How To Choose The Right NEMA Type Outdoor Weatherproof Enclosure
How To Choose The Right NEMA Type Outdoor Weatherproof Enclosure
Jun 23 , 2021Several years ago,specifying an enclosure involved ordering the correct size gray box, installing the electronic equipment and crossing your fingers in hopes that the box you ordered did what it was supposed to. Today, there are multiple types of enclosures made of various materials and with multiple ratings so it’s hard to know which outdoor enclosure will be the most durable, least expensive and will stand the test of time.
Our enclosures are made of aluminum, which are rust and corrosion resistant, contain natural thermal conductivity, and are very lightweight when compared to steel enclosures of the same size.
STEP 1: CONSIDER YOUR SURROUNDINGS
Where will your sensitive electronics be located? Outdoors or indoors? Close to salt water or in a hot, dusty warehouse? In the shade or full sunlight? On a pole or mounted to a wall? From UV rays to temperature to airborne debris, environmental elements can wreak havoc on an improper enclosure. For example, salt spray is highly corrosive and can cause metallic enclosures made out of stainless steel to rust so it would be better to purchase an outdoor weatherproof enclosure made of marine grade (or 5052) aluminum.
The National Electrical Manufacturers Association, or NEMA, has a nationally accepted ranking system for both indoor and outdoor enclosures ranging from 1 to 13. The most common rankings for outdoor electrical, data and security purposes are NEMA 3, 3S, 3X, 3R, 4 and 4X.
NEMA 3 Type Outdoor Weatherproof Enclosure:
- Weather-resistant.
- Protects against weather hazards such as rain & sleet.
- Used outdoors on ship docks, in construction work, tunnels & subways.
- The NEMA 3 models have corrosion resistance.
NEMA 4 Type Outdoor Weatherproof Enclosure:
- Watertight. Must exclude at least 65 GPM of water from 1″ nozzle delivered from a distance no less that 10 ft. for 5 minutes.
- Used outdoors on ship docks, in dairies and in breweries.
- The NEMA 4 models have corrosion resistance.
STEP 2: ENCLOSURE CONSTRUCTION
When installing our outdoor enclosure, how are you going to power what’s inside? How many holes will you have to put into the enclosure which can affect how weatherproof the box is? How hard is it to make those modifications to the material the enclosure is constructed of? Do the boxes come with predetermined punch out areas or will you have to use a special tool for on-site modification? How heavy are the weatherproof enclosure before all those electronic devices are going to be added? These are just a few questions the specifier must answer before being able to accurately bid a project.
Lightweight enclosures are typically preferred over heavy enclosures for ease of installation but keep in mind weight restrictions. Carefully calculate how much weight the items that will be stored in these boxes to ensure that the enclosure does not fail.
STEP 3: WHAT IS YOUR BUDGET?
There are enclosures available for almost every price point. Pricing depends on materials, customization and weight. While fiberglass or polyester can provide cost-effective solutions, outdoor enclosures made of aluminum will perform better in harsh surroundings such as in direct (and hot) sun light and areas near the coast where salt is prevalent.
While there is no “one size fits all” solution, outdoor weatherproof enclosures constructed using 5052 Aluminum meet the major requirements; Environmental hardiness, enclosure construction details and is in the middle of the range for cost.
Looking for outdoor weatherproof enclosures?
Outdoor Server Cabinet Wall Mount Outdoor Cabinet Outdoor Telecom Enclosure Outdoor Battery Enclosure
From data center to outdoor telecom infrastructure products, AZE has the right product for you. AZE designs and manufactures Server Racks and Enclosures, Outdoor Telecom Cabinets and Electronic Enclosures, Power Distribution (Basic Rack PDUs and Smart PDUs), KVM Switches and Fiber optics products to globe customers in the market.
Make IT Connected, AZE can support you to make IT happen with affordable cost.
Contact AZE to customize your outdoor weatherproof enclosures.
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