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Everything You Need to Know About NEMA Ratings When Cooling a Kiosk or Enclosure

The National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) has set standards for the various types of electrical enclosures commonly used in industrial and other applications. It is important to have a good understanding of these NEMA enclosure ratings, especially when choosing a compatible cooling solution for an outdoor kiosk or ATM.

Photo: Kooltronic, Inc.

March 21, 2022

A little knowledge goes a long way. When it comes to The National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) it is important to have a good understanding of the standards (also known as "ratings" or "types") for electrical enclosures commonly used in industrial and other applications. Each NEMA type relates to specific environmental conditions that an electrical enclosure can protect against. Thermal management products, such as enclosure air conditioners and heat-dissipating cooling fans can also have corresponding NEMA types for the environmental conditions to which they will be exposed. It is recommended that the cooling product be matched to an enclosure with the same NEMA type to ensure the components housed within the enclosure are properly protected.

Examples of NEMA types include:

• NEMA 12 – for indoor use, and protection from dust and dripping liquids.
• NEMA 3R – for indoor or outdoor use, protection from the rain.
• NEMA 4 – for indoor or outdoor use, protection from washdown.
• NEMA 4X– for indoor or outdoor use, protection from corrosive environments.

The chart below provides an abbreviated summary of different environmental conditions and the associated NEMA rating required for commonly used enclosure cooling equipment.

For over 65 years, Kooltronic has offered the most complete line of thermal management and airflow products in the industry. Our experts can help you find the right enclosure cooling solution to meet your project needs with careful consideration of application requirements, environment, installation challenges, budget, and other factors.

Contact an enclosure cooling specialist today!