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Harsh environmental conditions are part of the modern manufacturing landscape, especially as the EV charging station network in North America continues to grow. The number of public EV charging stations increased by almost 5% in the first quarter of this year, and the number of private EV charging stations increased by a little more than 3%. The ability to facilitate a nationwide EV charging infrastructure relies on the durability and reliability of the industrial enclosures used in station construction. While the kind of material and design features can help identify whether an outdoor enclosure is suited for challenging or intense environments, there are a variety of certifications engineers should look for when specifying enclosures for these kinds of deployments.

The National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) ratings play a vital role in helping North American manufacturers select the right industrial enclosure for their specific production environment. Similar to IP ratings, NEMA ratings designate the level of protection industrial enclosures provide against environmental influences such as dust, dirt, water, corrosion, ice formation, and other forms of potentially hazardous ingress. NEMA 3R is a very specific type of industrial enclosure rating, one that equips the enclosure to adequately house and protect sensitive electronics in outdoor applications.