Enclosure Casters
Enclosure casters are wheels or rolling mechanisms at the base of electrical enclosures that make them much more mobile than would otherwise be the case. They generally come in a variety of sizes and materials and are made to support different weights and to accommodate different floor surfaces.
Heavy-duty casters, for instance, might be made of steel and have ball bearings for a smooth roll, as well as several other features for handling weight and securing the enclosure once they're in use. A rubber caster, however, might roll just as easily but be more forgiving on the fragile floors of a scenario where the floor surface is part of the scene.
Caster design may also opt for features allowing them to move in multiple directions, and set them up in a way that permits linear movement for the enclosures they support. Some casters are built for tough environments, resisting moisture, chemicals, and temperature extremes to ensure their durability in long-term industrial applications.
FAQs
What is the typical weight capacity of casters used on a network rack?
The typical weight capacity of casters used on a network rack ranges from 200 to 1,000 pounds per caster, depending on the caster type and material, allowing the rack to support heavy equipment securely.
Maintaining NEMA 4 Rating When Making Enclosure Penetrations
Cutouts are very common when modifying enclosures for push buttons, indication lights, conduit entries or mounting hardware. Cutting into an enclosure runs the risk of eliminating the protective nature of the NEMA rated attributes. Proper steps must be followed in order to preserve the NEMA rating of an enclosure.
Devices mounted to the enclosure must have the same NEMA rating as the enclosure. This means that if the devices are installed to the manufacturer's specifications, they will be able to maintain the NEMA rating of the enclosure.
Water tight conduit hubs must be used when running wire through a cutout in an enclosure. There are many different types of conduit hubs that are used to secure conduit to an enclosure. However, only certain conduit hubs are rated for a watertight seal. By using water tight hubs, the NEMA rating of the enclosure is maintained.
Bonded washers are necessary when mounting hardware to an enclosure. If standard mounting hardware is used, the NEMA rating of the enclosure will no longer be maintained. Bonded washers have rubber gaskets that make a watertight seal around the drilled hole. It is also important to make sure the material used for the bonded washer matches the material of the enclosure. Stainless steel enclosures require stainless steel bonded washers.