An electric enclosure is a part of all industries and factories. The design, build, and specifications of the enclosure vary based on the type of industry. However, all electrical enclosures should adhere to the regulations set up by the government authorities. After all, the entire property and lives of thousands of workers are at stake.
Given the different requirements for electrical enclosures, it seems obvious that the sheet fabrication design will also vary. A smaller enclosure needs a smaller fabrication box and vice versa. Yet, it appears that not everyone understands this simple concept or goes through a systematic process. This results in mismatched sizes, lack of quality, patchy work, and so on.
Let’s look at a few reasons to design the enclosures before fabrication.
- Customization
Where do you want to install the electric enclosure? How complex or simple should the system be? Do you want the enclosure to fit in compact spaces or should the enclosure be large enough to add more parts over time? The sheet metal fabrication for the electrical enclosure will depend on your requirements.
- Quality
Cheap is never an option when it comes to electrical enclosure and fabrication. Which type of materials should you use? What is the thickness of the sheet metal for fabrication? Should it be robust or flexible, or both? Are there any other extra safety norms to consider? Will the enclosure be installed in a hazardous environment? You need to choose the best possible option for your setting and also consider your budget limitations.
In short, not designing the electrical enclosure before fabrication can put everything at risk and lead to grave accidents on the site. You just cannot afford to mess with the quality and build of the electrical enclosures and the panels.
Factors to Consider for Enclosure Design
Choosing the right electrical enclosure is easier said than done. You need to consider an array of factors to determine the best enclosure within your budget. It should also adhere to safety regulations and last for a long time.
- Ingress Protection ratings (IP ratings) are one of the first aspects to consider when dealing with live electrical parts. How effective is the damage control system to prevent full-blown accidents on the site?
- What are the thermal conditions in the environment? How is the environment in general? What is the moisture content? Are there any hazardous elements around?
- What is the total cost of setting? What should be the cost of the enclosure?
Factors to Consider for Fabrication
The following factors determine which fabrication is more suited for the electrical enclosure:
- The type of electrical enclosure, such as free-standing, wall-mounted, or equipment-mounted
- The space available to install the enclosure with the fabrication box
- The security requirements for the enclosure. Find out whether you need an access control key system
- What is the best design suited for the electrical enclosure? Does the enclosure suit the panel?
- Which material do you want to use for fabrication? Sheet metal or fibreglass?
- Can fabrication be made elsewhere and assembled on-site or should it be made onsite?
- What should be used to fasten or attach the parts to the enclosure?
Solution Control Systems specializes in building custom electrical enclosures, control panels, etc., for residential, commercial, industrial, and hazardous settings. We build, assemble, install, and provide maintenance services to ensure perfect panels. Having almost a decade and a half of experience in the industry, we cater to a range of clients from different parts of Canada.
