6 Applications for Polycarbonate Enclosures with Clear Lids

In business, personal relationships and politics, transparency is crucial. It means that the status and activity of an internal mechanism is visible to all its relevant stakeholders, who can see if a change needs to be made.On a smaller and more literal level, transparency can also be a desirable feature for electronics enclosures. Polycarbonate enclosures with clear lids are a popular choice for all kinds of applications because they provide easy access to visual information from the components inside the enclosure without requiring it to be opened. The best enclosures with clear lids are also outdoor enclosures rated for performance in harsh conditions with features that increase their durability and usability.What applications might you find these enclosures used for? Here are six common ways that polycarbonate enclosures with clear lids are used in today’s working world.

Polycase WC-20F with clear cover and molded flanges.

1. Industrial Control Panels

The sophisticated devices that control industrial machinery often require both high-performance protection and consistent monitoring. Electronic control devices, such as programmable logic controllers, are used to control everything from assembly lines to failsafe systems, and these devices must be protected from common hazards in industrial areas such as airborne particles and splashing liquids.Safety and quality control personnel need the ability to quickly determine if a control system is functioning correctly. However, in an environment that’s potentially hazardous for the devices within, it’s important to minimize the time that the enclosure is open, making a polycarbonate enclosure with a clear cover an excellent option.

2. Wi-Fi Equipment

Wi-Fi is now a must-have in many environments, from coffee shops to offices to universities. Even outdoor environments, such as bars, event spaces and sports stadiums, now often require Wi-Fi, so it’s important to have outdoor Wi-Fi device enclosures for these purposes.Polycarbonate enclosures are ideal for Wi-Fi equipment because they provide great protection against environmental hazards while allowing unimpeded signal transmission. A clear cover is useful for a Wi-Fi device enclosure because it provides a viewing area for checking the device’s signal and doing quick visual troubleshooting without actually opening the enclosure.

3. Scientific Instruments

Scientific field instruments are often highly sensitive devices, but they also often require durable protective enclosures due to their relative fragility and the harsh environments in which they are often located. Polycarbonate enclosures with clear covers are an ideal choice for these applications.A field researcher examining an instrument may need to get a visual readout of its information without opening the enclosure and exposing the equipment inside to the elements. A clear polycarbonate electronics enclosure can provide unimpeded access to essential information without requiring the enclosure to be opened.

4. Utility Meters

Around the world, utility companies rely on utility meters to track energy usage and ensure that customers are billed accurately. Utility meters are typically installed on the outside of buildings, so they must be protected by rugged outdoor enclosures.Meter readers (and electrical meter readers in particular) must be able to view a utility meter’s readouts clearly without opening the enclosure. A sealed meter enclosure helps guarantee that the data on the meter is accurate, so using an enclosure with a clear lid is practically a necessity for this application.

5. Solar Energy

Solar energy has been among the biggest growth sectors of the 21st century economy. Reliable solar power demands that the control devices for photovoltaic panels and other key solar infrastructure must be both easy to access and protected by weatherproof outdoor enclosures.A polycarbonate enclosure is a great choice for solar energy applications due to its durability and ease of visual access. UV stabilized polycarbonate enclosures, such as the Polycase ML Series, are also available with clear covers.

6. Security Systems

To fulfill their intended purpose, security systems must be secure themselves. That’s why polycarbonate enclosures with clear lids are popular for these devices, particularly outdoor security control consoles. A clear enclosure lid provides a viewing window that allows authorized personnel to check a system’s status, while the rugged construction of a polycarbonate electronics enclosure helps prevent forced access and tampering.

Polycase WC-37F with clear cover and molded flanges.

Polycase’s customers love our polycarbonate enclosures with clear lids. Some of our most popular outdoor enclosure models, including the Polycase WC Series and the Polycase ZH Series, are available with clear covers. We can also customize your clear enclosure lid with custom CNC-machined cutouts and digital printing.For more information on our polycarbonate enclosures with clear lids, just contact us online or call Polycase at 1-800-248-1233 to speak to our electrical enclosure experts.