Schneider Electric ABS Enclosures
Schneider Electric ABS enclosures are engineered for electrical and electronic equipment. These enclosures are extremely lightweight but offer an exceptionally sturdy and durable housing solution. They are made from ABS, a high-quality thermoplastic known for its outstanding impact strength, chemical resistance, and excellent performance in varying temperature conditions. With a well-deserved reputation for being extremely tough and virtually unbreakable, ABS ensures the utmost protection for valuable components within a wide range of indoor applications.
Industries that require non-conductive and corrosion-resistant housings find these Schneider Electric ABS enclosures to be very useful. The ABS materials used in these enclosures are not corroded in the presence of solvents or corrosive chemicals, which allows for their use in environments where such substances are present. They are also much less conductive of electricity than, say, stainless steel or aluminum enclosures, because ABS is a kind of plastic.
Non-Metallic Enclosure Types
Characteristics of non-metallic enclosures:
NEMA 4x rating for outdoor use providing chemical resistance and protection from dust, debris, water and rain.
High insulation value, which provides insulation from cold and hot temperatures, but does not dissipate heat from inside the enclosure.
Non-conductive, meaning components cannot be grounded to the enclosure, but it still provides the same security and tamper resistance levels as metallic enclosures when properly locked.
Types of non-metallic enclosures:
Fiberglass
A thermoset polyester material reinforced with glass fibers. It is the most widely used non-metallic material in the industry. It has high impact strength and rigidity (dimensional stability), a superior working temperature range (-31˚F to 300˚F), excellent electrical properties, moisture and chemical resistance, as well as being cost effective.
Polycarbonate
High-performance thermoplastic resin processed by injection molding or sheet extrusion. It has superior impact resistance, good rigidity (dimensional stability), an extended temperature range (-31˚F to 180˚F), excellent electrical properties, fire retention, UV stability and corrosion resistance in some acidic surroundings. It is not suitable for environments with strong alkalis and organic solvents.
ABS or ABS blends
Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene is a common thermoplastic polymer processed by injection molding. It has high impact resistance, but less impact resistance in cold weather compared to polycarbonate, excellent electrical properties, superior chemical and moisture resistance, but a narrower temperature range than fiberglass (-40˚F to 248˚F).
Polyester
High-performance unfilled thermal plastic processed by injection molding. It has high impact resistance, but less impact resistance in cold weather than polycarbonate, excellent electrical properties, superior chemical and moisture resistance, but a narrower temperature range than fiberglass (-40˚F to 248˚F).