NEMA ratings, along with other approvals agencies’ ratings, are a way to determine if the switch will perform in hazardous or “unfriendly” applications. NEMA’s enclosure ratings are categorized into non-hazardous and hazardous location applications. For hazardous locations, it’s vital to choose a switch with a NEMA Type 7 Class 1 rating for explosive gases or vapors or a Type 9 Class 2 rating for combustible dust.