Manufacturer: The selection of a manufacturer is very important to ensure quality equipment. Look for companies with international accreditations and country certifications for quality and reliability. Industry experience is a must-have qualification for shortlisting the manufacturer, as are customer service and technical assistance.
Materials: Material selection for electrical enclosures is of critical valve. It includes a meticulous understanding of the location, surrounding environment, and functionality of the system.
Design: The design of the enclosure should incorporate all essential features to house the designed components in proper places, with adequate space for aeration.
Construction: Enclosures should be constructed of materials capable of withstanding mechanical, electrical, thermal, and environmental stresses. Based on location it might be galvanized iron, Aluminum, or Stainless steel. Care should be taken regarding the quality of material, the origin in certain cases is from substandard sources. The material test certificate is one of the best methods of checking the reliability of materials.
Finish: Prevention of corrosion is of utmost importance. The internationally rated enclosures are usually constructed of Galvanized iron with powder coating, with sufficient pretreatment to ensure quality. While, for extreme conditions, the material of choice is stainless 316. In certain applications, Aluminum enclosures are preferred due to their resistance to chemicals and lightweight.
Factors impacting selection may include
- Strength
- Resistance to corrosion
- Thermal stability
- Resistance to UV
- Mechanical impact and
