NEMA stands for the National Electrical Manufacturers Association, and they created a system to rate how well enclosures (the box around electrical parts) protect against things like rain, snow, and corrosion.

So when you’re buying or replacing an automatic transfer switch (ATS), the NEMA rating tells you where it can safely be installed — indoors, outdoors, or in rough environments.

Common NEMA Enclosure Types for ATS Installations

🔹 NEMA 1 – Indoor Use Only

This is the most basic type. It protects the internal parts from dust and accidental contact but isn’t sealed tight.
Where it’s used: Indoors only, like in a garage, utility room, or electrical closet.

🔹 NEMA 3R – Basic Outdoor Protection

This type is made for outdoor use and protects against falling rain, snow, and ice buildup. It has ventilation but isn’t sealed against hose water or windblown dust.
Where it’s used: Outside homes or businesses in moderate conditions. It’s very common for residential generator ATS installations.

🔹 NEMA 4 – Sealed Against the Elements

This enclosure keeps out rain, windblown dust, and water sprayed from hoses. It also handles snow and ice without problems.
Where it’s used: Outside in harsher environments, like commercial sites where the equipment might be sprayed down or exposed to more weather.

🔹 NEMA 4X – For Coastal or Corrosive Environments

This is just like NEMA 4 but made from stainless steel or other corrosion-resistant materials. It protects against salt air, harsh chemicals, and rust.
Where it’s used: Coastal areas near the ocean or in industrial environments where corrosion is a concern.

What Should You Use?

• For most homes, a NEMA 3R enclosure is enough. It’s rated for rain and snow and works well for most weather in Oregon and Washington.
• For commercial buildings or places with pressure washing or dust, NEMA 4 might be a safer bet.
• If your home or facility is near the coast, a NEMA 4X will give you long-term protection from rust and salt exposure.

Final Tip

When you’re choosing or upgrading your ATS, don’t just think about amps and voltage — make sure you’re getting the right enclosure for your environment. It’s the difference between long-lasting protection or expensive water damage.

Need help choosing the right NEMA rating for your next generator project? Contact Power Systems Plus — we’ve been serving Oregon homes and businesses for over 27 years.

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Dear Customers,

This letter is to announce a price increase in our service rates.  We strive to work as efficiently as possible and to keep our overhead costs low.  In spite of these efforts our costs continue to rise. Labor, health insurance, auto insurance, property insurance, and state taxes have all increased year after year despite our low incident levels.  The rates are outlined on our website in each area of service.  If you had a contract with us we will of course honor the prices that were agreed upon. Please feel free to contact us with any questions or provide us with any feedback you have.

One of the major factors was the recent adoption of a new State of Oregon tax signed into law by Kate Brown and the Oregon legislature.  This tax is a type of sales tax. The funds are supposed to go to education. While we are supporters for spending tax dollars on education we are not a supporters of the way this particular tax was enacted or the ramifications of it.  This is a tax on Gross sales, for anything sold in Oregon. There are several issues with this type of tax. First it is a sales tax, and the people of the state of Oregon have voted “no” on a sales tax at least 9 times. Second it is a tax on the businesses gross sales.  So lower margin businesses with high cash flow are paying a higher portion of their profits to this tax. For example if we sell a generator to our customer for $300,000, typically the cost of that generator could be about $280,000. So our net profit is $20,000, but we will pay the taxes on $300,000 of income. Third is this tax pyramids.  Meaning that each time the same goods change hands the tax will be charged. For example, if a company makes a part in Oregon and sells it to a wholesaler in Oregon – there is a tax on that, if that part then gets sold to a retailer in Oregon – there is a tax on that, if the retailer sells it to the end customer in Oregon –there is a tax on that. Essentially the same item has been taxed 3 times.  This can have a significant effect of pricing and how companies have to price their end products to the consumer in order to cover the overhead of this tax.

Thank you,

Hope Kramer Chief Financial Officer Power Systems Plus, Inc.

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