
Enclosure Windows & Inspection Windows

Electrical enclosures are designed to house industrial components and to protect them from the surrounding environment. They are also designed to protect operators from electric shock. They come in many different shapes, sizes and materials. Some things to consider when selecting the proper enclosure would be the number of components housed inside and what material and rating will provide the appropriate protection.
Hazardous location enclosures are specifically designed to isolate electrical components from hazardous locations. Hazardous locations are classified as areas where there is the possibility of explosion or fire because of the presence of ignitable or combustible gases, vapors, liquids, fibers or dust. Electrical equipment can be a potential source of ignition through sparks, equipment failure and high temperatures. Hazardous location enclosures are constructed to eliminate the potential for ignition of the atmosphere.
Enclosure windows can be installed in electrical enclosures to provide safe visibility for viewing and monitoring equipment inside without opening the enclosure door. Hinged window kits can be installed on enclosure doors that already have switches, meters, lights or other components mounted on them. The hinged window kit is placed over the components and allows access to them with a hinged window that opens. Some window kits are specially designed for hazardous areas. The window kits are installed by making a cutout in the enclosure and attaching the window and frame with mounting hardware. They allow viewing inside an enclosure while ensuring that no water, oil or dust can enter.
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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.