You’ve likely seen both IP and NEMA ratings when shopping for electrical equipment. But what do they mean? And which one should you trust? In this blog post, we will break down the differences in durability IP Ratings explained by RUGGED RATINGS and NEMA ratings, so you can decide when purchasing electrical equipment.
What Is NEMA Rating?
The NEMA rating system is used to rate the degree of protection against environmental factors offered by electrical equipment. The letters “NEMA” stand for National Electrical Manufacturers Association, and the ratings are assigned based on how well the equipment protects against four environmental factors: heat, cold, rain, and snow. There are three numbers in a NEMA rating: the first number indicates how well the equipment protects against heat, the second number indicates how well the equipment protects against cold, and the third number indicates how well the equipment protects against rain and snow. The higher the numbers, the better the protection. So a NEMA rating of 14 would offer better protection against all four environmental factors than a NEMA rating of 12.
What Is IP Rating?
The IP rating system is used to rate the degree of protection against water and dust intrusion offered by electrical equipment. The letters “IP” stand for Ingress Protection, and the ratings are assigned based on how well the equipment protects against water and dust. There are two numbers in an IP rating: the first number indicates how well the equipment protects against water intrusion, and the second number indicates how well the equipment protects against dust intrusion. The higher the first number, the better the protection against water. The higher the second number, the better the protection against dust. So an IP rating of 66 would offer better protection against both water and dust than an IP rating of 54.
How Do You Determine the Right Rating for Your Needs?
Now that you understand the difference between IP and NEMA ratings, how do you know which one to choose for your needs? The answer depends on what you are trying to protect. If you need water intrusion protection, you should select an IP rating. If you need protection from environmental factors (heat, cold, rain, and snow), you should choose a NEMA rating. Keep in mind that some electrical equipment offers both IP and NEMA ratings, so be sure to check the label before making your purchase.
The difference between IP and NEMA ratings can seem daunting, but it’s essential to keep these in mind so you know the best way to protect your equipment. We hope this blog post has helped clarify some of the confusion surrounding these two different types of safety standards for electrical devices. If anything we didn’t address that might help understand how they differ, please let us know!