What is the NEMA 4X standard? Is it really corrosion resistant?

NGÀY ĐĂNG 18/09/2025

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Are you looking for a camera solution that can withstand harsh environments such as seaports, chemical plants or coastal industrial zones? Conventional cameras can be quickly damaged by salt spray, fine dust or high-pressure water jets. That is why the i-PRO camera line that meets the NEMA 4X standard is becoming the top choice for projects that require durability and high performance. So what is the NEMA 4X standard? And which are the outstanding i-PRO models that meet this standard? Let's find out with KPS in the article below!

Introduction to the NEMA 4X standard

What is the NEMA 4X standard?

NEMA 4X is a technical standard issued by the National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA). This standard specifies the level of protection of electrical and electronic enclosures in harsh environmental conditions such as:

• Completely protected against dust ingress
• Protective against strong jets of water from all directions
• Protective against rain, snow, splashes
• Protective against corrosion (different from regular NEMA 4)

Comparison of NEMA and NEMA 4X Standards

NEMA 4 is a standard that protects equipment from:

• Dust, debris
• Strong jets of water from all directions
• Rain, snow, ice
• External impacts

NEMA 4X inherits all the features of NEMA 4, but adds corrosion resistance - very important in environments:

• Presence of sea salt
• Presence of corrosive chemicals
• Presence of continuous high humidity

Here is a detailed comparison table:

Why should you care about NEMA 4X?

Protecting equipment in harsh environments

NEMA 4X is a high-end protection standard for equipment operating outdoors or in environments with high risk of corrosion such as:

• Seaports, coastal areas: places with salt vapor, high humidity
• Chemical and food factories: places with acids, corrosive chemicals
• Outdoor industrial areas: places in direct contact with rain, wind, dust.

Prolong life and reduce maintenance costs

• Equipment meeting NEMA 4X standards is more resistant to water, dust, and chemical corrosion than conventional types.
• Reduce damage, reduce repair costs, and do not need to be replaced continuously.
• Suitable for security camera systems, electrical cabinets, outdoor automation equipment.

NEMA 4X standard cameras can operate stably for many years, even when installed near the sea or in factories with chemicals.

Internationally recognized technical standards

NEMA 4X is a standard issued by the United States and widely used around the world.

An important basis for testing and evaluating industrial equipment, helping businesses:

• Comply with technical requirements
• Meet international safety standards
• Increase prestige when bidding for large projects

Improve system reliability

With outdoor surveillance cameras, smart control devices, sensors... if they do not meet NEMA 4X, the system is very susceptible to interruption when the weather changes.

NEMA 4X helps ensure:

• Continuous operation
• Stable signal
• No interruption in rain, wind, sea salt...
• Compare NEMA 4X with other standards (IP66, IP67, IK10)

Compare NEMA 4X with IP66, IP67, IK10

Below is a comparison table of NEMA 4X with other popular standards such as IP66, IP67 and IK10 to help you easily understand the differences and choose the right standard for your equipment in harsh environments.

Standard Dustproof Waterproof Corrosion-resistant Physical impact-resistant Common applications

• NEMA 4X Full High-power water jet from all directions Salt, chemical resistant Not specified Outdoor, coastal, chemical equipment
• IP66 Full High-power water jet from all directions Not specified Not specified Basic waterproof camera, enclosure
• IP67 Full 1m deep water immersion for 30 minutes Not specified Not specified Waterproof camera, electronic equipment
• IK10 Not specified Not specified Not specified Highest - high impact resistance Vandal-proof camera, public equipment enclosure

Should I choose NEMA 4X or IP66?

Both NEMA 4X and IP66 standards provide protection against dust and water, however, they differ significantly in their corrosion resistance and suitability for harsh environments.

IP66 is an international standard (IEC), ensuring that the device is completely dustproof and can withstand strong water jets from all directions. This is a popular choice for general outdoor installations – such as patios, porches, or sheds. However, IP66 does not require chemical or salt water resistance, making it unsuitable for special environments such as ports, chemical plants, or coastal areas.

In contrast, NEMA 4X – a US standard – also provides similar dust and water resistance, but with the added advantage of corrosion resistance. As a result, NEMA 4X-certified equipment can operate reliably and durably in environments with salt spray, corrosive chemicals, and high humidity. This is an ideal choice for outdoor monitoring projects in harsh areas, especially in heavy industry, chemicals, or coastal areas.

In short, if you are installing equipment in a normal, non-corrosive environment, IP66 is a reasonable and economical choice. But if you need higher durability, stable operation in environments with sea salt, chemicals, or long-term high humidity, NEMA 4X is the standard that should be prioritized. Choosing the right standard not only helps the device operate more stably, but also saves maintenance and replacement costs in the long term.

Application of NEMA 4X in practice

Outdoor surveillance cameras in harsh environments

• Application: Install cameras at seaports, coastal areas, factories near the sea, water treatment stations.
• Benefits: Protect cameras from salt spray, rain, high humidity and metal corrosion.
• Typical equipment: i-PRO camera (Panasonic), camera with anti-corrosion housing meeting NEMA 4X.

Electrical cabinets & industrial control equipment

• Application: In food factories, chemical plants, packaging lines, steam or chemical sterilization environments.
• Benefits: Corrosion-resistant enclosure protects control systems from electrical leakage or explosion.

Outdoor technical stations & traffic light poles

• Applications: Street light control devices, traffic sensors, electronic signs.
• Benefits: Dustproof, rainproof, water-proof and weatherproof – ensuring stable system operation.

Equipment in resorts, coastal resorts

• Applications: Security cameras, public address systems, smart doorbells, outdoor electrical boxes.
• Benefits: Anti-rust due to salt vapor – ensuring aesthetics and durability for high-end projects.

Electrical systems in clean rooms and hospitals

• Applications: Equipment must be antibacterial or resistant to disinfectant solutions (operating rooms, labs, vaccine areas).
• Benefits: Anti-corrosion from chemical solutions, hygienic and easy to clean.

Food & beverage processing plants

• Applications: Equipment installed near washing areas, processing areas, packaging areas with high humidity.
• Benefits: NEMA 4X helps the device not to rust, stable operation in HACCP, GMP environment.

i-PRO camera meets NEMA 4X standard

PTZ / Aero PTZ

• WV‑SUD638 – Aero PTZ 30× zoom, IP66/IP67, NEMA4X, IK10, withstands wind up to 60m/s.
• WV‑SW598A & WV‑SW397B – Outdoor PTZ, IP66, NEMA4X, IK10.

Outdoor Fixed Dome Cameras

• WV‑U2540LA, WV‑S4550LM (5MP) – Outdoor fisheye dome, IP66, NEMA4X, IK1 certified

Multi‑sensor Cameras

• WV‑S8544LG, WV‑S8564LG, WV‑S8530N – IP66, NEMA4X, IK10 certified

Mini dome/ Mobile/ Rail

• WV‑SFV481, WV‑SFV130 - Compact dome, IP66, NEMA4X, IK10 certified.
• WV‑X35302‑F2LM - Vehicle dome, IP66, NEMA4X, IK10 certified, 40m/s wind resistant.
• WV‑SBV131M, WV‑SBV111M - Mobile camera, IP66, NEMA4X, IP6K9K, IK10

PTZ / Aero PTZ models

• WV‑SUD638 – Aero PTZ 30× zoom, IP66/IP67, NEMA4X, IK10, wind resistance up to 60m/s.
• WV‑SW598A – HD PTZ 30× zoom, IP66, NEMA4X, IK10.

Fixed outdoor dome

• WV‑S4550LM (5MP 360°) – Panoramic dome, IP66, NEMA4X, IK10l