A stator arrangement particularly suitable for use in an air-cooled generator or other such electric machine includes a stator with an outer stator surface, an opening therein defining an inner stator surface, and longitudinally opposed stator end surfaces. Conductive coils are supported by the stator, and include end turns overlying the longitudinally opposed stator end surfaces. In order to block out environmental contaminants and prevent conductive coil shorting, protective barriers are mounted over the end turns and secured to the stator.