Electrical enclosures may appear unimportant at first look. However, in industries such as telecommunications, IT systems, utilities, and the Internet of Things (IoT), among others, these meticulously built boxes serve a critical role in safeguarding electronics.
Innovative electrical enclosures are more vital than ever as our technology advances at a breakneck rate. Not only can choosing the appropriate enclosure save lives, but it can also save billions of dollars in equipment and running costs.
Design engineers face a difficult task in determining which electrical enclosure is best for their specific application. Electrical enclosures, such as junction boxes, are available in a variety of styles nowadays, which must be carefully evaluated before proceeding with electrical projects.
What kind of electrical enclosures are we talking about? We’ll go through the eight most common forms of electrical enclosures in today’s high-tech environment in this piece.
Nema Types Of Electrical Enclosures
Most people refer to the enclosure types established by the National Electrical Manufacturers Association when discussing the various “types” of electrical enclosures (NEMA).
The North American Electrical Enclosures Manufacturers Association (NEMA) is the group that sets the standards for electrical enclosures in North America. Most manufacturers in the United States design their enclosures to satisfy these requirements in order to increase the safety and dependability of their goods.
NEMA Ratings Have a Purpose
The capacity of an electrical enclosure to tolerate particular conditions and hazards is determined by its NEMA rating. Engineers will be able to select an electrical enclosure with more confidence in its capacity to operate as a result of this.
A utility business putting sensitive electrical equipment outdoors in a coastal setting, for example, may choose a NEMA 4X enclosure to guard against the elements and salt spray corrosion.
The most common NEMA rated electrical enclosures are discussed here, as well as the essential role they play in ensuring product operation and safety.
Electrical Enclosures Nema 1
NEMA Type 1 enclosures are intended for use inside and provide the least level of protection of any NEMA certified enclosure. Light dust, grime, and inadvertent contact with electrical equipment are all protected by these enclosures.
NEMA 1 enclosures are frequently used in a number of industries to house indoor electrical equipment, such as variable-frequency drives put in normal interior settings, despite their inadequate protection.
Considerations for the Enclosure
NEMA Type 1 enclosures are a cost-effective option for protecting expensive electronics and preventing public access to dangerous electrical equipment when installed in non-hazardous situations. Those concerned about excessive moisture in the air may wish to consider a NEMA 2 enclosure, which provides an extra layer of protection against light water droplets.
Another factor to consider is the heat produced by electrical equipment. Overheating produced by a high internal heat load in data centres and IT networking equipment can result in damaged electrical components and operational failure.
To avoid a tragedy like this, design engineers frequently use venting attachments to enable air to travel through the enclosure. Additionally, manufacturers such as Polycase can use CNC machining services to create bespoke cutouts in their enclosures to allow for heat dispersion.
Electrical Enclosures Nema 3
NEMA 3 enclosures can be used both indoors and outside. They are, however, mostly utilised as electrical enclosures for outdoor usage.
This is due to the fact that NEMA 3 enclosures protect against falling dirt, rain, snow, sleet, and the formation of exterior ice. These enclosures can be used as outdoor electrical junction boxes to protect wiring and cables, however they may not be appropriate for harsh weather.
Considerations for the Enclosure
Because Type 3 enclosures have the lowest rating for outdoor electrical enclosures, engineers must carefully evaluate the enclosure’s location and material. ABS plastic enclosures, for example, are known to distort in bright sunlight, putting electrical equipment at danger.
Enclosures made of polycarbonate are long-lasting, cost-effective, and UV-resistant. These characteristics make them a more safer option for outdoor usage in both commercial and industrial settings.
Electrical Enclosures Nema 4
When compared to NEMA 3R enclosures, NEMA 4 enclosures provide more protection against extreme weather conditions. Most significantly, they are waterproof, making them ideal for industrial applications such as safeguarding outdoor wire systems, power systems, and telecommunications equipment that is installed.
There is a major difference between a NEMA 3R weatherproof enclosure and a NEMA 4 waterproof enclosure. NEMA Type 4 enclosures, unlike Type 3 and 3R, provide some protection against splashing and hose-directed water.
The protective seal on the enclosure is another significant distinction between the two kinds. A NEMA 4 enclosure’s gaskets provide a watertight seal, preventing water entry.
Considerations for the Enclosure
The demand for electromagnetic (EMI) and radio frequency interference (RFI) shielding has gradually risen in an era of continual connection. With so many signals in the air at once, it’s critical for design engineers to make sure that their own equipment doesn’t generate or receive interference.
The telecommunications sector makes extensive use of EMI/RFI shielded enclosures. NEMA 4 aluminium enclosures provide a natural degree of interference protection and have several advantages beyond EMI/RFI shielding.
Electrical Enclosures Nema 4x
NEMA 4X provides the same degree of protection as NEMA 4, but with increased corrosion resistance. As a result, these weatherproof electrical boxes are frequently used in environments where there is a lot of moisture, a lot of water spray, and corrosive chemicals.
Corrosion is a typical issue in electrical applications with a lot of moisture. NEMA 4X enclosures are waterproof and can protect sensitive electrical components from moisture.
Considerations for the Enclosure
It may be required to instal wire, cables, or conduit on-site in some cases. Enclosures with knockouts are essential for enabling onsite flexibility in these applications.
Plastic enclosures with knockouts from the Polycase SK Series make onsite cabling and wiring a breeze. The knockouts are simple to remove and don’t require any special tools.
Electrical enclosures with knockouts can assist save time and money when electrical professionals need to make changes on the job. These outdoor electrical boxes have a NEMA 4X classification and are designed to withstand extreme weather conditions, including possible corrosion.
Electrical Enclosures Nema 6
NEMA 6 enclosures are utilised in situations where temporary submersion in water is a possibility. They are designed for both indoor and outdoor usage. Electrical boxes that are waterproof are used in a variety of applications, including electric cars and marine transportation.
Design engineers have nothing to worry about when using a NEMA 6 enclosure. NEMA 6 enclosures defend against moist conditions, falling debris, exterior ice formation, and water infiltration while temporarily immersed, in addition to providing protection against accidental contact with electrical equipment.
Considerations for the Enclosure
NEMA 6 enclosures are widely utilised in power plants and alternative energy applications because they are designed for severe industrial conditions. From tiny, impact-resistant polycarbonate enclosures to bigger enclosures, they’re available in a variety of materials and sizes. buildings made of steel
Electrical Enclosures Nema Type 6p
NEMA 6P enclosures provide the same level of protection as NEMA 6 enclosures, but they may be submerged in water for longer periods of time (thus the “P” in 6P). It also offers additional layer of corrosion resistance.
NEMA 6P enclosures are among the most durable and waterproof enclosures available. Type 6P enclosures are commonly used to house electrical equipment and gadgets in deep mines and isolated caverns due to their capacity to endure severe conditions.
They’re also utilised to protect electrical gadgets in potentially corrosive offshore settings. Chemical cleansers can potentially cause corrosion, necessitating the installation of NEMA 6P enclosures to keep electrical equipment safe.
Considerations for the Enclosure
Because of its numerous appealing characteristics, aluminium is a popular material for NEMA 6P enclosures. Aluminum is the most plentiful metal on the planet, and it’s light, tough, and corrosion-resistant.
In maritime situations, aluminium enclosures are frequently preferred over stainless steel enclosures (which are readily destroyed by corrosion) due to their corrosion resistance. This is due to the fact that salt spray is extremely corrosive and can cause significant damage to electrical equipment.
Electrical Enclosures Nema 7
Indoor hazardous sites categorised as Class 1, Division 1, Groups A, B, C, or D, as specified by NFPA 70, need NEMA Type 7 enclosures. Atmospheres containing inflammable gases in the air that might induce internal explosions are included in these hazardous categories.
Explosion-proof enclosures, such as NEMA 7, are designed to confine explosions without causing damage to the environment. Chemical factories and oil and gas facilities are not immune to explosions.
Considerations for the Enclosure
Diecast aluminium or stainless steel are commonly used in NEMA 7 enclosures. While they aren’t as prevalent as NEMA 4X enclosures, with the growth of the Internet of Things, they are becoming more popular.
NEMA 7 enclosures are being used to safeguard IoT systems in hazardous locations (oilfields, warehouses, etc.) from dust, filth, water, and possible explosions produced by flammable gases.