What is a NEMA 4/4X TV Enclosure?
A NEMA 4/4X TV enclosure is used for either indoor or outdoor use and provides protection for a TV against hazardous parts, against water (rain, sleet, snow, splashing water, hose-directed water, and formation of ice), and entry of solid foreign objects (falling dirt, windblown dust, etc.). A NEMA 4X TV enclosure provides the added characteristic of corrosion resistance. NEMA 4/4X TV enclosures must ensure resistance to dust, water, and tampering, rendering them well- suited for both indoor and outdoor use. These enclosures are designed to be washdown ready, protecting the TV’s that they house from water, including hose-directed water.
NEMA 4/4X TV Enclosure Specifications
For a TV enclosure to be rated NEMA 4/4X, it must satisfy the above definitions. In the following, we go discuss each part of the NEMA definition to more fully understand the requirements a TV enclosure must to meet to be NEMA 4 and NEMA 4X. 1. Enclosures constructed for either indoor or outdoor use to provide a degree of protection for personnel against access to hazardous parts: a. The TV enclosure should be designed with materials and construction that prevent easy access to internal components. b. All openings, joints, and seams must be sealed tightly to avoid any exposure of hazardous parts to users. c. The enclosure should comply with safety standards to ensure it provides adequate protection for personnel indoors and outdoors. 2. To provide a degree of protection of the equipment inside the enclosures against ingress of solid foreign objects (falling dirt and windblown dust): a. The TV enclosure should have a solid and durable construction that prevents the entry of dirt, dust, and other solid foreign objects. b. Seals and gaskets should be used to seal any potential entry points from dust or dirt. c. The design should account for the potential impact of windblown dust and falling dirt, ensuring the internal equipment remains protected. 3. To provide a degree of protection from harmful effects on the equipment due to the ingress of water (rain, sleet, snow, splashing water, and hose-directed water): a. The TV enclosure must be sealed to protect against rain, sleet, and snow. b. It should be able to withstand splashing water from nearby water sources. c. The design should account for the potential use of hose-directed water, making the enclosure resistant to hose-directed water. 4. That will be undamaged by the external formation of ice on the enclosure: a. The materials used in the TV enclosure should be able to withstand the formation of ice without suffering damage. b. The design should prevent ice buildup from causing any structural or functional damage to the enclosure or its internal components. c. Considerations should be given to the temperature extremes in the intended environment to ensure that the enclosure remains functional in cold conditions. 5. *For NEMA 4X* – Provides an increased level of protection against corrosion. a. The materials and construction should provide an increased level of protection against corrosion, safeguarding the enclosure and internal components from corrosive elements in the environment. This involves the use of corrosion-resistant materials and/or coatings.
NEMA 4/4X and IP 65/66 Equivalence
In addition to NEMA ratings, another commonly used classification system for enclosures is the IP (Ingress Protection) rating. The IP rating system is an international standard defined by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC). It provides a standardized method of specifying the degree of protection provided by enclosures against intrusion from foreign objects and moisture. NEMA 4/4X is equivalent to IP 65/66, offering protection against dust, corrosion, and hose-directed water. By meeting these criteria, a TV enclosure can be considered NEMA 4/4X and IP 65/66 compliant, providing protection against access to hazardous parts, ingress of solid foreign objects, exposure to water, and resistance to the external formation of ice.
