
Enclosure Roof Plates & Canopies

Enclosure roof plates and canopies play a crucial role in the protection and functionality of various enclosure systems. At their core, they serve as the primary shield against environmental factors like rain, snow, and direct sunlight. Designed to cover the top of an enclosure, these components ensure that sensitive equipment housed within remains dry and safe from potential damage due to external elements.
Roof plates are typically flat or slightly sloped structures that fit snugly on top of enclosures. They are often made from robust materials like stainless steel, aluminum, or even certain durable plastics to provide long-lasting protection. In some designs, roof plates might have additional features, such as vents or cooling fans, to assist with thermal management inside the enclosure.
On the other hand, canopies offer a slightly different approach. While they also provide protection from the elements, canopies typically extend beyond the enclosure's footprint. This overhanging design ensures that water runoff doesn't drip down the sides of the enclosure, which can be especially beneficial in preventing seepage or corrosion over time. Canopies can also provide shade, which can be valuable in outdoor settings where direct sunlight might impact the temperature inside the enclosure or cause glare on display panels.
Products
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.