Electronic Enclosures Industry Information
IQS Newsroom Articles on Electronic Enclosures
Electronic enclosures house a wide range of electronic
equipment. They are a standard component in most industrial settings.
These enclosures protect electrical and electronic components from moisture,
chemicals and dust, which can damage the equipment permanently. Electronic
enclosures are typically box-shaped and often have removable panels or
doors to provide the easy access needed for maintenance and equipment
modifications. The temperature and humidity within an electronic enclosure
may also be controlled. Electronic enclosure manufacturers can produce
electric enclosures as small as a pushbutton enclosure, which simply
protects the surrounding area and wiring of a electrical push button,
or as large as a room in which is housed large, sensitive computer networks
and wiring. Wiring itself often needs to be enclosed in a protective
enclosure, especially at the connection points of two or more types of
wire or from the wire to the main equipment. These types of enclosures
are called junction or terminal boxes.
The housing material used by electronic enclosure manufacturers is generally
made from sheet
metal, such as stainless steel or aluminum. However,
other materials, such as fiberglass, high strength polymer plastics and
other composites are also used, especially for portable devices. These
materials are lighter weight and more durable than steel. Materials should
be chosen for the desired properties of electrical, thermal and fire
resistance and strength. Electronic enclosures can be coated with a substance
that protects the internal equipment from EMI, which stands for "electromagnetic
interference." This type of extra protection is necessary for sensitive
electronic equipment in which EMI would disrupt efficient performance
of the circuitry inside the equipment.
Electronic enclosures are made available by electronic enclosure manufacturers
for portable devices, as well. There are two basic sizes of portable
devices: pocket and handheld. Pocket boxes measure no more than two or
three inches and typically house a single board and components. Pocket
enclosures offer several different types of accessories, including body
clips, keypads, key rings and buttons. Handheld enclosures measure between
six and 11 inches and house larger components than pocket enclosures
and multiple boards. Handheld boxes offer a wide variety of accessories
and can easily accommodate cable glands, display areas, separate battery
compartments and recesses for membrane keypads or product labels. Both
handheld and pocket enclosures are usually made of ABS (acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene)
plastic.
Customized enclosures are commonplace in many industries, such as the
medical, automotive and agricultural industries. Electronic enclosures
should be an integral part of the design and should be considered early
in the process, rather than near the end, to prevent problems or critical
failures. Factors to consider when selecting an appropriate enclosure
include size, NEMA type, materials of construction, mounting and security.
The enclosure size is determined by the dimensions of the equipment that
the electronic enclosure will house, as well as other factors, such as
service connections, equipment mounting, internal and external access,
thermal limitations, maintenance, economics and future expansion. The
NEMA type selected depends on the environment of the application. Materials
for enclosures should meet corrosion and strength requirements. Mounting
methods for electronic enclosures include floor standing and pole-, wall-
and pedestal-mounting. Padlock hasps, locking latches, key locks, fiberglass
latches, wing-knobs and screw covers provide security for the enclosure.