Phoenix Contact Polyester Enclosures
Phoenix contact polyester enclosures are extremely tough and do an excellent job of keeping various internal components safe and dry from the numerous hazards that otherwise spell doom for more conventional metal enclosures in harsh environments.
You can get polyester junction boxes from Phoenix Contact in lots of sizes and configurations; some are even suitable for a variety of applications. These boxes are built to be tough and to resist corrosion, UV radiation, and extreme temps.
You can find these power distribution boxes with various Ingress Protection (IP) ratings, ranging from a low of IP66 to a high of IP69K. Different ratings correspond to different amps (power-handling capability), and total flap size and construction type (e.g., are there silicone gaskets?). These box types must be used with a water-resistant conduit between the wireway and the box. Some IP ratings are just because the box is cast from very thick aluminum and have nothing to do with the flap. Phoenix Contact junction boxes and empty enclosures can be filled according to customer specifications.
Non-Metallic Enclosure Types
Characteristics of non-metallic enclosures:
NEMA 4x rating for outdoor use providing chemical resistance and protection from dust, debris, water and rain.
High insulation value, which provides insulation from cold and hot temperatures, but does not dissipate heat from inside the enclosure.
Non-conductive, meaning components cannot be grounded to the enclosure, but it still provides the same security and tamper resistance levels as metallic enclosures when properly locked.
Types of non-metallic enclosures:
Fiberglass
A thermoset polyester material reinforced with glass fibers. It is the most widely used non-metallic material in the industry. It has high impact strength and rigidity (dimensional stability), a superior working temperature range (-31˚F to 300˚F), excellent electrical properties, moisture and chemical resistance, as well as being cost effective.
Polycarbonate
High-performance thermoplastic resin processed by injection molding or sheet extrusion. It has superior impact resistance, good rigidity (dimensional stability), an extended temperature range (-31˚F to 180˚F), excellent electrical properties, fire retention, UV stability and corrosion resistance in some acidic surroundings. It is not suitable for environments with strong alkalis and organic solvents.
ABS or ABS blends
Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene is a common thermoplastic polymer processed by injection molding. It has high impact resistance, but less impact resistance in cold weather compared to polycarbonate, excellent electrical properties, superior chemical and moisture resistance, but a narrower temperature range than fiberglass (-40˚F to 248˚F).
Polyester
High-performance unfilled thermal plastic processed by injection molding. It has high impact resistance, but less impact resistance in cold weather than polycarbonate, excellent electrical properties, superior chemical and moisture resistance, but a narrower temperature range than fiberglass (-40˚F to 248˚F).