Electrical Enclosures: What is the difference between NEMA 4 and NEMA 4X Enclosure?
HERE IS A COMPARISON OF THE NEMA 4 & 4X RATINGS
**(Type 4 Rating has 2 types 4 and 4X)
All type 4 NEMA enclosures give the same level of protection against solid and liquid. However, NEMA 4X provides extra protection feature from corrosion caused by several factors including exposure to water-rain. However, it is important to note the NEMA type 4 electrical enclosures cannot be submerged in water. NEMA 4X enclosures are made from corrosion resistant materials and a majority of the materials are made from stainless steel and aluminum. On the other hand, NEMA 4 enclosures are commonly made from carbon steel, which doesn’t provide corrosive resistance characteristic.
Major Difference between NEMA 4 & 4X Explained
In line with the demand of different industrial companies, there is an increasing need for protection for the necessary equipment from potential dangers such as electrical breakers. The potential dangers are the following: foreign substances, extreme weather conditions, human contact that can cause electrical circuitry. These are the reasons, why equipment are placed inside the enclosures.
Of all the different ranges of NEMA ratings, NEMA 4 enclosure has gained popularity and widely utilized for the protection it provides protection to the housed electrical equipment from foreign elements, extreme weather including ice formation on the exterior of an electrical enclosure. Aside, from this, NEMA 4/4x also provides extra added protection feature – this is the lowest rated dust-proof NEMA electrical enclosure. Not only this enclosure provides extra protection, but it can also protect equipment from the splashing or hose-directed water. Even though NEMA 4 and 4x offers great protecting features against solid object and ingress of water, this enclosure is not used for any hazardous applications or use because it is not the explosion-proof enclosure.