Exploring Electrical Enclosures: Types, Functions & Benefits

Introduction

Electrical enclosures are boxes that protect electrical and electronic components from dust, moisture, heat, and physical harm. They are used in many different applications that require housing and protection for electrical equipment. It provides a secure, waterproof environment for electrical components while also preventing unauthorized access. Here, we take a deeper look at electrical enclosures and their applications.

What Are Electrical Enclosures?

Electrical enclosures are an essential component of power distribution and control systems. To help you understand them better, we shall first define them.

Electrical enclosures are physical barriers in the form of cabinets, boxes, or racks that store electrical components such as switches, relays, circuit breakers, PLCs, and communication devices. Their primary goal is to protect both the equipment inside and the individuals who come into contact with or operate near the system.

Electrical equipment enclosures come in a variety of sizes, ranging from small handheld enclosures to wall-mounted boxes and massive floor-standing enclosures.Metal, plastic, and fibreglass are some of the materials used to make enclosures. You can also buy them ready-made, or have them custom-designed and produced to your specifications.

Why Do You Need an Electrical Enclosure?

Now that you understand what electrical enclosure boxes are, let’s look at why they’re essential. An electrical equipment enclosure may be necessary for a variety of reasons, including:

Protect the electrical components from the outside environment.
Allow you to mount electrical components.
Improve the aesthetics of an installation.
Provide security for electrical components.
Help to prevent unauthorised entry.
Help reduce noise pollution and electromagnetic interference (EMI).

Electrical Enclosure Types

Different types of electrical enclosures are classed according to their function, material, mounting options, and characteristics. Here’s a rundown of the most common enclosures, their features, and optimum applications.

Wall-mounted enclosure: These are the most basic enclosures. They are mostly employed in compact, low-power applications.
Floor-Mounted Enclosure: These enclosures are larger than wall-mounted boxes and are commonly employed in more complicated applications.
Pole mount enclosure: Pole-mounted electrical enclosures are utilised when the enclosure cannot be positioned on a wall or floor. They are frequently utilised outdoors in public locations
Surface mount enclosure: These enclosures are often installed on the face of a wall or other surface.
Flush Mount Enclosure: Flush-mount electrical enclosures are attached to the wall structure such that they are flush with the surface.
Free Standing Enclosure: Free-standing electrical enclosures are designed to stand on their own and provide mobility.
Metal electrical enclosure: Metal enclosures are sturdy and resilient, making them suitable for use in tough settings.
Plastic Enclosure: Plastic enclosures are lighter than metal enclosures, making them more convenient to install.
Fibreglass Enclosure: Fibreglass enclosures are inexpensive but sturdy and long-lasting. These are suited for usage in tough conditions.
Custom enclosures: A ready-made enclosure made just for a specific company’s need.

Enclosure Applications

The goal of electrical enclosures is to shield electrical components from water, dust, oil, and other pollutants that could harm sensitive electrical equipment. In outdoor applications, these housings defend against harsh weather conditions, such as high winds and hail.

Common applications for electrical enclosure cabinets or boxes include housing circuit breakers, switches, and other electrical components in both indoor and outdoor environments.

Enclosures are commonly found in several industries, including telecommunications, oil & gas, transportation, and power generation. They are also employed in residential and commercial settings, including residences, office buildings, and retail businesses.

These items are widely utilized in industrial settings such as factory floors, process control rooms, and machine shops.

Conclusion

Enclosures are vital components of electrical systems. They provide a safe and secure environment for electrical components, shielding them from the elements. Whether you need an indoor or outdoor electrical enclosure, selecting the correct enclosure for your application is crucial to your system’s safety and efficiency.

As an ABB Value Partner, we offer different types of ABB enclosures.

FAQs

Electrical enclosures protect components from dust, moisture, and physical damage, provide security against unauthorized access, improve installation aesthetics, and reduce noise and electromagnetic interference.

Electrical enclosures are widely used in industries such as telecommunications, oil & gas, transportation, and power generation, as well as in residential and commercial buildings to house circuit breakers, switches, and other electrical components.