IP54 Vs. Nema 4X, Which protection is superior?

[SAMBOY]

Hi guys,

I'm a bit confused to which is superior in protection (degree) Nema 4X or IP54. I have an RFQ to one of pioneering manufacturer of RMU's and I specified therein a Nema4X enclosure (actually that is the strict specifications of the end-user), but the manufacturer insists on doing an IP54 enclosure because according to them its superior than Nema 4X. Need your advice. Thanks

 

[ScottyUK]

You could always try Google for an explanation of the meanings of the two systems. I just entered "nema ip ratings" and up came about 17,100 hits. Amazing, huh.

http://www.ezscreen.com/ip_ratings.htm

http://www.esis.com.au/NEMAtoIP.htm

http://www.conformity.com/0502/0502understanding.html

IP54 is inferior to NEMA4X. Consensus seems to be that IP65 or IP66 is more-or-less equivalent.



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If we learn from our mistakes,
I'm getting a great education!

 

[ElecDar]

The below table was extract from NEMA Standards Publication 250-2003, “Enclosures for Electrical Equipment (1000 Volts Maximum)”

Table A-1
[From NEMA 250-2003]

Enclosure
Type Number IEC Enclosure
Classification Designation
1 IP10
2 IP11
3 IP54
3R IP14
3S IP54
4 and 4X IP56
5 IP52
6 AND 6P IP67
12 AND 12K IP52
13 IP54

This comparison is based on tests specified in IEC Publication 60529

Also not that Table A-1 above provides an equivalent conversion from the enclosure Type numbers in this Standard to the IEC Enclosure Classification Designations. The enclosure type numbers meet or exceed the test requirements for the associated IEC Classification; for this reason Table A-1 cannot be used to convert from IEC Classifications to enclosure Type numbers.