NEMA 4X Enclosures - What to Know Before You Buy

Finding the right NEMA enclosure is vital for any automation system. It is most important for processes that deal with liquids like water treatment systems, wastewater management systems, and breweries. The National Electronic Manufacturers Association (NEMA) has a scale of 1–13 that defines the type of circumstances for which each enclosure is suitable. The range is meant to assist manufacturers in choosing the right enclosure to protect their equipment. Selection of an inappropriate electrical enclosure can lead to accidents, damage of equipment, wasting of time, and money. A poor choice will also lead to a drop in performance and productivity when the electrical enclosure fails. West Tool Enclosures (WTE) strives to make the best electrical enclosures in the country. We are longtime suppliers for most municipalities, industries, and wastewater management systems in the country. With a vast catalog of sizes and configurations to choose from. Get Started here!

What Is a NEMA 4X Enclosure?

The NEMA 4X stainless steel electrical enclosures are best known to be corrosion resistant, all-weather resistant, and they provide the ultimate protection from dust particles, foreign object ingress, and hose-directed water. The NEMA 4X electrical enclosure is among the most highly ranked, heavy-duty electrical boxes.

What Are the NEMA 4X Requirements?

For electrical enclosures to fall under the classification of a NEMA 4X, it has to meet all the requirements of the industry standards. It should cater to both indoor and outdoor uses. It must withstand intense water splashing and hose-directed water. It must be airtight to prevent moisture, dust, lint, or insects from getting inside. It should be all-weather resistant for convenience purposes. All NEMA 4X electrical enclosures can be fitted with internal cooling systems to prevent overheating in high-temperature locations. They have seals to keep the equipment safe, uncontaminated, and clean. The essential quality is being corrosion resistant, which means the enclosure must offer protection from exposure to corrosive elements likes acids, gases, and even bacteria. Chemical, freshwater, and marine environments are obvious locations that would require WTE’s corrosion-resistant NEMA 4X electrical enclosure.

Can WTE Guarantee Reliability?

Yes, we can. All of the NEMA 4X stainless steel electrical enclosures constructed at WTE undergo rigorous testing as per the industry standards. First of all, we use high strength stainless steel, which is corrosion resistant, durable, and beautiful. It is also all-weather resistant. The structure of the unit won’t lose shape due to ice or rust. As per NEMA guidelines, the product undergoes a corrosion test, including 800 hours of salt spray. The other tests involve exposing the final product for 1,200 hours to humid air with carbon dioxide and sulfur dioxide. All NEMA 4X products at WTE undergo the same criteria to ensure they meet the NEMA and UL rating.

What Are the Applications of NEMA 4X Enclosure?

There are three primary applications of the NEMA 4X Enclosure across the industries.

Corrosive Environments

These stainless steel electrical boxes are suitable for environments with corrosive substances. Corrosive materials may be naturally occurring or as a result of manufacturing processes. The enclosure protects electrical equipment from damage or contamination. It prevents corrosive gases, vapors, and liquids from penetrating inside the box. WTE can make special electrical enclosures for unique circumstances. We can test the final products before use to ensure they are reliable for your company. You can request your enclosure be outfitted with a cooling system for operating in locations with high temperatures. The enclosed boxes are highly suitable for systems that deal with chemicals in daily operations.

Environments with Heavy Splashes and Washdowns

The NEMA 4X enclosure is suitable for systems that regularly wash equipment, for example the food processing industry, which is expected to conduct thorough washdowns for hygiene purposes. The enclosures also come in handy for enterprises that use high-pressure cleaning equipment. You should use these electrical enclosures in marine environments since saltwater is corrosive. Businesses near the sea should protect their junction boxes with the NEMA 4X enclosure rating.

Industries that mix items like chemicals can utilize these NEMA 4X enclosures where the event of accidental splashes is possible. Accidental chemical splashes can easily damage signal control boxes or other valuable equipment during normal operations.

Locations with Harsh Weather Conditions

NEMA 4X enclosures perform well under harsh weather conditions. They are the best recommendation for outdoor areas. These units can withstand wind abrasion, dust, humidity, salty air, extreme high and low temperatures, and ice. Stainless steel is more corrosion resistant compared to regular steel. The NEMA 4X electrical enclosure is a one-stop solution for companies operating in all-weather locations. You won’t need to take extra precautions when a new season is approaching—your stainless steel electrical enclosure will serve your needs no matter the current weather conditions.

Why Order from West Tool Enclosures?

Quality and Durability

West Tool Enclosures is a local, all-American company based in Minnesota. We source for the best-quality raw materials for our stainless steel electrical enclosures. Our team of expert craftsmen has vast experience in constructing the best units. The combination of quality materials and artistry guarantees that your enclosure will be durable.

Easy Ordering Process

We have an online ordering process that you can access from the comfort of your office. This saves time and cost for our customers. All you need to do is register an account, choose the design and specification of your unit, and get your costs instantly. The design platform gives you the necessary tool to configure an electrical enclosure that will meet your needs.

Easy Installation

After construction is over, we assemble all units before shipping, ready for you to start wiring. You save time and money by being able to skip assembling before installation. Say goodbye to instruction manuals.

West Tool Enclosures has been producing quality enclosures for a long time. We are open to new challenges that may require a little creativity. Our vast experience has prepared us for the typical industrial problems with electrical enclosures. We are confident that we can offer you a solution with our stainless steel electrical enclosures. You can order specialized units for any situation at a competitive price. If you have any questions or inquiries, feel free to contact us, and we will be happy to assist you in any way.