Look up and see what’s hiding in plain sight!
by Allyn Weilacher, Marketing Operations Specialist at Hammond Manufacturing
The world of enclosures is vast, varied, and—to most people—invisible. This is by design, as enclosures provide discreet hiding places for the unsightly, the potentially hazardous, and the secret mechanisms that keep society functioning smoothly.
Enclosures hide in plain sight, but once one becomes aware of them, it’s impossible not to notice them everywhere!
Broadly speaking, enclosures like those supplied by Hammond Manufacturing can be categorized into “electronic” and “electrical” enclosures.
Electrical enclosures
These enclosures derive their name from their primary function of housing electrical equipment and wiring. They are finished in standardized, unobtrusive colors and built in conventional, easily rounded measurements. Electrical enclosures are designed to be compatible with each other and with a wide range of common components and accessories, including panels, disconnect handles, DIN rails, and more.
Safety is a major concern for electrical enclosures. Outdoor equipment requires enclosures that are rated to handle sun, rain, and even salt exposure, but equipment installed out in the open carries an additional risk of tampering, either on purpose or accidentally by humans, and sometimes by animals—and should include features like locks and tamper-proof hardware in addition to being structurally sound.
Electrical enclosures are manufactured with grounding provisions, typically featuring a metal stud. When grounding equipment is installed, it not only makes it safer for an operator to work inside the enclosure but also prevents equipment damage in the event of an electrical fault by providing a path for electricity to exit the enclosure and safely divert into the earth.
Knockouts are another noticeable feature of some electrical enclosures. These are circular shapes with a slightly perforated appearance, found on the sides, top, and bottom of the enclosure. By using tools such as a flat-head screwdriver and a mallet, the user “knocks out” the center ring, creating a through-hole to accommodate components and cables that need to pass through the wall of the enclosure. Knockout holes of various sizes are included, allowing users to utilize as many or as few as needed. When a hole has been opened but is no longer required, a plug can be installed in the opening to seal it off.
Grey is by far the most common finish color for metal electrical enclosures, excluding materials like stainless steel that don’t require a finish. Examples include ANSI 61 grey and RAL 7032 or 7035. Beige, white, and black finishes are standard, though less common, than grey. These standards ensure that enclosures of varying sizes, purposes, and even manufacturers remain uniform once installed.
Electronic enclosures
While some overlap exists between the two groups, particularly in factory or outdoor environments where a full-size cabinet or junction box is not required, electronic enclosures can be very diverse. Some are designed to be as unremarkable as the average electrical enclosure, while others are intended to draw attention to or enhance the appearance of the device.
Grey, white, and black materials are still the most customary, but colorful plastic and powder-coat finishes are also in demand. Custom printing, stickers, and skins can be applied to make a product stand out or provide helpful labels and instructions for end-users. Some electronic enclosures are designed to be mounted on panels or walls (such as sensors, IoT devices, and small screen displays), while others are shaped to be comfortable when held in the hand (like remotes, controllers, and tablets).
The printed circuit board (PCB) is the lifeblood of electronics, so many electronic enclosures are designed with a board in mind. Interior features, such as PCB posts and horizontal or vertical card guides, provide places to mount or slot boards. Electronic enclosures are typically assembled with screws or by snapping the pieces together, and unlike electrical enclosures, they usually don’t have features such as hinges, latches, or handles.
Other features
A flange is a flat piece of material that is attached to or built into an object, allowing it to be mounted to other objects and surfaces. Collared flanges can be used to bolt a street light post into the ground or attach two pipes together. On an enclosure, flanges are protruding rims with through-holes or slots. These provide a place to install mounting hardware, such as screws or straps, for a pole mount kit. Feet can also be used for this purpose; mounting feet are generally smaller, individual tabs or adhesive rubber bumpers that the user can choose to install on the enclosure, as opposed to a flange, which is typically welded on or integrated into the body of the enclosure.
Some small enclosures can be mounted without a flange or feet if the box is designed with mounting channels. These are holes that run all the way through the enclosure body, allowing mounting hardware to be inserted and the box to be screwed directly into the wall.
Both electrical and electronic systems can generate excess heat and be vulnerable to the elements. To control the temperature and condensation inside an enclosure, active components like fans, heaters, and air conditioners can be located within or attached to the enclosure. Passive methods of climate control include vents, such as perforations or louvers (slots angled downwards or hooded to prevent overhead debris from falling in), and heat sinks, which are a series of ribs or fins that provide extra surface area to absorb and disperse heat.
Look Up!
Unassuming yet essential, enclosures are the backbone of the industrial world. Although enclosures can be tricky to spot by design, simply being aware of their existence may lead to suddenly noticing them in all kinds of places, their features serving as clues to their purpose. Look up and see what is hiding in plain sight!