What is one limitation of a NEMA 3R enclosure?

A NEMA 3R enclosure is rated for outdoor use and provides protection against rain, ice, and falling snow, which allows it to be suitable for various outdoor applications. However, one limitation of the NEMA 3R enclosure is that it is not dust-tight. This means that while it can resist moisture and other weather conditions, it does not provide a complete seal against the intrusion of airborne particles, such as dust. This lack of dust-tightness could lead to potential issues in environments where dust build-up might affect the operation of the equipment housed within the enclosure.

The other aspects of the enclosure's characteristics help clarify why they are not limitations: NEMA 3R enclosures can indeed withstand moderate temperature fluctuations and provide some level of protection from water ingress, albeit not as robustly as fully waterproof options. Additionally, they are explicitly designed to be suitable for outdoor use, which directly contradicts the assertion in another option that suggests they are not suitable for such applications.