Allied Moulded Electrical Enclosures
Allied Moulded enclosures are known for being tough and capable of withstanding harsh environments. Their fiberglass and polycarbonate enclosures are fabricated to handle both indoor and outdoor applications and to provide electrical and electronic components with the best protection that can be had in any electrical industry.
Allied Moulded's fiberglass enclosures are made with their special ULTRAGUARDĀ® compound. This changes the properties of fiberglass and makes it much more temperature and chemically resistant. The enclosures are made in various sizes and forms, ranging from the tiny AM1712-NK enclosure that is used as a small junction box, to the much larger cabinet enclosures that are used to house safe and dangerous in almost any industrial environment. The screw-down covers are as close to 100% impervious as you are going to get. The resin that is used turns from liquid to solid really fast when the mold is closed; that is why you see so many curve marks or depression features in the interiors of the enclosure. These are cooling marks.
An alternative to fiberglass enclosures is offered in the form of polycarbonate enclosures. Polycarbonate enclosures are seen as more aesthetically pleasing when compared to the fiberglass ones. More importantly, they appear to be more durable, and that is what counts in enclosure technology. Unlike fiberglass enclosures, which often become noticeably opaque over time, polycarbonate enclosures remain transparent.
Products
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.