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NEMA 3 Enclosure
At Bison Profab, we engineer and manufacture high-quality NEMA 3 electrical enclosures for power generation, telecommunications, manufacturing, construction, and many other industries. Choose from a wide range of standard weather-resistant NEMA 3 enclosure options or create a customized layout for your location and application specifications.
When To Choose a NEMA 3 Electrical Enclosure
NEMA 3 electrical enclosures are weather-resistant and provide significant protection from dirt, wind-blown dust particles, water, rain, sleet, and snow. A NEMA 3-rated enclosure also stands up to exterior ice formation.
When you need a general-purpose weather-resistant enclosure for outdoor applications, NEMA 3 solutions are ideal. Many pole-mounted and tower-mounted enclosures in cold climates are NEMA 3 enclosures. The versatile indoor-outdoor nature of NEMA 3-rated enclosures makes them perfect for large construction projects where heating and protection from the elements aren’t always available.
You can also use NEMA 3 enclosures for indoor locations where cold temperatures and accidental moisture, rain, or snow may be a problem. Examples include industrial loading docks, automotive repair garages, aircraft hangars, off-site sheds and warehouses, cold storage facilities, and unmanned industrial buildings.
The Benefits of NEMA 3 Electrical Enclosures
Weather protection is vital for outdoor electrical equipment and telecommunications equipment. High-quality NEMA 3 enclosures keep water, excess moisture, and dirt out. This helps to prevent:
- Short circuits
- Electrocution hazards to personnel
- Electrical fires from incorrect electrical flow
- Catastrophic damage to electrical or electronic systems
- System malfunctions and operational downtime
The tightly sealed nature of NEMA 3 enclosures can also prevent the ingress of large pests that could otherwise damage transmission wires or electronics. Durable and weather-resistant enclosures are a good investment to keep industrial operations going smoothly and avoid the high costs of power failures.
What Materials To Select for NEMA 3 Enclosures
Some companies sell NEMA 3 products made of ABS plastic, but we recommend avoiding this material. UV rays can make plastics brittle and vulnerable to cracking. Metal enclosures offer long-lasting durability and greater protection against impacts and hail.
Stainless Steel
Stainless steel enclosures offer enhanced corrosion protection in some industrial environments, making them a good choice for oil & gas, petrochemical, and food and beverage applications.
Aluminum
Aluminum has an advantage over SS in coastal or off-shore locations. Aluminum enclosures are popular for alternative energy generation facilities (e.g. hydroelectric, wind, and geothermal).
Cold-Rolled Steel
Steel enclosures need a protective coating to avoid corrosion outdoors, such as galvanization, powder coat, or paint finishes. The advantage of CRS is its lower cost and greater tensile strength.
NEMA 3 Electrical Enclosures Finish Options
Custom NEMA 3 Enclosure Accessories
All of our enclosures can be custom fabricated to maintain your protection requirements and functionality by adding any of the following accessories:
| Temperature & Air Control | Lighting & Interior | Mounting & Exterior |
| » Thermostats | » Power Supply | » U-bolts |
| » Sun Shields | » Enclosure Lights | » Lifting Eyes |
| » Enclosure Breathers | » Light Switches | » Casters & Wheels |
| » Insulation | » Viewing Windows | » Vibration Control |
| » Heaters | » EIA Racks | » Back Plates/Sub-Panels |
| » Air Conditioners | » Shelves | |
| » Axial Fans | » Slide-out Drawers | |
| » Vents & Air Filters |
Common Applications for NEMA 3 Enclosures
NEMA 3 enclosures are fabricated to house electrical controls, generator skids, and rotating equipment. These enclosures play a major role in the telecom and power generation sectors. Other applications include ship docks, construction sites, tunnels, and subway systems.
NEMA 3: Indoor vs. Outdoor
For indoor applications such as industrial structures or labs the metal structure is generally stored in a dry environment but would be equipped to protect against dripping pipes.
Outdoor applications require that the metal junction box be impervious to a range of weather conditions that include rain, wind, sleet and the formation of ice.
NEMA 3 Vs. NEMA 3R
NEMA 3 enclosures are rated for windblown dust, offering superior protection in sandy or dusty environments. Choose a NEMA 3R enclosure when thermal venting and water drainage are more important.
Find the Ideal NEMA 3 Enclosure for Your Needs
At Bison Profab, we have an excellent reputation for quality and customization features. Request a quote for NEMA 3 enclosure products right away.
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