Submersible enclosures should not be selected based on NEMA 6P and IP68 ratings alone for prolonged exposure. While ratings typically define baseline protection, they do not account for how enclosures perform under sustained submersion, pressure variation, environmental exposure, and real installation conditions, including movement rotating equipment. Engineers specify NEMACO™ submersible enclosures because performance is verified through pressure, vacuum, and submersion testing using calibrated instrumentation, with results validated under application-specific conditions before deployment.
Key Submersible Enclosure Design Factors Analyzed by Engineering Teams
NEMACO™ designs submersible enclosures to perform in almost any weather condition and nearly every industrial environment, not just in controlled testing scenarios. Every design is developed with specific environmental exposures and engineering factors in mind to ensure reliable performance in real-world field conditions.
Environmental Conditions:
Weather Exposure
Sun, rain, flooding, ice formation, hurricanes, and tornadosAtmospheric Exposure
Ozone (O₃) and environmental factors that can degrade sealing materialsSubmersion Environments
Freshwater, saltwater, contaminated water, and chemical runoff
Engineering Design Factors:
Material Selection
304, 316, or 316L stainless steel, aluminum alloys, and UL gel-coated fiberglassMaterial Conductivity
Conductive or non-conductive materials based on application and environmentCorrosion Resistance
Protection against saltwater, acidic, and harsh environmentsCathodic Protection
Mitigation of anode-cathode reactions in specialized applicationsStructural Integrity
Designed to minimize wall deflection under submersion or vacuum conditionsSealing and Entry Points
NPT pipe, flange fittings, and cable gland design layout for proper sealing and installationDual Sealing Systems and Torque Ratings
Designed to meet NEMA 4X and NEMA 6P requirements, with controlled torque specifications to ensure proper seal compression and long-term performanceGrounding Provisions
Interior and exterior grounding studs (¼-20, 3/8-16) in accordance with UL and National Electrical Code (NEC)Thread Protection (stainless steel)
Prevention of bolt galling caused by grit or sandThread Protection and Damage Prevention (aluminum NPT)
Prevention of aluminum thread damage when installing stainless steel pipe
Get expert guidance on submersible enclosure design for real-world applications.
Submersible Enclosure Design Solutions for Engineers
NEMACO™ offers engineers technical solutions for submersible enclosures used in real-world project applications that require hands-on knowledge and years of practical experience not taught in schoolbooks.
NEMACO™ collaborates with engineering teams to solve multi-factor technical problems often overlooked by other manufacturers. Common submersible enclosure design issues that NEMACO™ solves for engineers and construction crews include:
Structural loading factors
Enclosure sides defection
Dissimilar metals and possible cathodic corrosion
Micro-leaks in cables
Ground water and watertight seal-offs with encapsulants
Leveling large submersible enclosures on concrete platforms
NEMACO™ Submersible Enclosure Standards, Testing, and Verification
NEMACO™ works directly with engineers and designers to support real-world applications. We offer advanced testing that includes fully assembled systems, including the enclosure, pipe hubs, and cable glands with installed cabling, to replicate actual field installation conditions.
That collaboration between the NEMACO™ team and customer engineering and construction crews ensures a complete, application-ready solution from design through installation.
Electrical enclosures must perform reliably in actual operating environments. We design enclosures that meet or exceed industry standards, including NEMA enclosure ratings and IP protection ratings. Many configurations are also UL Listed, depending on the enclosure design and application.
We use precision ISO 17025-calibrated instrumentation and digital gauges aligned with UL requirements for each application. Precision measurement to 0.01 psi air pressure and 0.01 inHg vacuum accuracy supports consistent, repeatable quality control.
Core Testing Methods
Pressure-based testing
Evaluates performance under sustained load and depth-related pressure conditionsVacuum-based testing
Simulates negative pressure conditions where external pressure exceeds internal pressureSubmersion-based testing
Direct validation under controlled immersion to confirm sealing integrity over time
Standard Testing Methods for NEMA 6P and IP68 Enclosures
Enclosure bolts
Torqued using calibrated and certified toolsSubmersible enclosure pre-test
For all seals, fittings and cables
2.5 to 6.5 psi, soapy water bubble test, check for air leaksPneumatic testing (NEMA 6P and IP68)
Minimum of 6 psi for 24 hours with recorded data including temperatures and psi
Advanced Testing Methods for NEMA 6P and IP68 Enclosures
Enclosure bolts
Torqued using calibrated and certified toolsAdvanced water depth testing
0.43 psi/ft with a 1.5 safety factor
Simulated depths from 15 to 150 feet based on application requirements
Recorded temperature and bolt torque confirmation for each applicationAdvanced vacuum testing
15 inHg to 29.92 inHg
Correlated water depth at 0.43 psi per foot with 1.5 safety factor
Applied to aluminum and fiberglass applications
Recorded temperature and bolt torque confirmation for each application
Testing Purpose and Process
Performance testing methods identify potential ingress points and evaluate the integrity of the enclosure before it is placed into service. This is not a single pass/fail check, but a multi-step process designed to improve quality by evaluating performance under conditions that reflect actual submersion risk.
Submersible Enclosure Performance with Full Traceability
Performance is never assumed; it is documented. Every NEMACO™ submersible enclosure is assigned a unique serial number that matches specific testing data for full lifecycle traceability from production through installation, giving field engineers access to the information they need for maintenance, repair, and long-term performance support.
Serial numbers allow every submersible enclosure to be traced back to its original design, materials, and testing history.
Quality Control: The Critical Factor is Digital Precision
Testing alone does not guarantee performance. The accuracy of that testing determines whether results can be trusted.
NEMACO™ uses ISO 17025-calibrated instrumentation, digital gauges, and controlled testing systems to ensure that measurements are precise, consistent, and repeatable across applications.
Quality control is not just about confirming performance. It is about ensuring that performance is measured correctly, validated consistently, and repeatable from one enclosure to the next.
Designed and Built for Conditions You Cannot Control
Submersible environments are defined by variables that cannot be controlled. Over time, exposure to radiant heat, ozone, weather, and age-related material changes can alter performance in ways that are not reflected in drawings or initial specifications. Water levels rise, exposure lasts longer than expected, and conditions shift.
Most enclosure manufacturers test to confirm basic compliance. NEMACO™ tests to confirm performance under real conditions.
When conditions are at their worst, enclosure performance is no longer theoretical. It must be proven to function in the environment it is installed in.
Explore SubPro™ enclosures designed for prolonged submersion.
Submersible Enclosures Engineered for Real-World Applications
NEMACO™ works with engineering teams and construction companies on submersible enclosure applications that are deployed to protect facilities across the United States and Canada, including:
Airports
International installations including LaGuardia (LGA) and John F. Kennedy (JFK)Marinas and Coastal Installations
New York, New Jersey, Delaware, North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Alabama, Louisiana, and TexasMilitary Applications
Multiple locations (not disclosed)Lift Pump Stations
Deployed across the United States and CanadaTransit Systems
Including the New York City subway systemMajor Infrastructure Projects
Including the World Trade CenterRailroad Systems
Including BNSF RailwayUniversity and Municipal Projects
Across the United States and CanadaChallenging Environmental Installations
Including deployments in the Ozark Mountains
Material Selection Based on Submersible Conditions
Material selection directly impacts long-term performance under submersion. NEMACO™ selects materials based on application requirements, including:
Stainless steel for durability in corrosive and high-exposure environments
Aluminum for strength with reduced weight
FRP (Fiberglass Reinforced Polymer) for non-conductive and corrosion-resistant applications
Protective processes and sealing systems are selected based on how the enclosure will perform under sustained exposure, not just initial installation. Material selection is not a preference. It is a performance decision that determines how the enclosure holds up over time.
With NEMACO™, performance is not assumed. It is verified before it reaches the field.
Talk to a NEMACO™ specialist about your submersible application.
Product Warranty: Designed for Long-Term Performance
NEMACO™ submersible enclosures are built for long-term reliability, with product warranties ranging from 5 to 15 years depending on enclosure type. These warranties reflect confidence in material selection, construction quality, and real-world performance, not marketing language.
Our enclosures are designed with durable materials, precise fabrication, and practical engineering decisions that support consistent performance over the full lifecycle of the installation.
The NEMACO™ product warranty provides confidence to engineering teams that their submersible enclosures will last for many years.
How We Work
At NEMACO™, every enclosure that leaves our facility is treated as a critical link in a larger system. Our team takes personal ownership of every welded structure and every seal.
Our customers rely on our enclosures to protect equipment critical to operations. We take that responsibility seriously. It guides how we design, build, evaluate, and deliver every enclosure.
Talk to a NEMACO™ specialist about your submersible application.
