Here is a little information that Presto Lifts thought would be helpful in understanding NEMA standards.
When equipment is going to be exposed to water special consideration has to be given to the electrical system. The National Electrical Manufacturers’ Association (NEMA) is the US organization that has set protection standards for electrical enclosures and is the equivalent to European IP ratings. An enclosure is a surrounding case constructed to provide a degree of protection to personnel against incidental contact with the enclosed equipment (i.e. transformer, motor starter, relay and pushbutton contacts) and to provide a degree of protection to the enclosed equipment against specific environmental conditions. The following is a brief description of each NEMA type enclosure. NEMA types 1,4 and 12 are the most common types of enclosures used with the Presto Lifts equipment.
- NEMA 1 GENERAL PURPOSE: These enclosures are suitable for general purpose applications indoors where atmospheric conditions are normal. These enclosures are primarily used to prevent accidental contact of personnel with the enclosed equipment. They also serve as protection against falling dust, but are not dust tight.
- NEMA 4 WATER TIGHT/DUST TIGHT: These enclosures are intended for indoor or outdoor use to provide protection against windblown dust and rain, splashing water, and hose directed water from any angle, however, they are not submersible. They are suitable for application in dairies, breweries, etc. (WATER WASH DOWN)
- NEMA 12 DUST TIGHT/DRIP TIGHT: Industrial enclosures intended for use indoors to provide protection against fibers, fillings, lint, dust, dirt, seepage, dripping and external condensation of noncorrosive liquids.
Changing direction in a tight space is always a challenge. This automotive plant has a cart that needs to maneuver within a very tight work cell area several times a day. The solution needed to be floor level and rotate 360 degrees. 