National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA)

The National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) is the largest association of electrical goods and equipment and electronic medical imaging equipment manufacturers in the United States. The association was founded in 1926 and is headquartered in Rosslyn, Virginia.

NEMA represents businesses that build many electrical systems, including infrastructure, lighting, industrial products and systems, utility products and systems, transportation systems and medical imaging. The association lobbies at all levels of government on behalf of its member’s interests and conveys their input in such matters as local building codes, infrastructure funding, national energy policy and international trade. The company also performs market research and analysis with in-house developed market and statistical programs.

NEMA publishes white papers and creates electrical standards such as those for electric motors, electrical enclosures, magnet wiring and connectors. NEMA standards promote safety and interoperability between products. Domestic North American power connectors are a NEMA standard. These are two prong and grounded three prong male connectors and female connectors, or outlets as they are commonly known.

NEMA represents approximately 325 different manufacturers. The manufacturers employ 360,000 workers in 7,000 facilities throughout the US. The manufacturers under NEMA produce over $106 billion in electrical equipment and medical imaging with over $36 billion in exports.