Wall mount electrical enclosures are a class of electrical cabinets which are used to house electrical equipment such as instrumentation, electrical switch gear and pilot devices. Available in a variety of off-the-shelf sizes, specialist enclosure manufacturers can also manufacture custom sizes of electrical enclosures.
Electrical enclosures: This article will address the different types of wall mount enclosures, the methods used in fabricating and their uses.
For safety considerations, electrical enclosures have to meet safety standards. In the USA, these standards are set and administered by two major organizations:
● NEMA – is the National Electrical Manufacturers Association, a professional association for electrical equipment manufacturers.
● UL– Underwriters Laboratories, who are a safety consulting and equipment certification group.
Types of wall mount electrical enclosures:
When it comes to specifying electrical enclosures, the intended application of the enclosure is important. The different types of wall mount enclosures include the following:
● Single door enclosure.
● Double door enclosure.
● Single or double door enclosure with integrated rain hood.
Enclosures are made from different materials, with polycarbonate enclosures ideal for wall mounting due to their light weight.
Standard wall mount enclosure specification
Different materials are used in the construction of standard wall mount electrical enclosures. The most common materials include:
● Stainless steel
● Sheet steel.
● Carbon steel.
● Aluminium.
● Rigid plastics such as GRP (glass reinforced polyester).
● Polycarbonate.
The operating environment and application of the enclosure will determine the choice of material. For example, stainless steel is suitable for electrical enclosures in harsh and hazardous environments., while GRP is UV resistant and has high tensile strength and is suitable for outdoor use. Other features include:
● Door seals to protect against water ingress.
● Continuous, concealed hinge for increased security.
● ¼ turn latches for easy enclosure access.
● Powder coating on back panel for switchgear or electronics mounting.
● Print pocket for electrical schematics and manuals.
● Grounding per UL508A as standard for metallic enclosures.
● Mounting brackets and lifting eyelets.
Wall mount enclosure fabrication
Most enclosures come with continuous hinge with a removable hinge pin. Common metal thicknesses of 12, 14 and 16 gauge Type 304 or 316L stainless are used in the custom metal fabrication of wall mount enclosures. Laser-cut stainless steel panels are formed into required shape and the seams welded utilizing specialized welding techniques. Laser cut entries or cut-outs are also common features of most enclosures. Grounding studs are provided inside the cabinet, with wall mounting feet and watertight gaskets provided (depending on UL or NEMA type of enclosure). Powder coating is also an option for the different types of wall mount enclosures.