NAICS 423610

Overview

The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) is the federal standard for classifying business establishments to support statistical collection, analysis, and publication across the U.S. economy. Developed under the Office of Management and Budget with U.S., Canadian, and Mexican partners, NAICS replaced SIC in 1997; current Economic Census statistics are published on the 2022 NAICS vintage. ¹

NAICS 423610 covers merchant wholesalers of electrical apparatus and equipment, wiring supplies, and related equipment within Sector 42 (Wholesale Trade). Federal statistical products and guidance list this industry under the Electrical and Electronic Appliance, Apparatus, Wiring Supplies, and Related Equipment group. ⁴

What this NAICS covers

• Wholesale distribution of electrical construction materials and wiring supplies used in building and industrial installations. ²
• Wholesale distribution of electric light fixtures and related fittings. ²
• Wholesale distribution of power equipment for generation, transmission, distribution, and control of electric energy (e.g., switchgear). ²
• Wholesale distribution of insulated wire and cable as electrical wiring supplies. ³
• Wholesale distribution of electrical connectors, terminals, and associated hardware. ⁶
• Wholesale distribution to business, institutional, and government customers consistent with Wholesale Trade sector characteristics. ⁸

Related NAICS and PSC codes

Inclusions and exclusions (per official cross-references)

• Includes electrical construction materials, wiring supplies, electric light fixtures, and electrical power equipment for generation, transmission, distribution, or control of electric energy. ²
• Includes insulated wire when wholesaled as electrical wiring supplies. ³
• Excludes radios, televisions, and consumer sound/video equipment; those are covered by NAICS 423620. ²
• Excludes broader “other electronic parts and equipment” not focused on electrical apparatus or construction materials; those fall under NAICS 423690. ²

Where this code appears in Census products

• Listed under the Electrical and Electronic Appliance, Apparatus, Wiring Supplies, and Related Equipment group of Sector 42 (Wholesale Trade) in Economic Census materials. ⁴
• Sector 42 tables for the 2022 Economic Census provide official statistics; users can filter to NAICS 423610 on data.census.gov using the sector’s links. ⁵
• Federal labor/economic datasets (e.g., LEHD) publish code labels reflecting the official NAICS title for 423610. ⁷

Frequently asked questions

• What kinds of products are typically reported under NAICS 423610?
  Products include electrical construction materials, wiring supplies, electric light fixtures, and equipment used to generate, transmit, distribute, or control electric power (e.g., switchgear and related control gear). ²

• How does NAICS 423610 differ from NAICS 423620 and NAICS 423690?
  423610 focuses on electrical apparatus/wiring supplies and power equipment; 423620 covers consumer appliances and electronics; 423690 covers other electronic parts/equipment. Census cross-references distinguish these scopes. ²

• Does NAICS 423610 include installation or repair services?
  Wholesale establishments typically sell to business/government customers from warehouses or offices; installation or repair services are characteristic of other sectors rather than wholesale trade. Not specified by official sources ⁸.

• Where can official statistics for NAICS 423610 be found?
  Use the 2022 Economic Census Sector 42 tables and filter to the industry for national-level wholesale trade statistics on a 2022 NAICS basis. ⁵

• Were there code-level changes to NAICS 423610 in 2022?
  The 2022 Economic Census publishes statistics using the 2022 NAICS vintage. Any code-specific change notes for 423610 are not specified by official sources. ¹

Useful resources

• G2X — NAICS 423610
• Census: NAICS Codes & Understanding Industry Classification Systems (2022 Economic Census uses 2022 NAICS). ¹
• Census: 2022 NAICS Sector 42 — Wholesale Trade (Economic Census tables). ⁵
• Census: Employer Categories listing with NAICS 423610 under Electrical and Electronic Appliance, Apparatus, Wiring Supplies, and Related Equipment. ⁴
• Acquisition.gov: Product and Service Code (PSC) references for classes such as 6145 and 6110. ⁶

References

1. U.S. Census Bureau — Economic Census: NAICS Codes & Understanding Industry Classification Systems, 2022 vintage basis: https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/economic-census/year/2022/technical-documentation/code-lists/understanding-naics-redirect.html
2. U.S. Census Bureau — Cross-reference indicating scope relative to 423610 and 423620 (Other Electronic Parts and Equipment Merchant Wholesalers): https://www2.census.gov/econ2012/Reference_materials/htm%20files/2007_42369020.htm
3. U.S. Census Bureau — Cross-reference noting insulated wire is classified in 423610: https://www2.census.gov/econ2012/Reference_materials/htm%20files/2007_42351012.htm
4. U.S. Census Bureau — Employer Categories and Corresponding Establishment NAICS Industries (Sector 42 listing includes 423610): https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/esp/guidance/employer.html
5. U.S. Census Bureau — 2022 NAICS Sector 42: Wholesale Trade (Economic Census tables): https://www.census.gov/data/tables/2022/econ/economic-census/naics-sector-42.html
6. Acquisition.gov — DFARS PGI Part 208 coordinated acquisition list (PSC class descriptors such as 6145, 6110, 5935, 5925): https://www.acquisition.gov/dfarspgi/pgi-part-208-required-sources-supplies-and-services
7. U.S. Census Bureau — LEHD Snapshot Documentation, Selected Code Labels (includes 423610 title): https://lehd.ces.census.gov/data/lehd-snapshot-doc/latest/appendices/value_labels.html
8. U.S. Census Bureau — 2022 Economic Census FAQ: Wholesale Trade sector characteristics: https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/economic-census/year/2022/about/faq/faq-wholesale.html