NAICS 335311

Overview

The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) is the framework U.S. federal statistical programs use to categorize business establishments for collecting, analyzing, and publishing economic data. Developed under the Office of Management and Budget with partners in Canada and Mexico, NAICS was adopted in 1997 to improve comparability of business statistics across North America. ¹

NAICS 335311 covers establishments primarily engaged in manufacturing power, distribution, and specialty transformers (excluding electronic component–type transformers). Typical products include substation transformers, pole- and pad-mounted distribution transformers, instrument transformers, fluorescent lamp ballasts, and transmission/distribution voltage regulators. ²

Federal statistical releases are transitioning programs to the 2022 NAICS vintage; the 2022 Economic Census is published on this basis and other programs are adopting according to a Census Bureau schedule. ³

See also on G2X:

• G2X — NAICS 335311 overview
• NAICS 334416 — Electronic Coil, Transformer, and Other Inductor Manufacturing
• PSC 6120 — Transformers; Distribution and Power Station

What this NAICS covers

• Manufacturing power transformers for electric power transmission and distribution. ²
• Manufacturing pole-mounted and pad-mounted distribution transformers. ²
• Manufacturing specialty instrument transformers (e.g., current and potential/voltage transformers). ²
• Manufacturing substation transformers for utility distribution networks. ²
• Manufacturing fluorescent lamp ballasts (transformer-type). ²
• Manufacturing transmission and distribution voltage regulators. ²

Related NAICS and PSC codes

Scope notes and exclusions

• Electronic component–type transformers (e.g., small electronic inductors/transformers integrated into devices) are classified in NAICS 334416, not NAICS 335311. ²
• Power conversion equipment (e.g., rectifiers and inverters) is outside NAICS 335311; this industry covers devices that change voltage rather than convert current type. ²

Frequently asked questions

• What products fall under NAICS 335311?

  • NAICS 335311 includes power and distribution transformers, instrument transformers, fluorescent lamp ballasts, and transmission/distribution voltage regulators used across utility and industrial systems. These products change voltage for transmission and distribution applications. ²

• Are electronic transformers covered by this NAICS?

  • No. Electronic component–type transformers and inductors fall under NAICS 334416. NAICS 335311 is limited to power, distribution, and specialty transformers rather than electronic component–type devices for end equipment. ²

• Does the government publish statistics using the 2022 NAICS vintage for this industry?

  • Yes. The Census Bureau publishes the 2022 Economic Census using the 2022 NAICS structure and is transitioning other economic programs on a published timeline. This affects dissemination schedules and comparability across vintages. ³

• How do PSC codes relate to NAICS 335311?

  • PSC codes categorize purchased products/services, not establishments. Relevant PSCs include 6120 (Transformers; Distribution and Power Station) and 5950 (Coils and Transformers). No official one-to-one NAICS-to-PSC mapping is provided. Not specified by official sources ².

• What data elements are typically published for industries like NAICS 335311?

  • Economic Census outputs commonly include establishment counts, employment, annual payroll, and value of shipments, published by NAICS industry at multiple geographic levels. Data are accessible via tables, downloads, and APIs. ⁴

Useful resources

• G2X — NAICS 335311 page
• U.S. Census Bureau NAICS detail for 335311 (definition, examples, cross-references). ²
• Census: Implementation of the 2022 NAICS (current vintage, transition timeline). ³
• 2022 Economic Census — How data are disseminated (NAICS-based outputs and access). ⁴
• DFARS PGI listing for FSC/PSC classes (descriptions for 6120 and 5950). ⁵

References

1. U.S. Census Bureau — Classifying Businesses (history of NAICS adoption and development): https://www.census.gov/about/history/historical-censuses-and-surveys/census-programs-surveys/economic/classifying-businesses.html
2. U.S. Census Bureau — 2022 NAICS search result for 335311 (definition, examples, cross-references): https://www.census.gov/naics/?input=335311&year=2022
3. U.S. Census Bureau — Implementation of the 2022 NAICS (current vintage and adoption timeline): https://www.census.gov/library/reference/code-lists/naics/2022/implementation-timeline.html
4. U.S. Census Bureau — 2022 Economic Census: How data are disseminated: https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/economic-census/year/2022/guidance/how-2022-ecdata-disseminated.html
5. Acquisition.gov — DFARS PGI 208.7006 (Coordinated Acquisition Assignments; PSC class descriptors including 6120 and 5950): https://www.acquisition.gov/dfarspgi/pgi-part-208-required-sources-supplies-and-services