VFD Options

[watercrawl]

It seems the preferred option for a knife makers shop is to get a NEMA 4 enclosure on their VFD which is wash down class.

However, there is a NEMA 12 enclosure which is rated as dust proof.

At nearly half the cost, what is the advantage/disadvantage of one over the other? I can't think of why I would pay twice the cost to get wash down class, so please help me out.

 

[unky_gumbi]

My VFD is a Nema 4X, and as strange as it may seem if you look at comparison chats nema 12 looks to offer lower protection than nema 4 with 4x being the top of the 3.

NEMA 12 - Enclosures for Indoor Use
Provide protection against:

Incidental contact between personnel and electronic equipment
Falling dirt
Circulating Dust, lint fibers & flyings
Dripping & light splashing of liquids
Oil and coolant seepage



NEMA 4 - Enclosures for Indoor or Outdoor Use
Provide protection against:

Incidental contact between personnel and electronic equipment
Falling dirt
Rain, Sleet & Snow
Windblown dust
Splashing & Hose-directed water
Undamage by the external formation of ice on the enclosure



NEMA 4X - Enclosures for Indoor or Outdoor Use
Similar to NEMA 4, NEMA 4X adds protection against corrosion.

Provide protection against:

Incidental contact between personnel and electronic equipment
Falling dirt
Rain, Sleet & Snow
Windblown dust
Splashing & Hose-directed water
Undamage by the external formation of ice on the enclosure
Corrosion

 

[jmac30]

I have 20 years in the industry (machine design & fab, control systems, licensed electrician) and unless there is a specific reason you need the nema 4( it is outside or you are going to wash the drive off with a hose - don't really see that happeng) - save your money and get the nema 12 - good luck

 

[David Sharp]

I have 20 years in the industry (machine design & fab, control systems, licensed electrician) and unless there is a specific reason you need the nema 4( it is outside or you are going to wash the drive off with a hose - don't really see that happeng) - save your money and get the nema 12 - good luck

I agree; in my day job we use 4/4x because of the likely hood of pressurized water and outdoor location. Because of this the few times that things get located indoors it gets installed in 4/4x enclosures because of availability; but it is definitely overkill.

12 should be fine.

David Sharp
Sharpwerks

 

[watercrawl]

Thanks!