What You Should Know About Enclosures

What You Should Know About Enclosures

Electrical equipment poses a lot of danger if mishandled by anyone. Hence, the task to deal with anything that concerns electricity must be left to a group of professionals.

Every professional comes with a set of recommendations that talk about considering Electric Enclosures to be installed at the premises. An Electric Enclosure is basically a box that protects all the electrical accessories and devices which are placed in it. Often referred to as a cabinet, an Electric Enclosure is placed at every residential and commercial property.

Their job is simple, to protect the electric appliances and accessories from harsh weather conditions and ensuring that the customer does not get electrified by the accidental touch.

Some places where it can be installed are homes, schools, colleges, office buildings, factories, and eateries. The manufacturing of an Electric Enclosure is governed by a body called National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA). The governing body is also responsible for rating every type of Electric Enclosure.

Types Of Electric Enclosures

With that in mind, let us review eight types of electric enclosures.

NEMA 1 Electrical Enclosure

The list starts with the basic type of an electric enclosure. NEMA 1 is mostly used inside a premise. In other words, it is an indoor cabin.

It is majorly used by the residents of a place due to its cost-effectiveness. The electric enclosure is known for protecting electric appliances from accidental contact and light dust.

NEMA 3 Electrical Enclosure

The usage of the second type of electric enclosure is completely outdoor. It may be considered for indoor usage but the cost aspect makes it much more convenient to put it in a more difficult condition.

It can be left exposed to a bit more extreme weather conditions. These weather conditions include rain and snow. It is also considered to be a perfect fit for outdoor usage as it does not let snow deposit on its surface.

NEMA 4 Electrical Enclosures

It performs well under the extreme monsoon season. The cabinet is waterproof and does not let water enter the cabin. This helps to keep the wires, switches, and plugs safe from getting damaged.

It is mostly put to use by industries that cannot keep it inside the premises. The protective seal keeps it safe from water. The electric enclosure performs well with frequencies and hence, is used to keep equipment that is related to the telephone. This does not disturb the telephone wiring to communicate with the tower.

NEMA 4X Electrical Enclosures

As compared to the model stated above, this one plays well with corrosion. The cabin prevents the formation of water droplets during the days that witness heat and rains.

This helps to keep the electric equipment safe and the box free from corrosion. It also works well against moisture and corrosive chemicals.

NEMA 6 Electrical Enclosures

This serves the purpose of being placed indoors and outdoors. The customer can be carefree after getting it installed on his or her premises, especially during the monsoons.

It can tackle excessive water issues from the outside. Hence, it is widely used for commercial purposes that involve keeping the device underwater. It is also used as the charging station of electric vehicles.

NEMA Type 6P Electric Enclosure

This is an extension of NEMA 6. NEMA Type 6P can be kept underwater for a longer time. The electric equipment and accessories placed inside the cabin will remain safe.

This is a reason why it is widely put to use in caves that are remotely located and mines that are underground. The unique selling point of this electric enclosure is its extra layer that protects the cabin from corrosion.

NEMA 7 Electrical Enclosure

NEMA 7 is majorly placed under dangerous indoor situations. The cabin shows no or less effect after the explosion. Additionally, it maintains the look from the outside as it hardly gets damaged.

The dangerous locations generally include those that deal with highly combustible gases. Having said that, it must be used with precaution and under the recommendation of a professional.

NEMA 12 Electrical Enclosure

Even though this appears at the end of the list, the features that it offers are more similar to the basic electric enclosure.

It can only be placed inside the premises. Keeping it outside the premises would be a huge risk as it does not perform well under extreme weather conditions.

Material Used To Manufacture Electric Enclosure

An Electric Enclosure is manufactured with due care. The materials used are:

Metal

Metal is widely available in the market. The demand for the material makes it very economical for purchase and further usage.

It is of three types namely carbon steel, stainless steel, and aluminum. All types of metal offer high resistance to moisture. This makes them suitable for domestic application. However, a coat of paint must be applied to them before installation. This would protect the material from corrosion. The material is also known to conduct heat with ease. This protects the electrical equipment from getting hot while they are inside the cabin.

Thermoplastics

Termed as the best insulator, it is widely used if the Electric Enclosure is required to be installed at places that are sensitive to temperature.

The ability to resist corrosion and avoid snow deposits makes them a perfect fit for the outdoor installation. One drawback that a customer may notice is that the material cannot be customized before and after the installation.

Fiberglass

Fiberglass, as a material, confuses the customers about its installation. While on one hand it can resist corrosion, on the other hand it can easily get damaged due to stormy weather if placed outside.

The exposure to excessive sunlight is harmful to the material. This makes the electrical equipment and accessories placed inside it prone to damage. It is still preferred by many experts in the industry as it offers resistance to chemicals and has high rigidity as compared to other materials.

Conclusion

An electric enclosure is a sensitive item. The correct type and manufacturing material must be chosen carefully.