How to choose your ideal enclosure

Electrical enclosures are manufactured to offer a protective housing to an electrical or electronic system. At CamdenBoss we design standard ‘off the shelf’ and custom enclosures ensuring environmental compliance and practicality for a variety of applications and industry sectors.

The electronics and electrical industry is estimated to be worth $7.9 billion by 2023. The range of enclosures on offer is growing to meet the increasingly diverse demands of IoT and Industry 4.0 systems.

Some industries, such as networking applications, have created standardised housing styles such as 19” rack enclosures. The shape and size is measured in industry standard ‘U’ heights. Most rack cabinet systems are built around this industry specific standard and therefore this enclosure series has remained relatively untouched. Therefore, legacy type enclosures are just as important as inventing new ways of doings things.

It is important to consider a few different parameters when selecting the type of enclosure and specification required.

The enclosure material is the physical barrier between the PCB and outside world. Plastic enclosures are considerably more lightweight than diecast aluminium housings. They can be more cost effective and are easy to customise, whilst holding a good level of resistance against impact and deterioration from UV rays.  Diecast aluminium enclosures are rugged and offer substantial protection against impact, vibration and corrosion. The heavy-duty construction provides an ideal housing for electronics situated in warehouse environments or in areas where oil and petroleum are present.  Sheet metal enclosures offer the ideal housing for desktop instruments and measuring equipment. They can be easily machined for interconnectivity or to offer ventilation. Extruded aluminium cases have the advantage of being available in custom cut lengths with set height and widths.  Heat-sink fins can be extruded into the case profile allowing heat transfer without the need to cut vents and thus maintaining any relevant IP ratings.

The introduction of connectivity and networking through wireless electronic systems for outdoor applications in cities or remote environments has created a demand for higher IP rated enclosures.

The newest X series range of heavy duty enclosures from CamdenBoss are available in both an ABS and polycarbonate material with either a clear or solid lid option. Both materials have been tested to withstand impact up to IK08 and offer a high level of protection to the electronics housed within.

Ingress protection should be considered depending on environment and the level of dust and water resistance required. Over-specifying can be more costly whilst under-specifying can lead to the enclosure environmental underperformance.

IP67 rated enclosures offer complete protection against dust and immersion in up to 1 meter of water for up to 30 minutes.

IP65/66 rating would be suitable for environments that could incur high levels of dust but do not necessarily have the threat of direct water.

IP54 is the standard across the industry as a good all-round performance level. It provides adequate protection against splashing water ingress from any direction and limited dust ingress to a level that will not cause interference to electronics housed within.

The X series range of enclosures are compliant to IP67 certification. Part of this range, the X8, ensures your internal electronics remain dry and protected from dust and dirt, no matter what environment they will be used in. A foam gasket becomes pressured once the lid is in place and secure, keeping out the elements. Ideally suited to DIN Rail mounted components, they are a flexible solution for machine to machine controls, human interface equipment, or panel built electrical systems in industrial settings. Clear lids are available in hinged and locking formats, providing rugged and hardwearing protection to your equipment. The dual door accessory is designed to allow components such as buttons, display and switches to be mounted directly onto the internal door.

Making the right choice of enclosure at the design stage can help the effectiveness and functionality of your product. CamdenBoss is a market leader when it comes to enclosure design and support.

For further information contact our sales team on 01638 716101