Look for These Certifications When Choosing the Right Industrial Enclosure for Harsh Applications

January 27, 2024
Harsh environmental conditions are part of the modern manufacturing landscape, especially as the EV charging station network in North America continues to grow. The number of public EV charging stations increased by almost 5% in the first quarter of this year, and the number of private EV charging stations increased by a little more than 3%.
The ability to facilitate a nationwide EV charging infrastructure relies on the durability and reliability of the industrial enclosures used in station construction. While the kind of material and design features can help identify whether an outdoor enclosure is suited for challenging or intense environments, there are a variety of certifications engineers should look for when specifying enclosures for these kinds of deployments.
This article will look at a couple of these certifications to help you better understand whether you’re choosing the right industrial enclosures for harsh applications.
What is a NEMA rating?
The NEMA rating system classifies industrial enclosures in terms of protection from environmental elements and how well the enclosure can combat common safety hazards, including dangers like arc flash. NEMA ratings also demonstrate an enclosure’s ability to prevent issues stemming from prolonged use in harsh conditions, in particular corrosion, which can hamper enclosure performance and efficiency.
The NEMA standard is predominantly used in North America, and there are about 600 different standards designers need to consider when choosing the right enclosure for their applications. Some of the more common NEMA ratings for use in outdoor manufacturing conditions include:
- NEMA Type 3R: NEMA 3R ratings designate enclosures that are rain tight, protect against ice formation, and are resistant to corrosion. These enclosures are also rated to protect against falling dirt and other airborne particles.
- NEMA Type 4: Engineered to be watertight and dust-tight, these enclosures are suitable for all outdoor applications, particularly solar power generation and storage facilities. NEMA 4 enclosures are usually constructed using a powder-coated sheet steel material, and NEMA 4 enclosures are frequently deployed in continental applications, including solar power generation and distribution facilities.
- NEMA Type 4X: These enclosures are watertight, dust-tight, and corrosion resistant, in large part due to a stainless steel design. This type of industrial enclosure commonly uses a stainless steel or polymeric steel construction, which makes it ideal for coastal outdoor environments, particularly oil & gas refineries.
How do IP ratings work?
IP ratings, which are used worldwide and governed by the International Electrotechnical Commission, are two-digit ratings that demonstrate an enclosure’s ingress protection, or the ability of the enclosure to prevent the intrusion of particles.
The first digit in an IP standard ranges from 0 to 6 and represents how well the industrial enclosure prevents the ingress of solid particles, like dirt or dust. A “1” on this scale means an enclosure provides no protection against dust particles, while a “6” means an enclosure is dust tight. The second digit ranges from 0 to 9 and signifies an enclosure’s ability to prevent the ingress of moisture, with a “9” meaning an enclosure can protect against high-pressure and high-temperature water from any direction.
For example, an enclosure with an IP 66 certification means the enclosure is dust-tight and can withstand a high level of moisture saturation without incurring performance issues or failure.
What about UL ratings?
UL ratings are governed by the Underwriters Laboratory (UL), a third-party organization that verifies the electrical safety and protection capability of an industrial enclosure. UL-listed enclosures undergo a range of rigorous tests to ensure equipment can prevent a variety of common hazards in modern manufacturing.
The UL standard applies to a wide variety of industrial or commercial equipment, and there are more than 1,700 individual standards. The scope of UL ratings means they apply to more than just enclosures — they include ratings for enclosure cooling units and accessories to help engineers ensure the safety and protection of their entire automation infrastructure.
Rittal offers a number of industrial enclosures, enclosure cooling units, and accessories that adhere to UL standards, including the new AX Ex wall mount enclosure, filter fan cooling units, and its line of enclosure plinth systems.
With the right industrial enclosures, engineers can create an automation infrastructure that can handle the toughest manufacturing environments without compromising productivity and efficiency.

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