Feature

Keep electronic projects secure & weatherproof with the right enclosures

For many designers of DIY or prototype projects, once the electronics are laid out, finding a suitable enclosure is often left to the last minute. This may be reasonable if it’s going to be used indoors on a desk or placed on a wall, temporarily. But if the project is intended for use outdoors over long periods, it will quickly succumb to the elements or be damaged, either intentionally or unintentionally, by malicious tampering or idle curiosity.

30/11/2020 14:36:18

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It’s difficult to craft an appropriate enclosure using available materials, and while off-the-shelf enclosures might meet ruggedness requirements, they may be the wrong size, overly vulnerable
to tampering, and lack aesthetics. The latter two can be problematic if the enclosure is going to be on the outside of a home or commercial building.

For small electronic project housings or enclosures that will be placed outside, it’s best to opt for a line of officially IP-68 qualified polycarbonate enclosures that can seal
the electronics effectively against the elements.

This article will discuss the effects of rain, temperature extremes, and sunlight on electronics systems and their enclosures. It will then
describe what IP-68 protection implies before introducing enclosures from Hammond Manufacturing with associated gaskets that meet both physical and aesthetic requirements.

Read the full article in the December issue of DPA

Written By Sophia Bell

Sophia Bell is the Group Editor of DPA, Connectivity, and PBSI. She joined the team in 2020 as Assistant Editor after achieving a First-Class Honours BA in English Literature and Film Studies from the University of East Anglia. In her current role, she leads the editorial strategy, driving digital growth and ensuring each title continues to deliver trusted, relevant insight for engineering and manufacturing professionals.