Outdoor Network Cabinets

More Information about Outdoor Network Cabinets

Outdoor enclosures usually have advanced cooling solutions to maintain a stable temperature and prevent equipment from overheating. Natural wind cooling can be used to cool the enclosure itself, but fan-assisted internal cooling is far more common. Options rated to NEMA standards ensure that the cabinet will perform reliably even in the kinds of critical applications where one would normally not trust outdoor enclosures at all. Add to this the option to mount the cabinet virtually anywhere and features like rear-door access and customizable panel layouts, and the outdoor enclosure starts to look like something one would consider in a wide variety of scenarios.

FAQs

Does an outdoor rack or outdoor cabinet come with a standard single door?

Outdoor racks or outdoor cabinets often come with a standard single door, but they can also be available with double door options depending on the model and the specific needs of the installation.

Are front door dust filters necessary for outdoor server racks to protect sensitive network equipment?

Yes, front door dust filters are necessary for outdoor server racks as they help protect sensitive network equipment by preventing dust and debris from entering the enclosure and compromising performance.

Can an outdoor network cabinet design include a rain hood and filtered vents at no additional cost?

Yes, an outdoor network cabinet design can include a rain hood and filtered vents at no additional cost, depending on the manufacturer and specific product features.

NEMA 3R, 4, 4X Enclosures

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 3R Enclosures

The NEMA definition of a 3R enclosure is as follows: ‘Enclosures constructed for either indoor or outdoor use to provide a degree of protection to personnel against access to hazardous parts, to provide a degree of protection of the equipment inside the enclosure against Ingress of solid foreign objects such as falling dirt, to provide a degree of protection with respect to harmful effects on the equipment due to the Ingress of water, rain, sleet or snow, and that will be undamaged by the external formation of ice on the enclosure.' NEMA 3R enclosures provide adequate outdoor protection while providing significant cost savings over NEMA 4 and NEMA 4X enclosures. 

NEMA 4 Enclosures

They provide all of the same protections found in the NEMA 3R enclosures with two additional protection elements, protection against wind-blown dust particles and protection against hose directed water. NEMA 4 enclosures provide this additional protection using a gasket material to prevent water or dust from entering the enclosure, while the NEMA 3R enclosures rely on enclosure design and gravity to assist in diverting water and dust.  

NEMA 4X Enclosures

They provide all of the same protections found in the NEMA 4 enclosures with one added protection element, corrosion resistance. NEMA 4X enclosures are typically made of either stainless steel or fiberglass.