Key considerations have to be thought through when specifying an enclosure for electrical installation.
HellermannTyton offer a vast range of enclosures for this purpose. High quality materials are used to ensure the installation fulfills even the highest safety requirements.
Materials of the enclosures can be split into two main groups; steel enclosures and plastic enclosures. Each of these respective groups have sub-groups i.e. plastic lists materials such as GRP, polycarbonate or polyester, while steel can be mild steel or even stainless steel.
To help choose the right enclosure for your application many factors have to be considered:
The range of plastic enclosures includes GRP (Glass Reinforced Polyester), PVC (Poly Vinyl Chloride), ABS and Polyester with IP ratings from IP65 to IP66. To compliment the enclosures we offer a full range of accessories including locks, mounting plates, adjustable brackets, wall fixing kits and external hinges.
BRES - IP66 range of heat moulded enclosures made from reinforced polyester and 30% glass fibre in RAL7035.
NSYPLMG - IP66 range of wall mounted enclosures made from polyester reinforced with fiberglass, moulded by hot compression in RAL7035 grey.
NSYPLAG - IP 65 range of floor standing enclosures made from polyester reinforced with fiberglass mounded by hot compression in RAL7035.
CA - IP66 polyester/polycarbonate modular enclosures with clear or opaque lid., with reinforced polyester base in RAL7035.
NSYPLSG - IP65 polyester/polycarbonate modular boxes with transparent lid and also available with opaque lid.
NSYTBS - IP66 ABS industrial boxes with opaque or transparent lid. RAL7035 grey epoxy paint.
NSYTBP - IP66 Industrial boxes made of polycarbonate and coated in RAL7035 grey epoxy paint.
Junction boxes and mounting plates - we offer a range of halogen free polycarbonate junction boxes together with adaptable boxes with opaque lids and also a range of accessories.
Our Light Range of junction boxes with opaque lids include supports for installation of DIN rail and mounting plates, to IK07. Versions with pre-moulded cable entries or transparent lids are also available on request, please ask our customer service department.
Our A range of adaptable boxes with opaque lids are halogen free with stepped glands and pres-fit lids in RAL7035. The AS and ASH range are double insulated and to IK08 in RAL7035.
The PB range of mounting plates are for use with our AS and ASH range of junction boxes.
Distribution boards - Made from RAL 7035 polycarbonate with a smoked transparent window.
Panel instrument cases - offering a range of panel instrument cases with front panel, transparent cover or lockable. Accessories range from transparent doors, fixing clamps to filter screen.
The range of steel enclosures covers Mild Steel enclosures made from a continuous length of sheet steel to Stainless Steel enclosures suitable for corrosive environments.
This is the most widely used materials for general purpose enclosures and is generally regarded as the most cost effective. Mild steel is an ideal material for fabrication, hole punching and forming and is easily welded to form permanent bonds. The downside to mild steel is that it offers little in the way of corrosion resistance making it largely unsuitable for outdoor applications or installation in a corrosive environment.
NSYCRN - Mild steel wall mounted enclosures made from a continuous length of sheet steel. Both internally and externally protected with texturized polyester epoxy resin RAL7035 grey paint. IP66 and IK10 rated.
HT Enclosures - Mild steel wall mounted enclosures the HT range are made from a continuous length of sheet steel. Both internally and externally protected with texturized polyester eposy resin RAL7035 grey paint. This range of enclosure comes complete with mounting plate as standard.
ATEX Enclosure - Group 1 ATEX mild steel enclosure. Both internally and externally protected with texturised polyester epoxy resin RAL7035.
NSYSM Enclosure - IP55 Mild steel floor standing enclosure made from one continuous piece metal sheet. Complete with mounting plate. Accessories are also available including locks and plinths.
NSYSBM - IP66 Mild steel industrial box with a plain lid, with a polyester powder finish in RAL7035. Ideal for use in a wide range of industrial machines and building functions.
NSYD - mild steel junction box, both internally and externally protected with texturised polyester epoxy resin RAL7035 grey paint.
Stainless steel is capable of withstanding more aggressive environments and can provide a suitable solution for outdoor applications. In some applications such as food manufacturing, food processing and pharmaceutical production it offers additional hygiene, cleanliness and corrosion resistance.
NSYS3X - IP66 range of Grade 304 stainless steel wall mounted enclosures are suitable for corrosive environments and installations requiring strict hygiene.
We can supply a range of thermal management products which compliment the range of enclosures that we supply from filter fans to thermostats, heaters and corrosion inhibitors.
XTALFA - filter fans for use in applications where the external temperature is lower than the desired temperature inside the enclosure.
XTTH - Compact thermostats for din rail mounting to control ventilation and heating devices.
XTSHT - range of enclosure heaters which are designed to prevent failures or corrosion caused by low temperature or high humidity inside the enclosure available in 25W, 50W, 75W and 100W
VC Vapour Capsules - Anti corrosion vapour capsules with adhesive backing offering protection against rust in sensitive areas, such as enclosures containing ferrous and non-ferrous metal components.
Material Overview:
Many different attributes will affect an enclosures performance therefore when selecting the correct enclosure the type of material is a key element in ensuring the long life of the enclosure. The range of materials we have available vary but the most common materials are:
GRP (Glass Reinforced Polyester) - the mechanical properties of GRP include good insulation, strength, hardness and stability over a wide temperature range. GRP is also resistant to mineral acids, oxidants and reducing agents, neutral and acid solutions, greases, oils and some alcohols. It also offers an electrical advantage in that, as an excellent insulator it can offer protection from electric shock. When exposed to flame it is self extinguishing. Some GRP enclosures are halogen free so are ideal for use in areas where public safety is paramount. Contact with methyl alcohol, alkaline solutions, gaseous ammonia and its solution should be avoided.
ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene) - usually produced in the same design as polycarbonate enclosures, ABS is a cheaper material with characteristics similar to polycarbonate but not suitable for such extremes of temperatures and having a lower impact strength. ABS and polycarbonate may be combined offering an enclosure with an ABS base and a polycarbonate lid. When exposed to flame, it is not necessarily self-extinguishing.
PVC (Poly Vinyl Chloride) this is used for moulding small plastic boxes. It has excellent resistance to mineral acids, alkalis and detergents. Resistance to alcohol-based solvents is good but poor to ketones and hydrocarbons. Although it is a self-extinguishing material, PVC does give off toxic and corrosive gases when burned. It has a low UV resistance and can be brittle.
Mild Steel - this is the most widely used material for general purpose enclosures and is generally regarded as the most cost effective. Mild steel is an ideal material for fabrications, hole punching and forming and is easily welded to form permanent bonds. The downside is it offers little in the way of corrosion resistance making it unsuitable for outdoor applications or installations in a corrosive environment.
Stainless Steel - is capable of withstanding more aggressive environments and can provide a suitable solution for outdoor applications. In food manufacturing, food processing and pharmaceutical production it offers additional benefits and is commonly used where hygiene, cleanliness and corrosion resistance are important. It is important to get the correct grade of stainless steel.
Environmental Overview:
Like the material the environmental issues play a big part in what type of enclosure you choose, therefore careful consideration must be taken when deciding the environmental elements:
Outdoors - when an enclosure is used outdoors consideration must be given to the prevailing weather conditions and extremes of temperature. These conditions will determine choice of material and accessories, for example, canopies, heaters, vents and therefore thermal management systems, and special finishes like anti-condensation paint.
The Cooling effect - a standard enclosure will probably allow rainfall to run around the outside of various gasketed areas. If the internal temperature is reduced rapidly, the pressure inside a high IP rated enclosure may be significantly lower than the ambient pressure outside, thereby inducing a suction effect through the gasketed areas. This could result in moisture around the gaskets being drawn into the enclosure. This can be avoided by reducing the number of gasketed areas in contact with the rain by choosing an enclosure with gutters and/or fitting a rain hood.
Condensation - is often mistaken for water ingress. It is caused by a difference in temperature between the inner and outer surfaces of an enclosure and normally forms on the same side as the prevailing wind. Apart from water lying in the bottom of the enclosure, moisture may condense on the components causing electrical 'leakage' and 'tracking' as well as component corrosion and degradation of insulation. The best solution is to fit heaters, controlled ventilation or use anti-condensation paint.
UV Protection - UV stabilizers are added to polycarbonate to help protect the material from the effects of exposure to the sun. Radiation from the sun, especially in the UV portion of the spectrum, degrades the properties of polycarbonate which could cause warping or discolouration. The addition of UV stabilizers allows the material to sustain exposure to the sun for a longer period of time.
Corrosive Environments - certain applications will need protection from chemicals and the selection of the right material is determined by the chemical involved. It is also important to remember that the components within the enclosure may also need protecting, for example, protection from harmful gases.
Marine, Coastal and Off-shore - coastal external applications can usually be covered by referring to the previous 'outdoors' element of this section but paying particular attention to the treatments or materials chosen to address the extra corrosion likely from the salt laden atmosphere.
Hose-down areas - enclosures in these areas are usually in processing plants where the environment is subject to special regulations. The enclosures chosen are usually free of surface treatment to avoid contamination, for example, by paint flakes entering the production process. In most cases users choose stainless steel which have few external features, for ease of cleaning. Various non-metallic products offer the same benefits but a stainless steel enclosure will maintain the best appearance.
Q. I need an enclosure that has to go outdoors but it will be in an open atmosphere and also very strong
sunlight, what range should I choose?
You would choose any of our plastic enclosures which are resistant against rusting and corrosion by chemical or atmospheric agents such as sunlight. We do wall mounted enclosures and floor standing both with a range of accessories to suit, and you can also use these enclosures indoors.
Q. Do I have to buy a mounting plate to go with your range of enclosures, or do they come with a
mounting plate included?
Depending whether you want a wall mounted enclosure or floor standing enclosure, our HT and HTT (with glazed door) range of mild steel wall mounted enclosures come complete with mounting plate. Or our NSYSM range of mild steel floor standing enclosures also come complete with a mounting plate.
All other enclosures in our range do not come complete with a mounting plate, it has to be purchased separately.
Q. I have an enclosure that contains metal components and the components are going rusty do
you have a solution to prevent this happening?
Yes we supply anti-corrosion vapour capsules with adhesive backing offering protection against rust in sensitive areas. We do 3 types depending on the volume and radius of protection plus the duration of protection needed, they are called Zerust Vapour Capsules VC1-1, VC2-1 and VC2-2.
We also stock a wide range of Thermal Management products i.e. fans, filters, thermostats and heaters.
Q. I need an enclosure that has atmospheric classification do you supply such a range?
Yes we supply a Group 1 ATEX mild steel range which are both internally and externally protected with texturized polyester epoxy resin RAL7035 grey paint.
Q. I don’t understand the IP ratings how do they work?
The IP ratings are made up of two numerals.
The first numeral is for PROTECTION AGAINST SOLID BODIES – 6 being the highest
The second numeral is for PROTECTION AGAINST LIQUIDS – 8 being the highest
Depending on the severity of protection you need the higher the numbers the more protection from solid bodies and against liquids i.e. IP68 would be the highest.
There is also a third numeral which is the IK rating which is MECHANICAL PROTECTION, again the higher the number the higher the mechanical protection against impact – 10 being the highest.
Q. What is the difference between your PLM range and your PLMG range?
The letter G on the end of the PLMG means it is the new colour RAL7035 grey which was introduced in 2016.
Q. I want to put a switch into the front door of my enclosure, will the IP rating stay the same?
No any modifications to an enclosure will reduce the IP rating.
Q. I need an enclosure that can be used indoors in strict hygiene environments, do you
supply such a product?
Yes our stainless steel range of wall mounted enclosures NSYS3X would be ideal for use in the chemical, petrochemical and food industries.