---
title: "NEMA enclosure rating"
description: "NEMA enclosure ratings are the US National Electrical Manufacturers Association standards for electrical-enclosure protection, paralleling the IEC IP code used internationally. Common ratings encountered on sonic-horn accessories:"
canonical_url: "https://sylio.co/glossary/nema-enclosure-rating"
last_updated: "2026-06-28T02:29:35.552Z"
---

**NEMA enclosure ratings** are the US National Electrical Manufacturers Association standards for electrical-enclosure protection, paralleling the [IEC IP code](/glossary/ip66-ip65-enclosure-rating) used internationally. Common ratings encountered on sonic-horn accessories:

<table>
<thead>
  <tr>
    <th>
      NEMA rating
    </th>
    
    <th>
      Description
    </th>
    
    <th>
      IP equivalent
    </th>
  </tr>
</thead>

<tbody>
  <tr>
    <td>
      NEMA 4
    </td>
    
    <td>
      Watertight; indoor / outdoor
    </td>
    
    <td>
      IP66
    </td>
  </tr>
  
  <tr>
    <td>
      NEMA 4X
    </td>
    
    <td>
      Watertight + corrosion-resistant
    </td>
    
    <td>
      IP66 +
    </td>
  </tr>
  
  <tr>
    <td>
      NEMA 7
    </td>
    
    <td>
      Class I Div 1 hazardous-area
    </td>
    
    <td>
      (no direct IP equivalent)
    </td>
  </tr>
  
  <tr>
    <td>
      NEMA 9
    </td>
    
    <td>
      Class II Div 1 hazardous-area (dust)
    </td>
    
    <td>
      (no direct IP equivalent)
    </td>
  </tr>
  
  <tr>
    <td>
      NEMA 12
    </td>
    
    <td>
      Industrial indoor, dust-tight
    </td>
    
    <td>
      IP55
    </td>
  </tr>
</tbody>
</table>

## Cross-referencing

US-market sonic-horn installations typically specify NEMA ratings; European-market installations use IP ratings. Vendors serving both markets cite the equivalent rating from the other standard for clarity.

## Related terms

- [IP66 / IP65 enclosure rating](/glossary/ip66-ip65-enclosure-rating)