Custom Electrical Enclosures - How to Choose the Right One for Your Use
The key to finding the right custom electrical enclosure is to first decide what you will be using it for. Several important factors to determine when selecting the right product for you include the size of enclosure needed, material type and selection, finish, and NEMA rating.
Step one: How to determine the correct
size. Electrical enclosures can range in size from
several inches too large, walk-in style containers and metal rooms, generators,
and transformer
housings. Decide which style is best for you from choosing smaller wall-mount,
or floor-mounted to larger outdoor enclosures. The overall size is ultimately
determined by the dimensions of the internal components which the enclosure
will be housing. Many users also decide size based on several
factors including the amount of heat generated by the electrical parts and the
subsequential amount of required airflow necessary to cool those
parts. The National Electrical Code(NEC) outlines the proper airflow and construction
requirements based on the amount of heat generated
and is a good tool to help in the selection process.
Step two: How to determine the proper
material for your enclosure. Custom electrical enclosures are
commonly constructed
of carbon steel, stainless steel, aluminum, or galvanized steel. The proper
material for the enclosure that you will need depends on the environment. An
indoor unit can be fabricated
from carbon steel and finished with a basic protective
coating, while an outdoor unit should be of a more protective stainless steel
or aluminum. If it is not constructed from stainless steel or aluminum, as an alternative,
it may be painted or powder-coated to ensure that it remains corrosion resistant
over time.
Step three: Select the right finish for
your unit. The two primary types of finish options include
painting and powder coating. When determining
the optimum finish for your product, consider the following guidelines. Painting is
a good option for unique colors and smaller volumes. The painting process for
enclosures is referred
to in the industry as liquid coating or wet coating. Powder
coating is an entirely different process than liquid painting. While
powder coating is a more industrial and longer-lasting protective
coating suitable for higher volumes. For corrosive
environments, marine-duty coatings are available. Both
painting and powder coating requires the sheet metal to be properly pre-treated
to ensure that the coating achieves and maintains good adhesion. Proper adhesion
is important to ensure that the coating does not fade, crack, or delaminate
over time. Pretreating processes or "cleaning" and preparations often
include pressure washing the sheet
metal parts with a phosphate mix
which effectively removes oils, grease, dust, and debris prior to painting or
powder coating.
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