Summary of NEMA 250, 1997

NEMA Standards

NEMA Ratings and Protection

1 2 3 3 3 4 4 5 6 6 12 12 13
R S X P K
Incidental contact with equipment X X X X X X X X X X
Falling Dirt X X X X X X X X X X
Dripping X X X X X X X X X
Circulating dust, lint, fibers and flyings X X X X X X X
Settling airborne dust, lint, fibers & flyings X X X X X X X X
Hosedown and splashing water X X X X
Oil and coolant seepage X X X
Oil or coolant spraying and splashing X
Corrosive Agents X X
Occasional temporary submersion X X
Occasional prolonged submersion X

Supplemental markings:
1 2 3 3 3 4 4 5 6 6 12 12 13
R S X P K
Raintight X X X X X X
Rainproof X
Watertight X X X X
Corrosion Resistant X X
Driptight X X X X X
Dusttight X X X X X X

Applicable Design Tests:

1 2 3 3 3 4 4 5 6 6 12 12 13
R S X P K
Rod Entry X X X
Drip X
Rain X
Outdoor Dust X X
Settling Dust X
Circulating Dust X X
External Icing X X X X X X X
Hosedown X X X X
Indoor Corrosion X X X X X X
Outdoor Corrosion X X X X X X X
Type 4X Corrosion Protection X X
Submersion X
Pressure X
Oil Exclusion X
Gasket X X X X X X X X X X X X

Rod Entry Test:

Test rod diameter Moving parts within 4” (100 mm) No moving parts within 4” (100 mm)
Non Ventilated Device 1/8” (3.2 mm) ½” (12.7 mm)
Ventilated Device ½” (12.7 mm) ¾” (19 mm)

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For reference purposes only. Use latest version of NEMA 250 for actual testing requirements
 Summary of NEMA 250, 1997

Drip Test:
Method:
Device is mounted below drip fixture that extends beyond all sides of the device. Water drips at
the rate of 20 drips per minute with at least one drip every 20in2 (0.013 m2)of device. Device is
exposed for 30 minutes.

Or exposed to a water spray at a rate of 1”/hr (25 mm/hr) for 1 hour at any angle up to 15° from
vertical.

Evaluation:
Device passes if there is no significant accumulation of water and no water has entered the device
at a level higher than the lowest live part.

Rain Test:
Any device meeting the rain test also meets the drip test.
Method:
3 Spray heads at 5 PSI (2.75 bar) each are position to shower on areas of the device that are most
likely to leak. Spray is applied for 1 hour. Shower head and setup are per UL 50.

Evaluation:
Device passes if there is no significant accumulation of water and no water has entered the device
at a level higher than the lowest live part.

Outdoor Dust:
Any device meeting the outdoor dust test also meets the circulating dust test, settling dust test, rod entry
test, drip test and rain test.
Method:
A sand blast gun with a 3/16” (4.76 mm) diameter air jet and a 3/8” (9.53 mm) nozzle is used to
blow dry, type 1 general-purpose Portland cement at a pressure of 100psi (6.9 bar) and delivery
rate of 5 lb/min (2.27 kg/min). The nozzle is 12 in. (300 mm) to 15 in. (350 mm) away from the
device and directed at seams, joints etc… Total amount of concrete sprayed is 4 lb/ft (6kg/m) of
test length (device height + width + depth).

Or

Water from a 1 inch (25.4 mm) hose at 45 gal/min (94 l/min) directed from10 to 12 feet (3 to 3.6
m) away moving at ¼”/sec (6 mm/sec) over all joints & seals.

In both cases, the device is allowed to have a conduit to equalize pressure!

Evaluation:
Device passes if there is no dust or water in the device.

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For reference purposes only. Use latest version of NEMA 250 for actual testing requirements
 Summary of NEMA 250, 1997

Circulating Dust:
Any device meeting the circulating dust test also meets the settling dust, rod entry and drip test.

Method:
Device is placed in an enclosure at least 50% larger than itself. 3.3 lb (1.5 kg) of Type 1 Portland
Cement is introduced. A blower suction unit with an air velocity at the blower outlet of 1000
ft/min (305 m/min) is turned on for 5 minutes.
-Or-
Water from a nozzle producing a round, 3 to 4” (75 to 100mm) spray pattern, 12” (300 mm) away
from the device at 30 psi ( 2.07 bar) and 3 gal/hr (95 l/hr) is sprayed at all joints & seals on the
device at a linear rate of ¼”/sec (6 mm/sec). The device is allowed to have a conduit to equalize
pressure!

Evaluation:
Device passes if there is no dust or water in the device.

Settling Dust:
Any device meeting the circulating dust test also meets the rod entry and drip test.

Method:
Device is placed in an enclosure with at least .85 oz (24g) of Type 1 Portland cement per cubic
foot of test chamber. A blower suction unit with an air velocity at the blower outlet of 1000 ft/min
(305 m/min) is cycled on for 15 seconds, then off for 30 seconds. Cycle is repeated 7 times.
-Or-
Water from a nozzle producing a round, 3” to 4” (75 mm to 100 mm) spray pattern, 12” (300 mm)
away from the device at 25 psi (1.72 bar) and 3 gal/hr (95 l/hr) is sprayed at all joints & seals on
the device at a linear rate of 7/16”/sec (11 mm/sec). The device is allowed to have a conduit to
equalize pressure!

Evaluation:
Device passes if there is no dust or water in the device.

External Icing:
Device need not be tested if there are no external pockets to collect water that may freeze.

Method:
Any method to build up ¾” (19 mm) of ice on the device.

Evaluation:
If a single person can operate the device, without damaging the device it is deemed to pass. If a
mechanism is provided to break the ice, it shall be utilized in the test.

Hosedown:
Any device meeting the hosedown test also meets the outdoor dust test, circulating dust test, settling dust
test, rod entry test, drip test and rain test.

Method:
Water from a 1 in (25 mm) hose at 65 gal/min (246 l/min) directed from10 ft to 12 ft (3 m to
3.7m) away moving at ¼”/sec (6 mm/sec) over all joints & seals. The device is allowed to have a
conduit to equalize pressure!

Evaluation:
Device passes if there is no water in the device.

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For reference purposes only. Use latest version of NEMA 250 for actual testing requirements
 Summary of NEMA 250, 1997

Indoor Corrosion Protection:

Method:
5% salt solution atomized by nozzles spraying at 10-25 PSI. Device place in test chamber for 24
hours at 91°F to 97°F (33°C to 36°C).

Evaluation:
Device passes if there is no rust except at points where protection is impractical such as hinges,
shafts etc…

Outdoor Corrosion Protection:

Method:
Device placed in chamber as in the indoor corrosion test along with a sheet of G90 galvanized
sheet steel for 600 hours.

Plus 1200 Hour Moist Carbon Dioxide-Sulfur Dioxide – Air Test as per UL 1332.

Evaluation:
Device passes if there is the same or less corrosion as on the galvanized sheet.

Type 4X Corrosion Protection:

Method:
Same as above except for 200 hours and the comparison plate is AISI 304 Stainless steel.

Evaluation:
Device passes if there is the same or less corrosion as on the stainless sheet.

Submersion:
Any device meeting the submersion test also meets the rod entry test.

Method:
Submerse device 6 ft (1.8m) underwater for 30 minutes, or create the equivalent pressure
differential (2.8 psi, 0.19 bar) between the box and the water.

Evaluation:
Device passes if there is no water in the device.

Pressure:
Any device meeting the submersion test also meets the rod entry and submersion tests.

Method:
Raise pressure inside the device to 6 psi (0.41 bar) and hold for 24 hours.

Or

Submerse device 6 ft (1.8m) underwater for 24 hours, or create the equivalent pressure differential
(2.8 psi, 0.19 bar)between the box and the water.

Evaluation:
Device passes if the pressure inside the enclosure is at a minimum of 4 psi (0.28 bar) or there is no
water in the device.

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For reference purposes only. Use latest version of NEMA 250 for actual testing requirements
 Summary of NEMA 250, 1997

Oil Exclusion:
Any device meeting the submersion test also meets the rod entry, rain and dust tests.

Method:
A solution of 0.1% (by volume) wetting agent and water is sprayed from a 3/8” (9.5mm) diameter
opening at 2 gal/min (7.6 l/min) from a distance of 12” to 18” (300 mm to 450 mm) for 30
minutes. A wetting agent suggestion is Rohm & Hass’ Triton X-100 (detergent).

Evaluation:
Device passes if no liquid has entered the device.
Gasket:

Method:
Gasket samples are aged in 158°F (70°C) circulating air for 168 hours.
Gasket samples are immersed in ASTM reference oil No. 3 for 70 hours are room temperature.

Evaluation:
Gaskets pass if the aged samples have tensile strength not less than 75% and elongation not less
than 60% of non-aged samples.

Gaskets pass if they do not swell more than 25% or shrink more than 1% when subjected to the oil
test.

3/8/00, SDR Page 5 of 5

For reference purposes only. Use latest version of NEMA 250 for actual testing requirements