Leading Electronic Enclosure Manufacturers

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Applications

Electronic enclosures are essential components used to house and protect electronic devices and equipment. Their versatile applications span across various industries and environments, ensuring the safe and reliable operation of electronic components. In industrial settings, robust metal enclosures shield sensitive electronics from dust, moisture, and harsh environmental conditions, safeguarding critical machinery and control systems. In the consumer electronics sector, meanwhile, sleek and aesthetically pleasing plastic enclosures house smartphones, tablets, and smartwatches, providing both protection and user-friendly design. Medical equipment also heavily relies on electronic enclosures to maintain the integrity of delicate medical devices and ensure patient safety. Moreover, in the automotive industry, enclosures protect electronic modules and control units from vibrations, temperature fluctuations, and road debris. Likewise, these enclosures find application in telecommunication infrastructure, shielding networking equipment from weather elements and vandalism. Additionally, electronic enclosures play a vital role in outdoor applications, such as solar power systems and remote sensors, where they safeguard electronics from harsh outdoor conditions.

History

Engineers designed the first electronic enclosures to keep people safe from live electricity coming out of cutouts. Cutouts were switches that consisted of copper bars and an insulated T handle. To use the switch, operators would grasp and pull the T handle. The problem with the cutout, which was mounted onto its surface with bolts or screws, is that its live parts were uncovered. As we know now, live electricity wires are dangerous to humans. To combat this, manufacturers installed the cutouts with wooden cutout boxes. They did the same with switchboards, which were used for connecting phone calls from 1878 to the 1960s.

Wooden enclosures were useful for a time, but eventually they too presented problems. These problems cropped up when electricity moved into the home, between the 1920s and 1930s. Homeowners found that the electrical components inside the cabinets could come loose and overheat, resulting in fires. To combat this, manufacturers switched the wooden cabinets out for cabinets made of flame retardant metals, such as steel cabinets.

Today, electricity has taken us places early inventors like Tesla could have only dreamed of. Along with it have come electronic enclosures. Modern enclosures are made not only as metal electronic enclosures, but also thermoplastic enclosures made from materials that didn’t even exist when engineers started making them. In addition, they are incredibly diverse, shielding electronic devices of all shapes, sizes, and sensitivities. As technology continues to advance, enclosures will only become more important.

Electronic Enclosures – Compac Development Corporation

How It Works

Electronic enclosures serve a crucial role in protecting electronic devices and components from external influences, ensuring their proper functionality and longevity. They work by providing a secure and enclosed environment that shields the sensitive electronics from various elements and potential hazards.

First and foremost, the enclosure’s physical structure acts as a barrier, safeguarding the internal components from dust, moisture, and other contaminants that could potentially cause short circuits or corrosion. Different types of enclosures, such as metal, plastic, or composite materials, offer varying levels of protection based on the specific application’s requirements.

Additionally, electronic enclosures often incorporate features like gaskets, seals, or o-rings to create a tight and reliable seal, preventing the ingress of water, dust, or other foreign particles. These seals are strategically placed at critical access points, such as cable entry points and removable panels, to maintain the enclosure’s integrity.

Thermal management is another vital aspect of electronic enclosures. As electronic components generate heat during operation, the enclosure must dissipate this heat efficiently to prevent overheating and potential component failure. Many enclosures include ventilation options like vents, fans, or heat sinks to facilitate proper airflow and cooling.

Electromagnetic interference (EMI) and radio frequency interference (RFI) shielding are also essential functions of certain electronic enclosures. These enclosures are designed with conductive materials that prevent electromagnetic radiation from escaping and block external interference from affecting the enclosed electronics.

Furthermore, electronic enclosures provide mechanical protection to delicate electronic components, safeguarding them from physical impact and vibrations that could lead to malfunction or damage.

In some cases, electronic enclosures are designed to meet specific industry standards, such as IP (Ingress Protection) ratings or NEMA (National Electrical Manufacturers Association) standards, which define the level of protection provided against various environmental factors.

Overall, electronic enclosures work by combining physical robustness, effective sealing mechanisms, thermal management solutions, and EMI/RFI shielding to create a secure and controlled environment that ensures the reliable operation and longevity of electronic devices and equipment. By offering protection against environmental factors and external influences, electronic enclosures play a critical role in maintaining the performance and integrity of electronic systems across a wide range of applications.

Types

NEMA enclosures are enclosures that have been assigned a grade by the National Electronics Manufacturers Association, or NEMA. NEMA enclosures, regardless of their grade, cannot have any partially punched holes, called knockouts, or openings in general, except those designed for oil and dust-tight mechanisms/gaskets. Additionally, any hinged doors an enclosure has must only be accessible by an opening tool, and they must have an external mounting system. For a safe and properly functioning electronic enclosure, look for a NEMA certification and discuss your specifications with your supplier.

Computer enclosures are enclosures designed to shield computer parts from dust, debris, and EMI. They’re typically made from steel or aluminum, with a layer of an EMI-blocking coating.

Mounted enclosures are enclosures that you can mount using fasteners or self-tapping screws. To accommodate this, they come with holes in the bottom or back. They often house items like wireless connections in warehouses.

Rack mount enclosures are frames with protruding edges or mounting slots, where users can mount electronics. These are common for enclosing large equipment like computer servers and audio equipment. Usually, the frame is made of aluminum or steel, while the enclosure itself is a metal enclosure, layered with reinforced plastic. Often, rack mount enclosures have panels and lockable doors.

Fiberglass enclosures have all the properties of the fiberglass from which they are made, including superior electrical properties, chemical resistance, heat resistance, corrosion resistance, impact resistance, and the ability to endure high tensile loads. Because of these qualities, fiberglass enclosures are popular for use outdoors and in environments where there is a lot of moisture, chemical contact, or corrosive substances.

ABS enclosures are thermoplastic enclosures made from the thermoplastic called acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, or ABS for short. ABS is an excellent electrical insulator, and it is shock absorbent, impact resistant, and lightweight. As such, it is the perfect material for handheld enclosures and enclosures of small pocket devices.

Polycarbonate enclosures are well-suited to cold environments, as they are adept in blocking temperature interference. Because they can be molded, they also work well for applications requiring complex and/or small enclosures.

Stainless steel enclosures are perfect for enclosures for high energy products that sometimes produce too much energy. They are also useful with products like heat exchangers. This is because they can absorb the heat of the energy and keep the components from overheating. Also, they are strong and corrosion resistant.

Aluminum enclosures are strong and durable, but lightweight and castable. Manufacturers extrude aluminum or diecast aluminum in order to make them. These enclosures are also excellent conductors of electricity and heat. Aluminum enclosures are best used in moist indoor environments.

Design and Customization

Production Processes

To make electronic enclosures, manufacturers participate in processes like thermoplastic molding, die casting, and extrusion.

Materials

To make electronic enclosure boxes, manufacturers can use a wide variety of sheet metals and plastics. Some of the most common ones include fiberglass, stainless steel sheet, aluminum sheet, and high strength plastics like ABS and Kevlar.

When selecting a material, electronic enclosure manufacturers think about their properties, such as durability, thermal insulation, thermal transfer, thermal management, corrosion resistance, vibration dampening, security, etc. Every application is different, but the right material for any given application will protect the electronic product from intrusion, heat and cold, moisture, and any environment-related risks (explosion, vibration, weight, vandalism, etc.).

Considerations and Customization

One of the first aspects of your application that manufacturers think about is what exactly you’re trying to protect your electronics from. Common focuses of electronic instrument enclosures include impact shielding, heat shielding, static shielding, magnetic shielding, and dirt and waterproofing.

Impact shielding, or shock shielding, is all about protecting electronic components from jarring, vibration, and damage from drops, crashes, etc. Impact shielding is important because it keeps fragile electronic components from breaking or becoming inefficient.

Heat shielding is important for any electrical components through which electricity passes. This is because, as currents move through equipment, they generate heat. In addition, electrical components that are susceptible to heat coming in from the outside need this type of shielding. Heat shielding keeps equipment efficient and healthy by absorbing, reflecting, or dissipating that heat.

Static shielding includes external electrostatic discharge (ESD) shielding, EMI (electromagnetic interference) shielding, RF (radio frequency electromagnetic radiation) shielding, and protection from electrical surges and sudden charge changes. This type of shielding is super important to many different electronic instruments, including cell phones, cables, microwaves, lab equipment, medical equipment, computers, broadcasting systems and more.

Magnetic shielding focuses on shielding materials from external magnetic forces. Magnetic shields usually work by drawing the magnetic field into themselves, so that they have somewhere to go, but they do not actually penetrate the shield.

Dirt and waterproofing is a more tangible type of shielding. Shields focused on dirt and waterproofing keep electrical components safe from damage by environmental threats, like rain sleet snow varieties, dirt and dust. This type of shielding is important because it prevents malfunctions.

To get started, manufacturers must determine which one or ones apply to you. In addition to considering the things from which your enclosure must protect your electronics, manufacturers also consider the degree of protection required, mounting security, your budget, and the aesthetics, or how you want your enclosure to look.

Also, they think about the actual shape and size of your electronic item(s). Enclosures can be as small as a fingernail or as large as a room. Usually, manufacturers make rectangular box enclosures, but they can also make custom plastic enclosures and custom metal enclosures with unique shapes for you. They can also add locking mechanisms for security, ventilation fans for temperature regulation, custom access points, lids, lap joints for watertight seals, removable panels, access points, recessed tops for keypads or labels and much more. Learn what an individual electrical enclosure manufacturer can offer you by talking over your application with them.

Benefits

Electronic enclosures offer a myriad of benefits that enhance the performance, reliability, and safety of electronic devices and equipment across various industries. First, these enclosures protect sensitive electronic components from external elements such as dust, moisture, and debris, shielding them from potential damage and ensuring prolonged operational life. By providing a robust physical barrier, electronic enclosures guard against accidental impact, vibrations, and rough handling, safeguarding the delicate electronics within and reducing the risk of costly repairs or replacements.

Moreover, electronic enclosures facilitate efficient thermal management, dissipating heat generated by electronic components during operation. By incorporating ventilation options, heat sinks, or fans, these enclosures prevent overheating, maintaining optimal temperature levels and preventing performance degradation or component failure.

Another crucial benefit of electronic enclosures is the ability to shield electronics from electromagnetic interference (EMI) and radio frequency interference (RFI). These enclosures use conductive materials to contain electromagnetic radiation and prevent external interference from disrupting the sensitive electronics, thereby ensuring proper functionality and signal integrity.

Electronic enclosures also contribute to compliance with industry standards and regulations. Enclosures designed to meet IP ratings or NEMA standards demonstrate the level of protection against environmental factors, enabling businesses to adhere to safety and quality guidelines and assuring customers of the product’s reliability.

Furthermore, electronic enclosures aid in design flexibility and customization. Manufacturers can create enclosures tailored to specific device requirements, incorporating features like mounting brackets, cable management, and access points, resulting in efficient use of space and improved user experience.

Moreover, these sleek and aesthetically pleasing enclosures often enhance a product’s overall appearance and user appeal, contributing to a positive brand image and customer satisfaction. Finally, for industrial applications, these rugged and durable enclosures withstand harsh environments and promote the longevity of essential equipment and machinery.

Overall, electronic enclosures offer a comprehensive array of benefits, including protection from external elements, efficient thermal management, EMI/RFI shielding, compliance with standards, design flexibility, and improved aesthetics. By providing these advantages, electronic enclosures play a pivotal role in ensuring the reliability, safety, and performance of electronic devices in diverse industries and applications.

Safety and Compliance Standards

In the United States, the gold standard is NEMA type. Meanwhile, those countries that are members of the IEC (International Electrotechnical Commission) should look to IEC 60529. IEC 60529 offers enclosure classifications called IP codes, or ingress protection ratings.

Nema Types

An enclosure NEMA type is the grade assigned to an enclosure by the National Electronic Manufacturers Association.

Grades range from Type 1 to Type 13. These grades identify characteristics like whether an enclosure is meant for indoor or outdoor use, whether or not it is appropriate for hazardous or dangerous settings and from what it can protect an electronic system or wiring. It’s important to study and understand these gradings. For example, Type 1 enclosures are made for general indoor use and shielding humans from accidentally touching the enclosed equipment. You wouldn’t want to buy a Type 1 enclosure for a backyard project.

Type 4X enclosures, on the other hand, may be used both indoors and outdoors. They protect the enclosed equipment from corrosion and elements like snow, rain, windblown dust, ice, and sleet. Finally, Type 12 is for industrial indoor usage to shield sensitive electrical parts from dust, dirt, lint, and dripping and seepage of non-corrosive liquids.

Finding the Right Manufacturer

To get the right enclosure for you, you need to partner with a high-quality manufacturer that understands your needs and puts them first. Find a manufacturer like that by checking out those we have listed on this page. Each of them has something different to offer. Figure out which one is right for you by browsing their profiles and websites, then reaching out. We recommend you pick three or four to speak with, based on their advertised services. To focus your search, you should take the time to write down your specifications, questions, and concerns. Once you’ve spoken with each manufacturer you’re interested in, compare and contrast your conversations. Consider the services they offered, their price tag, and their secondary services like post-delivery support, and choose the best one for you. Good luck!