April 13, 2020
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1. Control Boxes
Electrical control boxes are a key part of the industrial workplace. These enclosures protect control devices connected to important equipment, such as:- Programmable logic controllers that control the operation of heavy machinery
- Hydraulic controllers that monitor and adjust the flow of fluid throughout hydraulic equipment
- A/V controllers that control lighting and audio equipment
- Security controls that set up, activate and deactivate security systems
- Utility boxes that control the operation of local electrical systems
- Irrigation timers that automatically turn sprinklers on and off on a schedule
In order for this crucial equipment to function correctly, control devices must be thoroughly protected by an outdoor electrical enclosure. An outdoor enclosure protects key components of control devices against hazardous environmental conditions that can cause potentially devastating equipment failure.Polycase offers numerous outdoor electrical enclosure models that are popular as control boxes. Our SA Series are stainless steel enclosures that are ideal for control boxes, thanks to their rugged construction and lockable enclosure design, while our ZH Series of polycarbonate locking outdoor enclosures feature a hinged lid design that offers quick and easy access to internal components. 2. Junction Boxes
Junction boxes are used to protect electrical equipment in nearly every industry. A junction box is designed to house the connections that join multiple elements of an electrical system together and protect them from environmental hazards. Junction boxes play a critical role in protecting sensitive electrical equipment, and they also allow electricians to easily access electrical connections when troubleshooting issues. Remember that junction boxes typically need a cover to protect their components, and that open junction boxes are a fire code violation in most jurisdictions (not to mention a poor choice for outdoor applications).
Often, a junction box will house connections that are part of an electrical conduit or thermoplastic cable (TPS) system. Thus, when designing a junction box, electrical engineers need to account for the points at which cable raceways will enter and exit the enclosure. Polycase’s outdoor electrical enclosures offer easy solutions for this challenge, including our Polycase SK Series of polycarbonate enclosures that come with built-in knockouts. Polycase also offers our customized enclosure service that makes it easy to get the perfect custom cutouts on your junction box.3. Telecommunications Equipment
So many things in our world require access to high-speed wireless data that it’s become imperative to deploy telecom equipment in all kinds of settings in which it’s subjected to extreme conditions. The worse the conditions, the tougher the enclosure needs to be, which is why rugged outdoor electrical enclosures are recommended for telecom equipment. Equipment for both landline telephone services and outdoor Wi-Fi is often secured via outdoor electrical enclosures. Non-metallic enclosure models, such as polycarbonate enclosures, are a preferred solution for these applications since they allow unimpeded signal transmission (unlike many types of metallic enclosures, which can reduce or block the transmission of RFI signals).
With the coming introduction of 5G broadband, it will become even more imperative to keep telecommunications equipment secure and protected. 5G requires the installation of a reliable network of numerous strategically placed small-cell antennas in pole-mounted enclosures to achieve its highly-touted speed. These antennas need to be protected by durable outdoor electrical enclosures, preferably polycarbonate enclosure models such as the Polycase ZH Series. Polycase also offers pole mounted enclosure kits that make it a snap to attach a telecom equipment enclosure to a utility pole. 4. Automation Sensors
Automation, both simple and advanced, is another key component of many industries today. Automation sensors are the devices that make automation work, using components such as photodetector eyes, vibration sensors and pressure sensors to monitor and relay data to a network. Automation sensors are often used to perform tasks such as:- Monitoring for hazardous conditions in the work environment
- Checking production lines for quality control
- Monitoring the status of equipment to prevent breakdowns
- Gathering data for task optimization
- Monitoring input and stock levels so supplies can be automatically re-ordered
Automation sensors are also often highly sensitive to environmental hazards such as splashing water and windblown debris, which means that it’s important to choose an enclosure that can protect them. Outdoor electrical enclosures such as the Polycase ML Series are an ideal choice for protecting these often-small but vitally important sensors. 5. Wastewater Processing Equipment
Wastewater processing is a challenging job that’s essential for the functioning of a healthy society. Water treatment facilities use electronic instruments and controls to operate their equipment, and the devices used in wastewater processing must be protected by sturdy waterproof enclosures that can stand up to substantial environmental hazards. Outdoor electrical enclosures for wastewater processing typically need to include features such as:- Resistance to water ingress from pressurized hose-downs
- Resistance to corrosion from water and cleaning chemicals
- Resistance to everyday splashing and dripping liquids
- Resistance to prolonged submersion (in some cases)
Enclosure buyers will find these features in outdoor electrical enclosure models such as the Polycase ML Series. These NEMA 6P-rated enclosures are designed for the ultimate in rugged protection, even against prolonged submersion. Water treatment professionals can depend on the ML Series to protect their most vital equipment. 6. Scientific Instruments
Scientific instruments are often used to collect data in some of the Earth’s most remote and challenging locations. Forests, swamps, deserts, tundra and coastlines can all challenge an enclosure’s structural integrity in different ways, including:- Spraying of water and mud
- Prolonged exposure to sunlight
- Partial and/or complete submersion in salt or fresh water
- Extreme levels of windblown dust and other particulate matter
- Formation of ice on the exterior of the enclosure
7. Chemical Injection Pumps
Chemical injection pumps are used extensively within the oil and gas industry to inject various chemicals into pipelines and wells. They may carry many different substances, including defoamers, corrosion protectants and emulsifiers. These substances help pipelines and wells perform critical functions, so it’s important that the pump’s risk of failure be kept to an absolute minimum. Protecting the pump is made more difficult by the fact that the oil and gas industry is a tough work environment that often involves extreme weather conditions and remote locations when working on pipelines and drilling equipment. For this reason, chemical injection pumps are typically protected by outdoor electrical enclosures. An outdoor enclosure for a chemical injection pump must be ready to protect the pump’s components from the harsh conditions it will likely encounter. Thus, pump designers often choose NEMA 4X enclosure models such as the Polycase AN Series, precision-machined aluminum enclosures which come with a NEMA 4X rating for weatherproof performance and corrosion protection. 8. Alternative Energy Equipment
The alternative energy market has become increasingly lucrative as the price of renewable energy becomes competitive with fossil fuels. The surge of interest in alternative energy has also produced new innovations in energy technology that need outdoor electrical enclosures to protect them.
Solar panels are one especially prominent use case for outdoor electrical enclosures. Each individual solar panel typically has an electrical enclosure mounted on its back which connects the panel to the grid and houses its essential electrical equipment. Since solar panels are exposed to the elements constantly, these enclosures need to be up to the task. Outdoor electrical enclosures for alternative energy equipment need resistance to prolonged sunlight and harsh weather conditions. Polycase offers options like our ZH Series, electrical enclosures designed for extreme outdoor performance. It’s especially critical that a solar panel’s electrical enclosure be able to stand up to prolonged heat from sunlight, which is why our ZH Series is made from UV-stabilized polycarbonate that’s designed to withstand extreme sunlight levels. 9. Marine Equipment
Electrical equipment in marine environments can be subject to some of the toughest conditions on Earth. Between salt spray, battering by waves and wind and even potential submersion, it’s important to have devices protected by an outdoor electronics enclosure that’s rated to at least the NEMA 4X standard–if not higher. Many of the other types of equipment listed here may also be marine equipment. For example, chemical injection pump control boxes used in marine oil and gas drilling operations often need to be protected from high waves and saltwater corrosion. Scientific instruments and telecommunications equipment are also often deployed in marine environments, necessitating a marine-grade outdoor enclosure solution.
Marine electrical enclosures are usually made from a corrosion-resistant material such as polycarbonate or stainless steel. For applications in which the device is expected to be submerged, device designers should choose a NEMA 6P enclosure made from an appropriate material, such as the polycarbonate Polycase HD Series. This rating offers protection for both corrosive agents and complete submersion. As we’ve seen, outdoor enclosures are essential for all kinds of critical equipment. From our wastewater treatment plants to outdoor Wi-Fi, outdoor enclosures get the job done by blocking out nature’s harshest attacks. Polycase’s outdoor electrical enclosures are designed for performance and protection in even the harshest conditions. Outdoor enclosure models like our ML Series, our WH Series and our SA Series are NEMA- and IP-rated for outdoor protection and equipped with features that make them perfect for outdoor use. Many of our enclosures are also available with customized enclosure cutouts and custom printing, making Polycase a one-stop shop for outdoor electrical enclosure buyers. To learn more about our full range of electrical and electronics enclosures, contact us online or call 1-800-248-1233 to speak with our enclosure experts. We’ll be glad to tell you all about how our outdoor electrical enclosures can protect your most critical equipment and recommend the best options for your application. 0 Comment