Best Options for Outdoor Network Enclosures

Our digitally connected world is no longer content to remain indoors. Nowadays, all kinds of applications require a strong outdoor communications network. Whether you’re running a business that needs constant connection inside and outside, your scientific study needs reliable all-weather instruments or you want to expand the reach of your home WiFi network into the great outdoors, the world we live in often requires outdoor networks.

Creating these networks requires hard work and well-designed devices. WiFi networks often need to be extended outdoors using an electronic device such as a router or range extender, but outdoor network enclosures have a variety of unique needs to address. They need to be able to protect the sensitive electronic equipment inside with consistent performance in whatever conditions are present.

Network technologies like outdoor WiFi may be new to the game, but Polycase isn’t. We have over 65 years of experience as experts in outdoor enclosure manufacturing. Polycase outdoor enclosures meet, and often exceed, industry standards for outdoor environments and are ready to protect your equipment. In this article, we’ll talk about what most engineers and designers look for in an outdoor network enclosure, and we’ll also take a quick look at how Polycase’s products can help you meet your outdoor enclosure needs.

Basics of Outdoor Network Expansion

The first question to answer: What kind of network applications demand that a device be housed in an outdoor electronics enclosure? All of the following communications applications require significant permanent or semi-permanent outdoor installations of electronic devices:

• Fixed line broadband Internet technologies such as DSL, cable modem and fiber optic
• Expansion of WiFi networks into outdoor areas through WiFi amplifiers, mesh networks or wireless access points
• Scientific instruments that need to remain outdoors to collect data and communicate with satellites
• Switching and routing equipment to manage telecom networks
• Network interface devices (NIDs) such as optical network terminals for fiber optic connections
• Infrastructure for LTE, 5G and other mobile broadband technologies
• Power over ethernet (POE) adapter modules to provide power supply and internet connection for other outdoor electronic devices

Outdoor WiFi extenders and base stations are widely available commercially, but many specialty applications may require outdoor network devices to be custom-built. One thing is for sure: You’ll need a great outdoor electronics enclosure to keep your device safe and functioning correctly.

Why Outdoor Network Enclosures Are Important

Most of the devices used to create and maintain outdoor communications networks contain highly sensitive electronic equipment. Numerous environmental hazards can pose a threat to this equipment, including:

• Inundation with water from rain, snow or sleet
• Ice formation on the enclosure
• UV radiation from the sun
• Extreme low and high temperatures
• Ingress from dirt, debris, insects and other particulate matter
• Corrosion from salt in ambient air or exposure to chemicals
• Submersion in water in flood-prone areas

Depending on your environment, your enclosure may need to offer some or all of these protections, so consider which factors will be most relevant in your environment. We’ll take a look at some of the most desirable protective features next.

What Features Should an Outdoor Network Enclosure Have?

There’s no one feature set that’s right for every outdoor enclosure. What you’ll need from yours varies widely by environment, network type and other factors. However, there’s a common set of protective and performance features that many outdoor enclosure designers will find useful:

• Good resistance to UV radiation and to prolonged exposure to various outdoor conditions.
• Locking or hinged design to quickly offer access when needed while discouraging unauthorized entry.
• Durable construction and ability to withstand weathering and impacts.
• Easy options such as wall mount flanges or pole mounting kits for securely mounting the device where it’s needed.
• A waterproof gasket seal to provide protection against splashes, precipitation and airborne debris.
• The right NEMA or IP rating for the level of water, dust and/or corrosion protection you need.

The last item is critical, but it can be confusing — so it bears a closer look to explain what NEMA and IP ratings are and how to use them.

What NEMA and IP Ratings Does an Outdoor Network Enclosure Need?

For those unfamiliar with NEMA ratings and IP ratings, they’re useful industry standards designed to give an accurate idea of what level of protection an electrical enclosure provides against various environmental hazards. They are roughly comparable and convertible in some circumstances, but each system should be examined on its own. NEMA ratings also aren’t widely used outside the United States, while the IP scale is an international one.

The main difference between the two rating systems is that IP ratings exclusively focus on protection against dust and water ingress. While NEMA ratings also provide information on these factors, they also rate for other factors such as corrosion resistance that aren’t included in IP ratings. Thus, it’s important to take a close look at each individual rating and determine whether it provides the protection your device needs.

Some of the enclosure ratings that are best suited to an outdoor enclosure include:

• NEMA 4: A commonly used standard for outdoor enclosures. NEMA 4 is a strong base level of outdoor defense that provides strong protection against precipitation and hose-directed water, as well as ingress from airborne debris of all kinds.
• NEMA 4X: Similar to NEMA 4, but with greater built-in resistance to corrosion.
• NEMA 6: The next step up in protection, a NEMA 6 enclosure provides all the benefits of NEMA 4X and below, but they’re also rated to survive temporary submersion and recommended for areas where flooding is a concern.
• NEMA 6P: The highest NEMA level of protection, a NEMA 6P rating indicates an enclosure that can survive prolonged submersion. These enclosures are popular for marine applications.
• IP65: Provides total protection from dust ingress and splashing/hose-directed water.
• IP66: The same as IP65, but with protection against temporary flooding.
• IP67: Adds protection against submersion up to one meter.
• IP68: Adds protection against submersion deeper than one meter.

Consult with your team and any other relevant stakeholders about what kind of protection your enclosure will need, and don’t be shy about taking your time to do diligent research. This equipment, after all, will likely be expected to last for years. Once you’re confident that you’ve identified the features you need, it’s time to start thinking about enclosure materials.

What Material Should You Use for Your Outdoor Network Enclosure?

We offer many different material types for your outdoor enclosure needs. Each has its own set of strengths, and it’s up to you to decide which fits your application best. Here’s a quick guide to the enclosure material options that Polycase has available, as well as how they perform outdoors:

• Polycarbonate: A great all-around choice for outdoor enclosure applications. Polycarbonate is known for its resilience and ability to be molded into great-looking styles. It’s highly resistant to corrosion and has better resistance to dents than stainless steel, but can be vulnerable to scratches, as well as to some solvents and chemicals. Unlike metal enclosures, which could interfere with WiFi signals and radio waves, polycarbonate enclosures cause minimal interference or attenuation.
• Stainless Steel: The classic material for rugged enclosures, stainless steel has its reputation for a reason. It’s incredibly tough and resistant to all kinds of environmental and chemical hazards, including corrosion, temperature swings and common solvents. Stainless steel is also prized for its clean, sleek aesthetic. However, because of its high quality, it does usually cost more than other options.
• Powder Coated Steel: Another great option for outdoor enclosures, with many of the same high-performance qualities as stainless steel. It’s generally less resistant to corrosion than stainless, but its resistance can be improved through finishing processes and it offers the durability of steel at a more affordable price point.

Again, take your time to research and weigh the advantages of various materials. Then, start looking at what Polycase can offer you.

Polycase’s Outdoor Network Enclosure Options

Polycase offers many excellent waterproof NEMA enclosures that are designed to resist the rigors of outdoor use. We’ve designed these enclosures with the features that electronics professionals rely on for outdoor performance day in and day out:

• SA Series: Our premier stainless steel enclosures, NEMA 4X/IP66-rated with a keyed latch and hinge door for secure access. Comes in a complete package with all essential hardware, including mounting brackets and internal panel.
• ML Series: Heavy-duty polycarbonate enclosures, rated all the way up to NEMA 6P/IP68, with a weatherproof and waterproof design. Available with an optional transparent cover for easy monitoring. Good for devices that require great security over quick access.
• SB Series: For those who need the performance of steel at a lower price point, the SB series is a great option. NEMA 4X/IP66-rated, with a waterproof silicone gasket and 16-gauge steel construction.
• SK Series: Polycarbonate NEMA 4X and IP66-rated enclosures, reinforced with fiberglass and created with precision-machined knockouts that make it a snap to add extra cabling or an antenna.

ZH Series: A tough polycarbonate enclosure that provides the perfect balance of access and protection. A water-tight and dust-tight gasket provides NEMA 6P/IP68 protection, plus a durable hinge mechanism for easy access and an optional clear cover. Ideal for a pole-mounted enclosure.

Outdoor Enclosure Accessory Options

We’ve also got an industry-leading selection of outdoor network enclosure accessories to ensure that your enclosure meets your needs:

• Pole mount kits to easily attach a device’s enclosure to a communications pole.
• Internal mounting panels to securely attach internally-mounted components.
• DIN rail kits for mounting devices inside an equipment rack.
• Flange mounting kits to securely attach a device using wall-mounting flanges. (Some models already include them.)
• Cable glands and seals to maintain integrity around the points where cable connectors enter and exit the enclosure.

Finally, Polycase knows that designing an outdoor network device is a challenging process that can require customized enclosures, so we offer extensive customization options with competitive pricing and quick lead times. We offer outdoor enclosure customization using the following tools:

• Precision CNC enclosure machining using state-of the art tools to make the custom cuts you need with low scrap costs and fast turnarounds.
• Brilliant, full-color digital enclosure printing. Our digital printing is highly resistant to cracks and peeling since it’s printed directly onto the body of the enclosure.

When it’s time to bring your network into the great outdoors, you can trust Polycase for all of your outdoor enclosures. We’ve got the experience, the expert knowledge, the high standards of quality and the customization capacity to give you the perfect weatherproof enclosure for your outdoor network application. We make it easy to get started. Just give us a call at 1-800-248-1233 or contact us online for a free quote with no obligation.