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The History of NEMA and Why It’s Important

We live in an age of regulations, with government agencies and nonprofit organizations setting guidelines for the well-being and interests of consumers. Many of these associations are new, while others have existed for decades or more.

NEMA is the largest trade association in the United States, setting standards for electrical appliances manufacturing. Countless businesses follow these codes to ensure safety for customers and employees alike. Here are some facts about the history of Nema and the reasons why this association is so important.

The Early Days

NEMA, or the National Electrical Manufacturers Association, was founded in 1926 in Rosslyn, Virginia. This creation resulted from a merger between the Associated Manufacturers of Electrical Supplies and the Electric Power Club to develop the optimal forum for standardizing electrical appliances and equipment. NEMA’s goal was to provide codes that paved the way to safer, more effective devices for consumers. Countless businesses throughout the country quickly adopted these sensible standards.

NEMA Today

The standards that NEMA created are useful for any business, but its influence is mostly over North American corporations. Today, NEMA has around 350 member companies; these businesses create NEMA-approved equipment for countless applications, including industrial and household.

Outside of the United States and Canada, most countries adhere to IEC (International Electrotechnical Commission) standards over NEMA regulations. IEC standards are similar to NEMA codes, but the former specifically focus on industrial settings and applications.

The Importance of NEMA

So whyis NEMA so important? Ultimately, its standards ensure safer electronic products and equipment for consumers and businesses. Moreover, these guidelines ensure that devices perform effectively and efficiently. Certain association functions, such NEMA naming conventions, also help businesses and individuals operate their equipment properly. This saves on energy bills and machine repairs. For all of these reasons, our electronics-dominated world would be in chaos without the influence of NEMA.

The history of NEMA is undoubtedly interesting, but the function of this association is what truly makes it so important. Without its standards, businesses and consumers would receive poorer products that would be insufficiently safe to handle.

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Written by Logan Voss

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