Enclosures & Accessories

The enclosure is a cabinet for electrical or electronic equipment to mount switches, knobs and displays, to prevent electrical shock to equipment users and protect the contents from the environment. The enclosure is the only part of the equipment which is seen by users. Regulations may dictate the features and performance of enclosures for electrical equipment in hazardous areas, such as petrochemical plants or coal mines. Electronic packaging may place many demands on an enclosure for heat dissipation, radio frequency interference and electrostatic discharge protection. It houses all kinds of electrical components, from simple terminal blocks, to industrial automation systems, to high voltage switchgear. In industrial automation systems, enclosures often house motor controls, drives, PLC/PC control systems, pushbuttons and termination systems. Some enclosures are configured to be operator consoles, while others are designed with flanges for mounting disconnects.

Enclosures are made from rigid plastics, metals, particularly stainless steel, carbon steel and aluminum. Steel cabinets may be painted or galvanized. Each type of enclosure is described on the basis of IEC, NEMA and UL standards for its functionality, such as Flame proof, Ingress Protection, Dustproof, Weather resistant etc. They specify what an enclosure must do, not how to manufacture it. There is a wide range of mounting accessories for enclosures, busbar accessories to manage and distribute power inside the enclosure, data access ports, safety lock-outs and electrical interlock devices for electrical safety.