Although you might feel overwhelmed when first reviewing the NEMA standards for enclosures, you can quickly determine which type suits your situation by making a list of your required protections. The NEMA type 13 enclosure is designed for use in indoor, nonhazardous locations, and though it resembles the type 12 enclosure in many ways, it offers a unique form of defense as well. So if you need to decide whether you need a type 12 or 13, simply learn about this singular distinction.
Like many other types of enclosures, including NEMA type 12, NEMA type 13 provides a degree of protection against access to hazardous parts. So if personnel often work near the enclosure and the equipment it guards, they should be protected from danger.
Again, like the type 12, the NEMA type 13 enclosure provides a degree of protection against the ingress of solid foreign objects. In addition to warding off falling dirt, it can protect against circulating dust, lint, fibers, and flyings that are nonhazardous (not ignitable fibers or combustible flyings). Plus, it protects against settling airborne dust, lint, fibers, and flyings.
Mimicking the type 12 once again, the NEMA type 13 provides a degree of protection against the ingress of water. What can we say? We told you they were similar! Both protect against dripping and light splashing. They cannot, however, defend your enclosed equipment against heavily splashed water or a complete hosedown. If you’re concerned about water in these forms, consider purchasing a NEMA type 4 or type 6 instead.
NEMA type 12 and 13 have one last thing in common: They both protect against oil and coolant seepage. When it comes to oil and coolant that has been sprayed or splashed, they go their separate ways. Only the NEMA type 13 provides a degree of protection against oil and coolant spraying and splashing. If this is a concern for you, you only have one option: type 13. This type of enclosure also meets oil exclusion and rust resistance design tests.
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As a general-purpose enclosure, the NEMA type 13 is not intended for use in hazardous locations. In addition, it is not as common or popular as the NEMA type 12. Due to its relative rarity, you might have a harder time finding a product that meets your needs. To view all of the NEMA enclosure types, please visit the NEMA website.
Finally, if you’re on the hunt for a company that can manufacture premium metal enclosures on your behalf, check out American Products Contract Manufacturing. Our high-quality, innovative enclosures enable our customers to assist the telecommunications industry in expanding and improving their network services. We offer NEMA type 1, type 2, type 3, type 3-R, type 3X, type 4, and type 4X metal enclosures. Plus, we manufacture these enclosures from aluminum, galvanized steel, carbon steel, and stainless steel to create a rugged and reliable structure and to meet your environment conditions. Give us a call at 1-877-960-3703 to learn more, or request a free quote online.
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