Cabinets and enclosures come in a broad range of styles and are offered in a wide variety of metals and plastics. They must accommodate interconnections between PCBs and provide access for external cables and connectors. They prevent personal injury from electrical shock, protect against vibration, shelter circuitry from environmental hazards (for example, moisture and corrosion), act as a shield against dust and debris, and defend equipment from tampering, damage from vandalism or attempted theft. Housings are also the first line of defense against electromagnetic interference (EMI) and radio frequency interference (RFI), which can impair the electrical performance of analog or digital circuitry. Sometimes the cabinet or enclosure is even pleasing to the eye.
To help you select the proper cabinet or enclosure for your application, here is a sampling of some notable products we’ve recently come across.
Suited for independent or cable connected mobile electronics, Interface-Terminal cases from OKW Enclosures consist of top and base parts molded in off-white ABS (UL 94 HB). Closed tops are designed for mounting 6.4- or 8.4-in. touchscreens, with a recess for a membrane keypad or touchscreen, or open for mounting an anodized aluminum front panel.
Interface-Terminal cases from OKW Enclosures
The cases are available in 7.480 x 5.315 x 1.456-in. (small) or 8.858 x 6.496 x 1.496-in. (medium) sizes, and can be specified with or without a battery compartment for five 1.5-V AA cells. A desk station is also available; both the case and the station can be fitted with five pole contacts for data transfer and charging.
Utility junction (UJ) sectionalizing enclosures from Hoffman
Designed to withstand harsh outdoor conditions, utility junction (UJ) sectionalizing enclosures from Hoffman are offered in single- and three-phase models. Featuring a tamper-resistant design with standard 12-gauge steel or 0.125-in. aluminum construction, the enclosures are suited for above-ground housing for sectionalizing, tapping, or terminating underground distribution systems.
The UJ enclosures are available in 15 sizes and can be modified to fit custom configurations. A recessed pentahead latch and interlocked padlock provision ensure the enclosure closes securely.
The HPTCOVER protective enclosure for ac plug-in transformers helps security installers avoid accidental system shutdowns. The Honeywell enclosure mounts over a duplex wall receptacle and can be screwed shut to ensure the transformer remains securely affixed to the outlet.
HPTCOVER protective enclosure from Honeywell
The plug-in-transformer enclosure features three 0.5-in. conduit knockouts in the bottom and back to allow the low-voltage wire to exit easily to the alarm panel.
Hammond’s extruded aluminum family of small enclosures has been extended with introduction of the 1457E RFI screened, IP54 environmentally sealed series of enclosures. Designed to house PCBs, directly mounted horizontally into internal slots extruded in the case body, the units can also be used to house any small electronic, electrical or pneumatic components. Available externally finished with clear anodized or textured black painted finish for resistance to wear and tear, the RFI and IP 54 end-panel gaskets provide electromagnetic attenuation and water and dust protection for the electronics. The 1457 is available in six sizes, ranging from 3.15 x 2.32 x 1.21 in. (80 x 59 x 31 mm) to 6.3 x 4.09 x 2.15 in. (160 x 104 x 55 mm).
Hammond’s extruded aluminum family of small enclosures
Elma Electronics has upgraded its Type 15 StyleBox enclosure with several key features. The new Type 15 enclosure offers more colors, a new handle assembly,
Type 15 StyleBox enclosure from Elma Electronic
Fifty-one different sizes, and a flexible design allowing it to convert to a portable tower. The new handle design comes in three parts a top and bottom which attach to the enclosure, and a center piece. The center piece is offered in any heights from 1U to 7U, providing flexibility without special tooling. Rotated by 90 and feet/handle installed, the enclosure becomes a portable tower. The enclosure configurations include 19-in. rack mount with/without handles, desktop with/without handles, portable case (horizontal orientation),and portable tower (vertical orientation).
The SR4410 family of IP-rated receptacles from Datakey Electronics
Part of the SlimLine Token Receptacle family, the SR4410 devices combine a sealing gasket with a built-in mechanism for over-tighten protection, and includes a detent mechanism that increases token retention and gives tactile confirmation.
The range of 1, 2, and 3U 19-in. general-purpose rack cases from Verotec has been extended with the addition of 4, 5, and 6U heights. Available in depths of 10, 14, and 18 in., the rack cases enable a wide range of electronic, electric and electromechanical equipment to be easily mounted in a standard 19-in. enclosure. By using a simple code generator, the user can specify the required height and depth, a choice of vented or unvented top and base covers, specify a 0.12-in. clear anodized or 0.08-in. black painted steel front panel and either gray or black front handles if required.
General-purpose rack cases from Verotec
Also available are 1U EMC versions in 10- or 14-in. depths. Manufactured from aluminum extrusions with interlocking aluminum top and bottom covers, the cases are suited for applications such as broadcast, datacom and networking where good EMC is required.
L-Com’s DIN Rail NEMA type 4X / IP 65-rated weatherproof enclosures
The 14 x 12 x 7-in. enclosures come with a fully gasketed, raised lid and integral mounting flange. They feature stainless-steel quick-release latches with padlock hasps, and are available in standard and fully customizable configurations.
Designed for control stations with standard 22-mm switches and indicators, Bulgin Components’ BE IP 67-rated sealed plastic enclosures are corrosion resistant and provide protection from dust and water for short-term submersion to 1 m depth. The enclosures are available in either ABS with a UL94-HB rating and temperature rating from –20° to 85°C, or polycarbonate with a UL 94V-0 rating and temperature rating of from –20° to 100°C.
BE IP 67-rated sealed plastic enclosures from Bulgin Components
Both versions have internal premolded PCB fixings and slots, lids and bases can be supplied in alternative colors. They are available in three sizes: 80 x 72, 80 x 106, or 80 x 139 mm, all measuring 53 mm deep.
Targeting OEM instrumentation, controls, and automation applications the ARCA enclosure line from Fibox now offers sizes of 8 x 8 x 4, 10 x 8 x 4, and 10 x 10 x 6 in.
ARCA enclosures from Fibox
Manufactured using injection-molded polycarbonate, the enclosures are available with opaque or transparent covers and feature an overlapping cover design to protect the formed-in-place polyurethane gasket. Enclosures come with standard wall-mounting feet or optional mounting flanges.
Murray Slovick
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