Feature

Specifying industrial and commercial electrical enclosures

Selecting electrical enclosures is an integral part of control panel design, and takes account of the components it must house, the environment those components need, the external environment in which the panel is located, and the life of the panel.

28/04/2023 12:57:32

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Equally important – and often overlooked – are flexibility, efficiency, maintenance, and appearance.

High priority needs to be given to the enclosure environment, both internal and external. Here,
the international IP ratings are indispensable and very specific in terms of protections against solids (first digit), with 6 being the highest, signalling complete protection from the entry of
particles such as dust.

The second digit refers to fluid protection, with 8 denoting the enclosure can be completely and continuously submerged. Equally pertinent are IK ratings denoting
impact protection in industrial settings, impact by other equipment being the most common.

All reputable enclosure manufacturers will specify IP and IK ratings and not hide behind terms like
“splashproof” and “rugged”.

The ambient temperature range of the enclosure location needs careful thought, especially with normal seasonal temperatures being exceeded on a frequent basis.

Read the full article in DPA's May issue

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.