Features of NEMA 12 Electrical Enclosure
- Oil and Coolant Resistant: From the seepage or leakage of oil and coolants among other fluids.
- Indoor Use: Intended for use mainly in interior structures.
- Gasketed Seal: Comes with gasket etc.
- Solid Construction: Constructions are normally of steel, stainless steel, or any other material other than steel such as fiberglass or polycarbonate.
- Lockable Door: Often includes a door which can be opened or locked by a door lock or a door latch.
- Mounting Options: They are available with various possibilities of mounting like wall-mounted, floor-mounted, and floor-less, which means these units are free-standing.
- Dust-Tight Construction: Described with the aim of shielding from the intrusion of dust as well as airborne grit.
- Drip-Tight Design: Give protection against dripping of non-corrosive fluids.
- Corrosion Resistant Coating: Have a protective layer to prevent it from getting corroded.
What is NEMA 12 Enclosure?
A NEMA 12 enclosure is a kind of electrical protective case classified by the National Electrical Manufacturers Association.
These enclosures are intended to cover electrical parts, which must be shielded against dust, dirt, lint, fibers, and dripping on the enclosure of non-corrosive natural liquids. They are designed mainly for enclosed industrial, production, and metalworking environments.
Level of Protection NEMA 12 Provides
Below are some levels of protection provided by NEMA 12 enclosures you might need to know:
- Protection against Dust: Described for some purpose such as covering or protection from dust or any other particle that may be in the air.
- Protection against Dripping Liquids: Prevents dripping of any non-corrosive fluid on the panel.
- Protection against Falling Dirt: This helps protect internal components from falling dirt and debris.
- Protection against Oil and Coolant Seepage: It helps to avoid the mix-up of oil and coolant in the enclosure area.
- Protection in Indoor Environments: This is particularly appropriate when such protections can be done indoors during sporting activities.
How to Choose Electrical Enclosure with NEMA 12 Rating
By considering the following factors, you can definitely choose a NEMA 12 rated electrical enclosure that best suits the needs of your application:
Assess Your Environment
- Ensure that the enclosure is to be installed indoors since the NEMA 12 enclosure is for indoor applications only.
- Identify Contaminants: Check if the environment has dust, dirt, non-corrosive liquids, oil, or coolant.
Material
- Choose Metals: Make use of aluminum, stainless steel or galvanized steel materials for they are strong. They are some of the most durable electrical enclosure materials
- Consider Non-Metallic Options: If you want a lighter material or if you need more chemical protection, get fiberglass or polycarbonate material.
NEMA 12 Enclosure Sizes and Dimensions
- Measure Your Components: Check that the enclosure for the unit can adequately accommodate all internal parts and electrical wiring.
- Consider Space Constraints: Select a type of enclosure that would best suit the space where it will be installed.
Decide on Mounting Options
Although there are different ways to mount electrical enclosures, some popular considerations are:
- Wall-Mounted: Choose this if you would like to be economical with the amount of space on the floor.
- Floor-Mounted: Employ this for great sheds or restricted space on the walls.
- Freestanding: Choose this if you get access from multiple sides.
Ensure Accessibility
- Choose the Right Door Design: Depending on the amount of traffic a particular structure may require single or multiple doors, so you will have to decide.
- Ensure Security: Choose lockable doors if the security of the space is an issue.
Consider NEMA 12 Enclosure Price
- Consider the importance of the features that need to be implemented with the protection measures you intend to put in place against your budget.
Verify Compliance and Standards
- Make sure that the enclosure is NEMA 12 rated and find out if there are other ratings needed for your application such as UL or CSA.
Construction and Design
- Make sure the enclosure is strong and resistant to the environmental factors that may affect the gadget or device.
- Select an enclosure type that is easy to install, operate and maintain.
- Choose enclosures with covering to protect them from corrosion.
- Think about its look if the enclosure will be placed in an area that will be observed by many people.
Where to Use NEMA 12 Electrical Enclosure
You can utilize a NEMA 12 electrical enclosure in different applications and environments to shield your electrical components as follows:
- Manufacturing Plants
Utilize NEMA 12 enclosures as they protect electrical devices from dust, dirt, and other contaminants that may be present in manufacturing zones.
- Processing Plants
Use these covers in areas where there is a need for protection from dripping non-corrosive liquids and oil leakage.
- Automotive Shops
NEMA 12 enclosures should be used for locations that expose your electrical parts in the vicinity of oil, greases, or coolant.
- Food Processing Facilities
Get these enclosures to guard electrical systems against contamination, especially in food processing facilities for hygiene.
- Textile Mills
To avoid contamination of electrical equipment from lint and fibers, particularly in textile mills where fibers and dust are in the air, use the NEMA 12 enclosures.
How does NEMA 12 and NEMA 3R Enclosure Compare?
Here is how they compare:
- NEMA 12 is for indoor usage and meant for protection from dust and non-corrosive water while NEMA 3R is for indoor and outdoor usage and protects from various weather conditions.
- NEMA 12 is dust-tight and NEMA 3R is not dust-proof.
- NEMA 3R offers protection from rain and snow, which is perfect for outdoor application, while NEMA 12 offers indoor protection from dripping liquids.
Can You Use NEMA 12 Outside?
No, NEMA 12 enclosures are not meant to be used outside and you should avoid taking your instrument out in the open area. NEMA 12 enclosures are intended mainly for indoor and protect against dust, dirt, fibers, and dripping non-corrosive liquids. They are not well protected from outdoor environmental factors such as rain, snow, sleet, and unsheltered weather.
How does NEMA 4 vs NEMA 12 Compare?
Their comparison is as follows;
- NEMA 4 is waterproof and this is suitable in areas that are exposed to rain or snow and or in areas where splashes are likely to occur. NEMA 12 is not watertight and is meant for indoor use only.
- NEMA 4 is designed to be used both indoors and outdoors, whereas NEMA 12 is used only indoors.
Do NEMA 12 Enclosure Have Cooling System?
No, normally, the NEMA 12 enclosures do not come with in-built cooling systems. However, it’s possible to add options to cool the internal temperature. This includes ventilation grids, fans, heat exchangers, air conditioning, and vortex coolers while keeping protected from dust, dirt, and other non-corrosive fluids.
At KDM, we design a range of NEMA 12 rated electrical enclosures depending on our customer requirements. Our electrical enclosures are designed to conform to relevant NEMA standards.
For all your electrical enclosures, contact us now.