KDM NEMA 4X Enclosure
  • Customized NEMA Enclosure Solution.
  • IP65/IP66 Certification, Weatherproof Enclosure
  • Stainless Steel and Carbon Steel Enclosure for Your Choice

Custom NEMA 4X Enclosure Manufacturer in China

KDM flexible engineering and manufacturing systems allow you to customize enclosures to save our customers valuable time and money in the process to populate the enclosure and install it. At KDM, we have a strict quality management system to control every cabinet quality that’s why we can offer NEMA type 4X electrical enclosures which meet our customer’s satisfaction.

KDM NEMA 4X enclosures are commonly used in extreme and harsh environments where corrosive materials and caustic cleaners are used. NEMA 4X enclosure applied in the food industry including meat/ poultry processing facilities, where total wash down with disinfectants occur repeatedly and petro-chemical facilities, including offshore petroleum sites.

Send your Inquiry on KDM NEMA 4X Enclosure

NEMA 3R Enclosure
NEMA 3R Enclosure

At KDM, we have a lot of features you can add to the enclosure such as footings, air condition, sun shields, windows, and many more. Enclosure accessories including internal aluminum mounting panels, PCB spacer kits, external mounting feet, and PCB mounting screws can also be customized.KDM produce a large variety of NEMA 4X enclosure and that is available in a number of styles and sizes vary upon the demand for your applications. With this, you can easily find the ideal NEMA 4X enclosures without compromising its quality.

Electrical Enclosure laser-cutting
Electrical Enclosure Laser Cutting

4000W high performance laser cutting machine, +/- 0.05mm accuracy. No burr, no scratching.

Electrical Enclosure Welding
Electrical Enclosure Welding

Multi-Functioning flexible welding equipment, high accuracy, no deformation.

Electrical Enclosure Bending
Electrical Enclosure Bending

+/- 0.5mm bending precision, smooth surface without bending marks.

Electrical Enclosure Polishing
Electrical Enclosure Polishing

10+ welding experience workers, perfect overall appearance.

Electrical Enclosure Foaming
Electrical Enclosure Foaming

High speed and accuracy foaming machines, fast and qualified Gasket

electrical enclosure assembly
Electrical Enclosure Assembly

Expert assembling team, consistent assembly quality on every KDM enclosure

KDM NEMA 4X Enclosure

metal NEMA 4X enclosure

Metal NEMA 4X enclosure

KDM NEMA 4X enclosure just like other enclosures, it has a very little difference, as it can be used both in indoors or in outdoor environments. If provide enough protection to the people from accessing the component as it poses hazardous effect into them. The electrical component is also protected from damage by the adverse environmental conditions such as ingress of solid objects, dust, water, and snow.
NEMA 4X Enclosure manufacturing

NEMA 4X enclosure from KDM has strong ability to provide protection to internal components against hose-directed water. This also provides an additional level of protection of other forms of corrosion that would pose a great threat to the equipment. And that will be undamaged by the external formation of ice on the enclosure.

KDM offer several types of NEMA 4X enclosure, including wall mount enclosure, floor mount enclosure, free standing enclosure, enclosure with viewing window, double door stainless steel enclosure, free standing industrial enclosure with file pocket, free standing modular enclosure with window, free standing enclosure with locks and latches, lockable enclosure with polycarbonate window and more.
NEMA 4X Enclosure detail

The entire range of above-mentioned NEMA 4X products is developed using the latest technology that ensures optimum reliability. Our NEMA 4X enclosure is generally manufactured using metal and non-metallic materials, depending on the requirements of your application, you had the choice to make on the kind of material required. For the options, including pre-punched holes, insulation retainers, welded couplings and view windows, KDM will handle your orders.NEMA 4X Enclosure manufacturing 2

KDM, as the premier manufacturer of NEMA enclosure in China, we have been a leading provider of NEMA 4X enclosures for decades. We are capable of meeting the demands of our clients as per their choice, preference, and requirements. Let us be your enclosure solution so that you will save labor, cut material costs and at the same time, increase productivity. We have 24-hour customer service, so feel free to contact us anytime!
NEMA 4X Enclosure

The Definitive FAQ Guide to NEMA 4X Enclosures

What does NEMA Type 4X mean?

Type 4 enclosures protect personnel from accidental contact with live parts, as well as protect the equipment from windblown dust, rain, snow, ice, hose-directed water, and corrosion.

NEMA Type 4X enclosures have more PU gaskets, more welded parts, and more resistant materials, making them suitable for most harsh environments.

Typical NEMA 4X box

Typical NEMA 4X box

How is NEMA 4X different from NEMA 4?

NEMA 4X is the same as NEMA 4, except it offers extra protection against corrosive agents, such as alkaloids, acids, and highly polar solvents like acetone and MEK.

Usually, this is due to the materials used.

Are NEMA 4X enclosures used outdoors?

NEMA 4X enclosures are very often used outdoors, as well as indoors in industrial places.

Because of the type’s protection against water and corrosion, it is perfectly suitable for the outside.

What is the standard NEMA 4X enclosure configuration?

The standard configuration we provide is a gland plate with modules for cable entry, ground connections, fluorescent lamps with a switch, a radiating fan, PU gaskets.

NEMA 4X enclosures should also be marked if they require waterproof fittings, conduit connections, and mounting hubs.

You can also request any other feature you need.

What are the common applications for NEMA 4X enclosures?

NEMA 4X enclosures are used mainly for industrial applications. 

These include electrical hydraulic or pneumatic control box, terminal or junction wiring enclosures, operator interfaces, and consoles with corrosion-resistant properties.

NEMA 4X

NEMA 4X
Because of this type’s resistance to water, these enclosures are often found in marine or naval applications, transportation industries, and various municipalities like water treatment plants.

Furthermore, irrigation systems and process industries heavily rely on 4X enclosures.

Why?

Well, such industries work with various chemicals like fertilizers, minerals, petroleum, alkalines, etc.

Also, food processing factories, pharmaceutical factories, and even research institutions need corrosion-resistant enclosures to withstand frequent sanitization and leakage of chemicals.

For more information, check out our general NEMA enclosure FAQ!

How are NEMA 4X enclosures tested?

You can refer to the latest NEMA 250 document for requirements of self-declaration of NEMA labels.

NEMA 4X is tested using the external icing test, the hose down test, the outdoor corrosion test, the gasket test, and an additional 4X corrosion test.

External icing test involves spraying the enclosure with water and then cooling down the room until 20mm of ice has formed over the enclosure.

External icing test

 External icing test
The enclosure should be undamaged and operable at the end of the test.

Outdoor corrosion test involves making a 5% sodium chloride solution and spraying it onto the enclosure continuously for 200 hours (8.3 days).

The hose down test sprays water at a rate of 246 liters per minute for as long as it takes to test all weak points like seams, joints, fittings, and other such places.

Hosedown test

 Hosedown test
NEMA 4X enclosures also undergo various gasket tests to evaluate how they age while stretched at high temperatures.

As long as there are no cracks, deformations, and the tensile strength remains the same, the enclosure passes this test.

It is needed because good gaskets are key to good protection against water ingress.

Why does the 4X corrosion test require only 200 hours of testing instead of 600?

This is because the 4X corrosion test requires the enclosure to be compared with 304 steel, instead of galvanized steel, as is the case with outdoor corrosion test.

In other words, a different comparison standard calls for a different test duration.

Corrosion test

  Corrosion test

How can I be sure of the quality of NEMA 4X enclosures?

At KDM, we have the ISO9001 certification that you can look through.

Also, you can do independent third-party testing of the enclosures if you want confirmation of quality and conformity assessment.

What is NEMA 4X in IP standards?

Although it is difficult to translate one set of standards into another, NEMA Type 4X is similar to IP55 and IP66.

NEMA and IP

  NEMA and IP 

Do knockouts, vents, fittings, etc. affect the rating of the enclosure?

Individual fittings, vents, knockouts, etc —ideally —should have a better NEMA rating than the enclosure itself.

However, this may not be possible, so these features should have the same rating as the overall structure.

If they have a lower rating, the rating of the entire enclosure goes down.

The most vulnerable place in an enclosure is between its body and its lid – here is where dust, moisture, and corrosion can creep in.

However, KDM designs sealing gaskets that are either moulded or screwed in place flush against the surface.

PU sealing gaskets

PU sealing gaskets

What are common designs for NEMA 4X enclosures?

Some common designs for NEMA 4X enclosures include free-standing, floor-mounted, wall-mounted, and custom.

Free-standing, floor-mounted, and walk-in enclosures are all used for bigger equipment.

They can have one or multiple doors, depending on your requirements.

Such enclosures can also have pedestals, casters, leveling feet, and lifting eyes to help install and move them around.

Free-standing enclosure

Free-standing enclosure
Wall-mounted and pole-mounted NEMA 4X enclosures are typically small and house fuses and switches.

These are less mobile, but take up less space as well.

They are installed using special brackets that can be just external or have internal elements too.

Wall-mounted enclosure

Wall-mounted enclosure
Custom enclosures can be of any size, dimension; they can have any combination of features, such as doors, hinges, ventes, windows, and much more.

Custom 4X enclosure

Custom 4X enclosure
Overall, higher NEMA ratings benefit from U-shaped designs since those require less seam welding, which is great for corrosion protection.

U-shaped enclosure

U-shaped enclosure (top part)

What additional features are often included?

You can request vents, windows, hinged doors, locks, cable management systems, and much more.

Vents, as well as radiating fans, provide a path for heat to escape through.

They cool down the electrical components of the enclosure.

Vents provide a more passive flow of air, whereas fans actively move air and are used to cool down equipment that heats up quickly.

This prolongs the life of the equipment and decreases the possibility of malfunctions and electrical fires like arc flash.

If you want to include a drainage opening, there should also be a removable plug.

Vented enclosure

Vented enclosure
These also stabilize air pressure inside the enclosure, preventing condensation which can damage the electrical components of the enclosure.

Windows help personnel examine the electrical components in a quick and non-invasive way.

And if something does go wrong, a window helps to see what is happening right away.

Usually, windows are made from polycarbonate.

Enclosure with a window

Enclosure with a window 
Hinged doors control how and how much the door or cover of the enclosure opens.

You can also choose from a variety of handles for your hinged doors.

Some of the hinges we offer include continuous, offset, flag, spring-loaded, and more.

Locks, latches, and clamps add a layer of security to your NEMA 4X enclosure.

They make sure no one tampers with it or accidentally accesses its electrical components.

Cable management systems may involve hooks, racks, and other organizing features.

We also offer secondary features like file pockets, drip caps, switches, lights, and anything else you request.

File pocket

  File pocket
File pockets store operating manuals; drip caps protect the enclosure from splashing water; solar shields protect against UV rays; switches and lights help operate the equipment inside the enclosure.

How do NEMA 4X enclosures maintain temperature?

Generally, enclosures can have air conditioners, coolers, heat exchangers, and heater strips to control the temperature inside the enclosure.

This prevents the equipment from overheating or freezing.

If your enclosures are for cold environments, then heat exchangers and heater strips may be necessary.

Heat exchangers are closed loop systems that are easy to maintain.

As equipment works, it may heat the air around it, and heat exchangers push hot air into colder compartments, which results in an equalized temperature and pressure.

Heat exchanger

Heat exchanger
Heater strips use electricity to heat up the air inside the enclosure to protect its contents from low temperatures, condensation, and subsequent corrosion on the inside.

Heater Strip

Heater strip
Enclosure heaters range in performance from 50 to 1200 Watts, depending on the size of your enclosure.

Air conditioners and various air coolers are vital for enclosures situated in warm environments.

Equipment needs to be cooled down to prolong its life.

What materials are used for NEMA 4X enclosures?

They can be made from galvanized steel, and stainless steel – usually of the grades 304, 316, or 316L.

We do offer carbon steel, but it is not the best for 4X enclosures since this steel is more vulnerable to corrosion.

Stainless steel, on the other hand, is perfect for NEMA 4X.

It is created by adding chromium, nickel, and molybdenum to the iron-carbon alloy.

Stainless steel vs. galvanized steel

 Stainless steel vs. galvanized steel
Steel grades 304 and 316 differ in the content of all additives.

316 stainless steel provides the best protection against salt spray, certain acids, and high temperatures.

This is why 316 is used more for marine applications.

Meanwhile, 304 resists sulfates and chlorine more.

Galvanized steel is coated with a protective layer of zinc that prevents corrosion.

This type of steel is more expensive and heavier than stainless steel.

When using steel, the manufacturer should keep in mind a certain gauge, or thickness, of the sheet metal that is necessary to comply with NEMA standards.

NEMA 4X enclosures use 16 or 14 gauge steel, which is about 1.6-2 mm.

Fiberglass is very strong, can dissipate heat, and insulates electricity, lowering the effect of interference and the possibility of shock.

It is made from glass fibers placed in plastic.

Fiberglass

 Fiberglass 
Enclosures can also be made from aluminum alloys.

They are not necessarily better than steel alloys, but can be depending on what you are going for and what are your needs.

Just like steel grades, aluminum alloys can be either of the 5052 or the 6061 series.

Aluminum vs stainless steel

Aluminum vs stainless steel
Both are lightweight, but 5052 is more weldable, whereas 6061 has a higher resistance to corrosion.

Also, 6061 is more expensive.

Aluminum has a layer of oxide on top that prevents any corrosion.

For NEMA Type 4X enclosures, stainless steel grade 304, polymers like fiberglass, and aluminum 6061 are most recommended.

If you would like to learn more, send in your inquiry now for a consultation!

What paints and coatings can be used for NEMA 4X enclosures?

Our enclosures are well-protected, but the right coating can add its protection as well.

Alodine coating, also known as the chromate conversion coating, is used to prime steel and aluminum for paint, as well as prevent corrosion.

Alodine coating

Alodine coating
This is a cheaper process than anodizing, and can be recognized by its characteristic greenish-yellow hue unless it is painted over.

You can choose enamel or powder paint coats in any color.

Powder paint is deposited with the electrostatic force and is quicker and easier than enamel.

It is also more flexible in appearance, giving you the option of glossy and matte finishes.

Powder coating finishes

Powder coating finishes
Enamel paint has a glossy finish and is weather-resistant.

Anodizing coating uses anodes to oxidize a metal, usually aluminum, to increase its thickness for better corrosion resistance.

Anodizing a 4X aluminum enclosure can definitely be a plus.

Steel is not typically anodized because it can actually speed up its corrosion.

There can also be anti-graffiti and anti-poster coatings to protect your enclosure from vandalism if you plan to install it outdoors.

NEMA 4X enclosures most often use powder coating, but epoxy enamel and PU enamel are also great for industrial enclosures.

We can provide any coating in any color and finish, so contact us today!

How can symbols be put on a NEMA Type 4X enclosure?

You can customize your enclosure with our engraving and silk-screening services.

Silk Screening is the easiest and most affordable method.

Any flat side of the enclosure can be silk-screened with labels, warnings, serial number, your company name, logo, and anything else.

Although, beware!— silk-screening on stainless steel or aluminum can be worn or scratched off.

However, a clear powder coat can help prevent that.

Silk screening

  Silk-screening
Engraving the enclosure is your second choice of customizing your enclosures.

This option is more costly and takes more time, but it is also more long-term than silk-screening.

Usually, about 0.005 inches or 0.010 inches of metal is removed from the surface.

Once the metal has been removed, it is filled in with epoxy paint of any color to match your requirements.

Engraving

Engraving
Besides symbols, there should be other markings.

If the equipment has to be installed in a particular orientation, this has to be marked on the enclosure.

Also, areas where live parts will also have to have a mark.

Any warning or danger signs should also be engraved or silk-screened onto the enclosure as well.

What else should I be aware of when ordering an enclosure?

There are some common mistakes that people make.

These include choosing the wrong NEMA type, wrong material, wrong size, wrong design, and disregarding features.

NEMA 4X is built for non-hazardous, indoor and outdoor locations with normal air pressure, rain or dripping water, some dust, snow, sleet, and ice.

NEMA 4X usually uses stainless steel 304 or aluminum to increase resistance to corrosion.

The size and the design of the enclosure depending on the specific electrical equipment you plan to house there.

However, NEMA 4X enclosures are usually medium-sized or big.

Another note is that if you are choosing stainless steel, be prepared that it is not stain-free.

Sometimes, corrosion does show in the form of mild staining, but it is easy to get rid of with just water.

As for the design and features, these are case-specific, so consult your manufacturer for advice.

What is NEMA 4X Enclosure?

NEMA 4X enclosures offer exceptional protection for electrical and electronic products in hostile indoor and outdoor situations.

A NEMA 4X enclosures are one of the most popular and adaptable varieties of NEMA enclosures.

Such extremely adjustable enclosures are made to keep equipment safe from harsh weather circumstances such as rain, snow, dirt, corrosion, ice formation, etc.

Figure-1 NEMA 4X Enclosure

Figure-1 NEMA 4X Enclosure

In What Materials is NEMA 4X Enclosure Made OF?

When it comes to materials of the NEMA 4x enclosure, there are several alternatives. 

Stainless steel, aluminum, and polycarbonate are among the highly corrosive materials used in NEMA 4X enclosures, but they are also in plastic.

  • Stainless steel.

NEMA 4x enclosure stainless steel is corrosion-resistant and fire-resistant, making it ideal for most environments.

  • Polycarbonate.

Steel is a durable and expensive substance that may be used in a spectrum of uses.

  • Aluminum.

NEMA 4x enclosure aluminum is a rigid metal that can tolerate extreme temperatures.

What’s the Difference Between a NEMA 4 and a NEMA 4X Enclosure?

  • NEMA 4X Enclosure

NEMA 4X enclosure offers corrosion resistance. 

The range of NEMA 4X enclosures is extensive, ranging from those where the enclosure is used to those where it is not.

  • NEMA 4 Enclosure

A NEMA 4 is the lowest-rated dustproof NEMA enclosure and provides an extra layer of protection.

The NEMA 4 enclosure is popular because it protects against the elements, such as cold weather and ice on the outside.

What are the Advantages of NEMA 4X Enclosure?

The NEMA 4X enclosure is a type of enclosure that complies with the following advantages:

  • May use it both indoors and outdoors.
  • Corrosion resistance.
  • A gasket is included to defend against liquid and solid infiltration.
  • It gives an extra layer of corrosion resistance
  • Offer a level of protection against water infiltration
  • A 4X enclosure’s material is more resistant to corrosion of all types
  • It can shield the equipment from hose-directed water and splashes.
  • Temperatures vary from -40 to 266 degrees
  • Made of a durable fiberglass-reinforced polyester material that has been molded.

Figure-2 NEMA 4X Enclosure

Figure-2 NEMA 4X Enclosure

What are Custom NEMA 4X Enclosure Accessories?

You’ll also need to know the enclosure material to employ for your particular application.

For indoor or outdoor usage, These enclosures are suitable for both hot and low-temperature conditions.

At below, there are some custom NEMA 4X enclosure accessories.

  • Thermostats
  • Heaters
  • NEMA 4X rated air conditioners
  • Blocks of fuses
  • Panels of electricity
  • Lights
  • Switches
  • Windows with a view
  • Casters
  • Balancing the feet
  • Wash-down fan assemblies in NEMA 4/4X are available.

Figure-3 NEMA 4X Enclosure

Figure-3 NEMA 4X Enclosure

Where Can I Use NEMA 4X Enclosure?

For equipment that is often washed with water or chemical solutions, a NEMA 4X enclosure is the best choice.

These devices are commonly found at places like vehicle washes.

Electrical equipment is protected from contamination and damage using NEMA 4X enclosures.

Send Your Inquiry Today
Upload File
Scroll to Top