Home » Guides » Cat III vs Cat IV| An Ultimate Guide to CAT Ratings 2023 [Updated]

Cat III vs Cat IV| An Ultimate Guide to CAT Ratings 2023 [Updated]

By shafiq usama

cat iii vs cat iv

As an electrical engineer, I love explaining how things like circuits and electronics work. I write on my blog to share simple explanations, reviews, and useful tips about the latest technology.

When it comes to electrical safety, Cat ratings are essential. But what do Cat III and Cat IV mean? And which one is better for your needs? In this article, we will compare Cat III vs Cat IV and explain the differences between them. But firstly one should know what is CAT rating? Cat standards apply on all kinds of  electrical equipment including household appliances, portable tools and even circuit breakers.

What is CAT?

CAT is an acronym for "Category." In the electrical testing world, CAT ratings are used to indicate the level of safety of electrical tools and appliances. The ratings are determined by the amount of protection a device provides against electric shock.

There are six different CAT ratings, with CAT I being the lowest and CAT VI being the highest. The voltage ratings will also change as per the CAT standard changes. CAT ratings also shows the maximum voltage. Read on mulitmeter with portable case.

cat-iii vs cat-iv

CAT-I:

This is the lowest rating and indicates a device that offers no protection against electric shock.

CAT-II:

What is CAT

This rating is for devices that offer limited protection against electric shock.

CAT-III: 

This rating is for devices that offer basic protection against electric shock. The regulated low voltage sources have  a CAT rating of III. The installation and use of these sources are restricted to lab electrical test and qualified persons only. Moreover, cat iii circuits powered by a cat iii source are less likely to trip than a cat iv circuit powered by the same source.

CAT-IV:

This rating is for devices that offer substantial protection against electric shock. Most of the primary overcurrent protection devices within the NEC have a CAT IV rating.

CAT-V: 

What is CAT-V

This rating is for devices that offer extra protection against electric shock.

CAT-VI:

This rating is for devices that offer the highest level of protection against electric shock.

Now let's compare Cat III and Cat IV.


Cat III vs Cat IV Comparison Guide

The main difference between Cat III and Cat IV is the level of protection they offer against electrical shocks.

What does CAT III mean?

Cat III is a lower standard than Cat IV. It is designed for household appliances and devices, while Cat IV is for industrial and commercial applications. Cat III is more common than Cat IV. And it is often used for testing electrical equipment such as power tools, laptops, and cell phones.

What does CAT IV mean?

Cat IV is a higher standard than Cat III. It offers more protection against electrical hazards and is designed for use in industrial and commercial applications. Cat IV is less common than Cat III, but it can be used for testing electrical equipment such as circuit breakers, generators, and motors.

Which CAT rating is best for you?

The best CAT rating for you will depend on your needs. If you need a rating that is more common and offers basic protection against electric shock, then Cat III is the best option. If you need a rating that offers more protection against electrical hazards and is designed for industrial and commercial applications, then Cat IV is the best option.I make the list of best budgets multimeters.

cat iii vs cat iv multimeter

CAT III Vs CAT IV rated Multimeters

Multimeters are electrical testing tools that measure voltage, current, and resistance. They come in different CAT ratings, with Cat III being the lowest and Cat IV being the highest.

What is a CAT III multimeter?

A CAT III multimeter is a type of multimeter that is designed to be used in environments where there is a risk of electric shock. CAT III multimeters are more common than CAT IV multimeters, and they offer basic protection against electric shock. However, they are not as durable  as CAT IV multimeters.

CAT III multimeters are typically used for testing electrical equipment such as power tools, laptops, and cell phones.

What is a CAT IV multimeter?

A CAT IV multimeter is a type of multimeter that is designed to be used in environments where high voltages involves. CAT IV multimeters offer more protection against electric shocks than CAT III multimeters, and they are more durable. CAT IV multimeters are typically used for testing electrical equipment such as circuit breakers, generators, and motors.


Differences between CAT III and CAT IV Multimeters

The main difference between a Cat III-rated multimeter and a Cat IV-rated multimeter is the level of protection they offer against electric shock. Cat III-rated multimeters are designed for household appliances and devices, while Cat IV-rated multimeters are designed for industrial and commercial applications.

Cat III-rated multimeters are more common than Cat IV-rated multimeters, and they offer basic protection against electric shock. Cat IV-rated multimeters offer more protection against electrical hazards and are designed for use in industrial and commercial applications.

Test leads of all analog and digital multimeters also have Cat ratings depending upon the measurement categories and  type of multimeter. Mostly these ratings revolve around III and IV cat safety standards.


Conclusion

In this article, we have compared Cat III and Cat IV and explained the differences between them. We have also looked at the difference between CAT-III and CAT-IV rated multimeters. If you are in need of an electrical testing tool that offers basic protection against electric shock then you can visit my blog of best multimeters for electricians.


FAQs- Frequently Asked Questions

Does CAT rating affect measurement accuracy?

Measurements performed by Cat-iii rated or cat iv multimeters depend upon True RMS and ghost voltages. Therefore, the CAT measurement category does not affect the accuracy.

Electrical measurement categories are  essential to know and understand when working with or around electricity.

Which CAT rating is best for local level distribution?

Most of the local level electrical distribution systems are typically designed to provide a level of protection that is less than the equipment they protect. Therefore,  the overcurrent protection devices used within these systems are typically rated CAT III or lower.

In homes the junction boxes and distribution boards are likely to have a CAT rating of II or III. While in an industrial environment, the equipment is likely to have a CAT rating of IV or higher. Furthermore, cat ii circuits ripple control units are used to control the magnitude and rate of current change in a power system.

What is the (I.V.W.L.) impulse voltage withstand level?

The impulse voltage withstand level (I.V.W.L.) is the parameter that determines a CAT rating. The I.V.W.L. is the maximum voltage that a device can withstand without being damaged.