Commercial Enclosures
Commercial enclosures are typically used to protect electrical components and equipment from environmental factors, such as dust, moisture, and other contaminants. These enclosures can be used for a wide range of applications, from industrial machinery to outdoor electrical equipment.
Commercial enclosures are typically manufactured from materials such as steel, aluminum, or plastic, and can come in a variety of shapes and sizes. They may be wall-mounted, free-standing, or designed for use in harsh environments such as offshore oil platforms or chemical processing plants.
One important factor to consider when selecting a commercial electrical enclosure is its level of protection. Enclosures are typically rated based on their ability to protect against dust, water, and other contaminants. These ratings are often defined by the National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) and the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC).
More Information about Commercial Enclosures
Canadian Cabinets and Splitters
Canadian cabinets and splitters have been independently tested and certified to meet the recognized standards for performance and safety by the Canadian Standards Association (CSA). Metering enclosures and splitter boxes are designed for indoor and outdoor protection of instrument assemblies, transformers and splitters.
Current Transformer Cabinets and Terminal Enclosures
Current transformer cabinets and terminal enclosures provide protection for current transformers, relays, meters and terminal assemblies. Terminal enclosures are wire-splice boxes that have a feeder tap to branch circuits. Due to the large currents flowing in, cabinets and enclosures are an essential protection barrier for operators against electric shock. They also protect sensitive equipment from harsh environmental elements.
Electrical Utility Enclosures
Electrical utility enclosures provide protection and security for automatic cut-offs, safety and transfer switches, monitors and manual controls. The enclosures meet structural, physical, environmental and equipment testing standards by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and usually provide a locking device.
Industrial Enclosures and Junction Boxes
Industrial enclosures and junction boxes are integral to many electrical distribution systems. Junction boxes distribute power from one location to multiple other locations or collect control signals from various input and output devices and deliver them to central control panels. The main purpose of the enclosures and boxes is to shield the inside components from the outside elements.
Telephone Enclosures
Telephone enclosures are designed to protect the telephone and communication cable terminations, electrical controls and instruments in indoor applications. Termination cabinets provide a termination point for the utility company's transition to secondary circuits and primary feeders.
FAQs
Can commercial enclosures be manufactured to provide a good solution for applications in the rain?
Yes, commercial enclosures can be manufactured to provide a good solution for applications in the rain. Enclosures designed for outdoor use are often constructed with materials that are waterproof or water-resistant, such as stainless steel or aluminum, and are equipped with gaskets or seals to prevent water from entering the enclosure.
Enclosure Selection Basics
Electrical enclosures are cabinets that are designed to house electrical components. Their main function is to protect the components, as well as to protect the operators from electrical hazards. Enclosures are typically made of solid plastics, fiberglass and metal materials, such as carbon steel, stainless steel and aluminum.
One of the most important things to consider when selecting an electrical enclosure is the NEMA rating. NEMA stands for National Electrical Manufacturer Association. They have developed a rating system which determines the types of environments an electrical enclosure can be used in.
NEMA 1 and a NEMA 12 enclosures
Both of these enclosures are intended for indoor use only. They are both dust resistant. The NEMA 12 enclosure is rated for damp environments. The NEMA 1 is rated only for dry environments.
NEMA 4 and NEMA 4X enclosures
Both of these enclosures can be used indoors as well as outdoors. They are both dust resistant. They are also water resistant and corrosion resistant. NEMA 4X has an extra layer of corrosion resistance.
NEMA 7 enclosures
This is a more specific type of enclosure that is rated for use in hazardous environments. It is rated to contain an explosion within the enclosure and not cause any sort of external hazard.
Size
When selecting the size of an enclosure, it is important to consider the following: how much space will the electrical components occupy, how much space is needed around each component, is there enough room to run all of the wires and how much space is needed outside of the enclosure?
Temperature
When selecting an enclosure, it is important to consider both the ambient temperature and the temperature that is generated inside of the enclosure. When an enclosure is located outside in direct sunlight, that heat can be transferred inside the enclosure. Also, each component inside of the enclosure generates a certain amount of heat.