Things to Keep in Mind While Buying Panel Enclosures

Panel enclosures house and protect electronic and electrical components from the environment and accidental contact. With an almost endless variety of enclosures to choose from, this article will guide you on how to get the right cabinet for your application. 

Here are a few things you will need to keep in mind.

Environment

Placement of your enclosure is the most important considerations to be made while determining which enclosure type will work best for you and your application. All panel cabinets have different needs based on its location and its vulnerability.

The environment plays an essential role in determining which material is suitable for the enclosure. Stainless Steel panel enclosures are ideal for harsh applications due to their high corrosion resistance while 316 stainless steel will be more resistant to chlorine and salts, so it is suitable for marine applications.

Cost-effective solutions are going to be fibreglass and polycarbonate enclosures. They have a high strength to weight ratio and are more straightforward to modify in the field than their steel counterparts.

Once you have figured out the risks to your equipment you can use NEMA ratings as a guide to determine which type of cabinet will withstand the environment it’s placed in.

Weight

If you are looking to mount the them on walls, then go for polycarbonate one as it weighs less and provides high durability. You can go for stainless steel if you are going to install the cabinets on the ground.

Enclosure size

The size of your enclosure will impact which type of material will work effectively. Materials like polycarbonate are typically used for smaller enclosures while steel is a popular option for large cabinets.

Thermal Management

If your electrical cabinet is exposed to excessive heat loads, then it can cause problems to your electrical equipment as too much heat can lead to system failures and premature equipment break down.

Always purchase the enclosures by keeping the cooling factor in mind as it will save you from costs down the road if you allow for easy modification. 

Modifications

Some enclosures are easily modified to suit the specific needs of consumers or Original Equipment Manufacturers. If you are looking to modify the enclosure, ensure that cabinet is a perfect fit for your application and construct it with a material that allows for easy fitting and cutting of holes for wiring components.

Budget

Many materials meet the requirements you need for your electrical cabinet, but the price also influences your decision. Some strong materials are affordable when in a smaller size, but when you need large enclosures it can become quite expensive. It all depends on your choice, the expensive material for enclosures is aluminium, and the cheapest is carbon steel.

Always decide your budget before investing your capital on enclosures.

If you are looking for the best panel enclosures in India, then contact Integra Engineering. They have a wide variety of enclosures to choose from. Just contact them to know more.