided by Underwriters Laboratories, a third-party certification company. The company was founded in Chicago in 1894 with the goal of ensuring consumer products are safe to use. These ratings show that the product has gone through rigorous testing to meet specific performance and safety standards. A UL rating covers a wide variety of products and equipment. The UL stamp of approval has three tiers. These are:

• UL Listed: The UL Listed mark is one of the company’s most common marks, and it is designated for stand-alone products. It means the product has been rigorously tested by UL and meets their performance and safety standards. In addition to the testing, the product is free from the risk of fire as well as electric shock in a Division 2 environment. If you have a UL listed seal, your product should be able to withstand the normal wear and tear that comes with everyday use.
• UL Recognized: UL Recognized is often used for machinery and parts that are used to make other products. The label ensures that the machinery is safe to be used by workers in a factory, for example.
• UL Classified: The UL Classified stamp means equipment was tested only for a specific purpose, and the testing and hazard conditions are limited. When machinery or equipment is classified by UL, it means the equipment met specific requirements under a single test.

Additional UL Ratings

UL also offers additional ratings. Some of these are:

• Food and Food Service Equipment: UL designates ratings for food and food service equipment. NSF 2 is for food equipment, NSF 3 is for commercial ware washing equipment, NSF 4 is for commercial cooking equipment, and so on.
• Fire Resistance Products and Systems: UL rates construction and building materials to reduce the risk of fires in buildings. Some fire resistance UL ratings include UL Mark Certification Service and UL-EU Mark Certification Services.
• Hazardous Locations: UL tests flammable and combustible equipment, hydrogen-fueled equipment, and assembly parts. Certifications include UL, C-UL, INMETRO, ATEX or IECEx.

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Different Types of Enclosures

When choosing an enclosure for your business, it’s possible to have one that is simultaneously IEC rated and UL rated.

Steel Enclosures

Polycase offers steel enclosures that are available in different categories and are suitable for heavy manufacturing industries, oil and gas production, pharmaceutical industries, food and beverage processing and wastewater treatment. Categories include the following:

• Electrical
• Flanged-Surface Mount
• Hinged
• IP Rated: IP65 and IP66 ratings
• Junction Box
• NEMA Rated: 1, 2, 4, 4X and 12 ratings
• UL Listed
• Waterproof
• Lockable

You can also mix and match, of course. For example, you can choose an electrical enclosure that is hinged, UL listed and IP rated.

Steel enclosures are made out of either carbon steel, powder-coated carbon steel or stainless steel. Additional accessories include pole mounting kits as well as cable gland and venting solutions.

Plastic Enclosures

If you need non-metallic enclosures, there are a variety of plastic enclosures, too. Polycase offers durable plastic enclosures that are made from flame-retarded ABS and impact-resistant polycarbonate. These are suitable for storing wireless devices, telecommunication devices, remote sensors and more. Like with steel enclosures, you can combine features, such as getting a plastic enclosure that is waterproof, IEC rated and UL rated. Polycase also offers customization options, such as CNC machining and digital printing. There are enclosures for indoor use or outdoor use, too. Some category choices include:

• Desktop
• DIN Rail
• Electrical
• General Use
• Handheld
• IP Rated
• Key Fob
• NEMA Rated
• Plug-In
• UL Listed
• Waterproof
• Lockable

UL-Listed Enclosures

If you need a UL-listed enclosure, Polycase offers hinged enclosures, knockout boxes, pole-mounted enclosures and stainless steel enclosures. It’s important to note that the UL listing is for the stock model. If you choose to make customizations to your enclosure, this could invalidate the UL listing. You can get UL-listed enclosures that have IP ratings (IP65 through IP68). Some of the UL types include:

• UL Type 1 Enclosures: Good for indoor use and provides basic protection against dust but not water
• UL Type 2 Enclosures: Good for environments where water exposure is minimal
• UL Type 3/3R Enclosures: Good for outdoor electronic equipment that will be exposed to the elements
• UL Type 4 Enclosures: Good for equipment exposed to splashing water and dust
• UL Type 4X Enclosures: Good for equipment in corrosive environments
• UL Type 6 Enclosures: Good for equipment that will be temporarily submerged in water
• UL Type 12 Enclosures: Good for equipment that will be used in industrial environments
• UL Type 12K Enclosures: Similar to Type 12, but enclosures have holes for cables to enter and exit

NEMA Enclosures

Finally, if your priority is finding NEMA-rated enclosures, Polycase has a variety to choose from. NEMA enclosures are both waterproof and watertight, and they are available in both plastic and metal. These are suitable for wastewater devices, industrial, telecommunications and alternative energy. You can combine a NEMA-rated enclosure with one that is IP rated as well. The type of NEMA-rated enclosures at Polycase are the following:

• NEMA Type 1 Enclosures: These offer basic protection against dust. They do not provide protection against water, though.
• NEMA Type 2 Enclosures: They offer protection against dripping or light splashing water.
• NEMA Type 3/3R/3S Enclosures: These offer outdoor protection against weather, such as rain, sleet and snow. The 3S enclosures have corrosion-resistant features.
• NEMA Type 4/4X Enclosures: They offer protection against splashing water and wind-blown dust. The 4X enclosures provide corrosion resistance.
• NEMA Type 5 Enclosures: These offer indoor protection against airborne dust and liquids that are non-corrosive.
• NEMA Type 6/6P Enclosures: They offer both indoor and outdoor protection against water when temporarily submerged. The 6P enclosure protects against longer periods of submersion in water.
• NEMA Type 7 Enclosures: These offer explosion-proof protection where there are flammable vapors and gases.
• NEMA Type 8 Enclosures: They offer underwater protection. Ideal for underwater lighting equipment or underwater sensors.
• NEMA Type 9 Enclosures: These offer protection against combustible dust, such as flour and grain.
• NEMA Type 10 Enclosures: They offer indoor protection against dirt and dust.
• NEMA Type 11 Enclosures: These offer indoor protection against non-corrosive liquids and dripping water.
• NEMA Type 12/12K Enclosures: They offer indoor protection against dirt, dust and non-corrosive liquids. The 12K enclosures offer the same protection as type 12 enclosures, but they have holes for cables to enter and exit the enclosure.
• NEMA Type 13 Enclosures: These offer indoor protection against dust, dirt and non-corrosive liquids.

Additional Considerations

Although there are differences between IEC and UL ratings, it’s possible to find enclosures that offer both ratings in one product. This ensures you are protected in more ways than one.

Besides protection and material, there are additional features to think about.

Size

Polycase offers very small enclosures, such as aluminum enclosures measuring 1.97 x 1.77 x 1.12 inches. There are also larger junction boxes, such as the plastic enclosures measuring 15.24 x 15.24 x 7.72 inches or the stainless steel enclosures measuring 15.75 x 11.81 x 7.87 inches. You can find enclosures that are any size within that range.

Visibility

The all-metal enclosures, such as the steel boxes, are metal all around. However, if you need to see the contents inside, you can choose a plastic enclosure that has a clear cover.

Access

How you open the junction box is another feature you should consider. There are lockable enclosures as well as those with hinges. If you need to carry your enclosure around, purchase ones that are handheld.

Weight

Weight is important, especially if you’re going to be carrying your enclosures around from location to location. Our plastic enclosures are the lightest. However, if you are looking for a durable, heavy enclosure, there are a variety of metal ones that can meet your needs.

IEC, UL or Both

IEC and UL ratings are both important ratings that ensure the product you are using is safe. You can choose to prioritize one over the other or get both. By purchasing a product that has been rigorously tested, you can have peace of mind that your equipment will be protected from the elements, water, dust or other foreign objects.

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