NEMA 4X enclosure

[a10jp]

Can you have ventilation openings for a NEMA 4X rated enclosure? Would that contratdict the definition of NEMA 4X, menaing splash-proof and protection against hose-down situation?

 

[bisonprofab]

Yes, drilling a drain hole with no additional protection will void an enclosure’s NEMA 4X rating. However, there are a couple of options on the market for removing moisture or condensation from within a NEMA 4X enclosure.

- Crouse-Hinds offers a NEMA 4X breather/drain. Installed properly, it will allow you to eliminate condensation from inside the enclosure while still maintaining a NEMA 4X rating. It doesn’t provide much in the way of ventilation, but it’s a good solution for eliminating interior condensation. We’ve installed these on NEMA 4X enclosures we’ve manufactured and have gotten good results.

- If you’re looking to ventilate the enclosure and eliminate internal moisture, IceQube (

http://www.iceqube.com)

has a filtered fan package that is rated NEMA 4X. It can even be used in wash-down situations. We’ve designed and manufactured NEMA 4X enclosures using their equipment for a forced fan ventilation system, and we haven’t heard any complaints or issues from our customers.

Just because it’s a NEMA 4X enclosure doesn’t mean it can’t be ventilated or have moisture removal features.

Bison ProFab

http://www.bisonprofab.com