Enclosure Interlocks
When an industrial control panel controls industrial machinery, and operates with a voltage more than 50 V AC / 60 V DC, each door of the control panel must be locked so that the door can only be opened when the disconnecting means is switched off. Door interlocking can either be mechanical or electrical, and must meet the following conditions. The interlocking must be activated automatically when closing the doors without additional measures. It must be possible for an authorize person to defeat the interlock with a tool so that the door can be opened for maintenance and service, with the main switch staying on.
Hoffman PROLINE G2 Mechanical Interlocks utilize a ½ inch aluminum hex rod, which feeds through door actuators positioned at the top of the enclosure. The door-mounted activator brackets engage with the actuators, and the combination of the actuators and a hook and capture system, increases the safety by preventing system re-energization without closure of all secondary doors and the primary door.
Products
More Information about Enclosure Interlocks
Hoffman Electrical Interlocks provide positive internal safety lockout on electrical enclosure while the equipment is energized. When energized, the interlocks prevent the door handle from being turned to open the door.
Hoffman Electrical Interlock Defeaters enable authorized personnel to enter an enclosure while the enclosure equipment is energized. Defeaters are key-operated, momentary contact switches with contacts normally closed. Turning the key disengages the circuit to the electrical interlock. They can be used with ll 110/120 V Hoffman electrical interlocks.
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.