Electrical Enclosures & Junction Boxes
Hoffman delivers the industry’s most comprehensive portfolio of high-quality IEC and NEMA electrical enclosures for a vast range of applications. Their products are developed in world-class testing facilities and are rigorously tested for dust infiltration, salt, fog, corrosion, vibration resistance, thermal cycling, and other environmental conditions to ensure optimal performance and protection. Hoffman’s extensive portfolio includes: Wall-Mount Enclosures, Free-Stand Enclosures, Disconnect Enclosures, Modular Enclosures, Commercial Enclosures, Hazardous Location Enclosures and HMI Enclosure Systems.
Rittal wall-mount and free-stand enclosures can be used in virtually any industrial application and are specifically designed for use in harsh environments to help ensure a long service life of the electronics enclosed within and bring superior durability to an existing automation infrastructure. Rittal’s portfolio includes: Wall-Mount Enclosures, Free-Stand Enclosures, Modular Enclosures, Disconnect Enclosures, Junction Boxes, Terminal Boxes and Hygienic Design Enclosures.
Allied Moulded non-metallic enclosures are designed to protect against the toughest elements and environments across a wide array of industrial applications. From small junction boxes to large free standing cabinets, the enclosures are designed to insulate and protect electronic components in both indoor and outdoor applications. Allied Moulded’s portfolio includes: Fiberglass Enclosures and Polycarbonate Enclosures.
Stahlin has led the electrical products industry in designing, engineering and manufacturing fiberglass, polycarbonate and PVC enclosures for diverse indoor and outdoor applications. They provide the most extensive line of non-metallic enclosures and accessories, balancing aesthetics with stringent physical property performance standards. Stahlin’s portfolio includes: Wall-Mount Enclosures, Free-Stand Enclosures and Junction Boxes.
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Enclosure Selection Basics
Electrical enclosures are cabinets that are designed to house electrical components and electrical controls. Their main function is to protect the components, as well as to protect the operators from electrical hazards and ensure electrical safety. Enclosures are typically made of solid plastics, fiberglass, and metal materials, such as carbon steel, stainless steel, and aluminum, to provide robust protection for electronic controls and electronic equipment.
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.