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Comparing NEMA and IP Enclosure Ratings

This comparison is only approximate, and it is the responsibility of the user to verify the enclosure rating necessary for the given application.  

IP Ratings (Ingress Protection)

Rating for Equipment and Enclosures

A three-digit number established by the International Electrotechnical Commission, is used to provide an IP Rating to a piece of electronic equipment or to an enclosure for electronic equipment. The IP code indicates the level, or amount of the protection.
The three digits represent three different forms of environmental influence:
The first digit represents protection against ingress of solid objects.
The second digit represents protection against ingress of liquids.
The third digit represents protection against mechanical impact damage.

(*The third digit is often omitted, resulting in a 2-digit IP Rating covering ingress against solid objects and liquids only).
The larger the value of each digit, the greater the protection from that influence. As an example, a product rated as IP573 would be better protected against environmental factors than another similar product that was only rated as IP432.