Control Cabinet Enclosure: The Ultimate FAQ Guide

If you are finding it difficult to choose control cabinet enclosure, this guide has a solution for you.

It has answers to all questions you have on an electrical enclosure for the control system.

So, if you want to be an expert, read everything here:

What are the Benefits of Control Cabinet Enclosures?

You get a wide range of benefits when using a control cabinet enclosure.

These benefits ensure the efficient use of your application as well as protecting it.

Control cabinet enclosure

Such benefits include:

· The Durability of your Application

Through the use of a control cabinet enclosure, you have a guarantee of the durability of your application.

This is because of the shielding effect that it offers to your application.

You can, therefore, use your control cabinet enclosure without having to worry about damages to it.

· Personal Safety

A control electrical enclosure offers protection to you while operating.

Such safety helps in preventing accidents such as electrocution or mishandling of the electrical application.

· Equipment Protection

The control cabinet enclosure protects your application against several external factors.

Such factors, including dust particles and water, have the effect of slowing down the operation of your application.

It also protects your electrical equipment against any damage that can affect its functionality.

· Efficiency in Operation

A control cabinet enclosure facilitates the efficient operation of your application.

This allows you to operate your application while standing and also monitor the operation of your application.

This ensures continuous operation leading to high productivity.

· Different Design

Control cabinet enclosures have distinct designs that ensure you have the best design for your application.

Regardless of the size and type of your electrical application, you have an assurance of getting a control cabinet enclosure.

Where can you use Control Cabinet Enclosures?

PLC control cabinet

You can use control cabinet enclosures in many industries where there are control systems.

These may include the pharmaceutical industry, power generation, food processing, oil and gas industry, street lighting, mining, transport, etc.

Basically, where there is a control system, you will get control cabinets.

Which Electrical Enclosure Standards should you look for?

Electrical enclosure standards play a critical role in offering safety for the control cabinet enclosure during its use.

There are different standards that an electrical enclosure should adhere to, depending on different global regions.

However, the common standards for your electrical enclosure are:

· RoHS

RoHS prevents the use of hazardous materials in the manufacturing of electrical enclosures.

It helps in ensuring that the electrical enclosure is environmentally friendly and that its use does not emit poisonous substances.

Hazardous materials include mercury, lead, chromium, and polybrominated diphenyl ethers.

· NEMA

NEMA’s regulation is mean for the electrical and electronics industry.

As a global organization, its task is to ensure the safety of these products for their intended use.

There are thirteen categories of NEMA standards that a given electrical enclosure should adhere to before its release in the market.

Each of these categories offers a specific standard in ensuring the quality of your electrical enclosure.

For instance, you can have a NEMA standard that describes the quality of an electrical enclosure in offering protection against dust and water.

Yet another can offer protection against personal access of the enclosure to hazardous parts.

· IP Ratings

The primary purpose of IP ratings is to check on the standards that the electrical enclosure has to offer against water and solid intrusion.

It is usually a two-part standard in which one part describes the level of protection against solid particles.

The other part describes the level of protection against water intrusion.

You must check your electrical enclosure to ensure that it can effectively prevent water and solid particles.

If such particles get into contact with your electrical components, then they can lead to malfunctioning.

You should select an electrical enclosure with an IP rating of 5 and above.

·   UL

This is a global standard that assesses the quality of a given electrical enclosure to ensure it meets the standards necessary for the market.

In some countries such as the US, your electrical enclosure must have this standard.

Are there Unique Features differentiating Control Cabinet Enclosure to Standard Electrical Enclosures?

Yes.

There are unique features that differentiate the control cabinet enclosure from the standard electrical enclosure.

These features include;

• Mount switches
• Displays
• Membrane keypads to facilitate operation.
• HMI LCD touch screen panels
• LED indicators
• cable management systems
• ON and OFF switch options

What should you look for in Control Panel Enclosures?

While there are various types of control panel enclosures in the market, selecting one that fits your application is the key.

You, therefore, have to consider several features before choosing the perfect one for your use.

These features include:

· Voltage Ratings

Different control cabinet enclosures have different voltage ratings.

Choosing a control cabinet enclosure that has a lower or higher voltage rating than your application may result in its malfunctioning.

It is, therefore, vital that you select one which has the appropriate voltage rating for your application.

· Size of the Control Cabinet Enclosure

The availability of different sizes of applications makes the size of your control cabinet enclosure a vital factor to consider.

The ideal size should be able to fit your application while offering maximum protection perfectly.

It should allow for accessibility and proper functioning of the control cabinet enclosure.

· Control Cabinet Enclosure Material

Since you have different materials for the fabrication of a control cabinet enclosure, there is a need for ensuring the material meets your standards.

Such materials should be able to protect your application from external factors such as water and dust.

· Purpose of the Control Cabinet Enclosure

Besides the usual functions, there are other functions that your control cabinet enclosure has to offer.

It is, therefore, imperative that you select a cabinet control enclosure that offers you the functions you need for your applications.

· Ventilation

Ventilation helps in ensuring proper working temperature for your application.

While choosing a control cabinet enclosure, you should check on the type of ventilation it has and if it is convenient for your application.

·  Accessories

These are extra components or features present in a particular control cabinet enclosure.

The function of these accessories is to facilitate the operation of the control cabinet enclosures.

Accessories may range from door kill switch to remote monitoring devices.

· Installation Option

There are two types of control cabinet enclosure, that is, indoor and outdoor control cabinet enclosure.

Each of these types has its unique features that make them ideal for their installation options.

You have to check on the type of control cabinet enclosure before selecting an appropriate for your function

Are Control Cabinet Enclosures IP Rated?

Yes.

An active control cabinet enclosure should be IP rated since it is an electrical enclosure.

IP rating helps in preventing entry of water and solid particles into the electrical components of your control cabinet enclosure.

Such an entry causes your control cabinet enclosure to malfunction.

They come in a range of IP rating specifications such as:

• IP 44 control cabinet enclosure
• IP 45 control cabinet enclosure
• IP 55 control cabinet enclosure
• IP 56 control cabinet enclosure
• IP 57 control cabinet enclosure
• IP 65 control cabinet enclosure
• IP 66 control cabinet enclosure

Remember, through the IP rating, you can tell whether the electrical control cabinet enclosure is suitable for a specific task or not.

How do you Regulate Temperature of Control Cabinet Enclosure?

Temperature regulation is a vital factor in the proper functioning of a control cabinet enclosure.

At an optimum temperature, the components of a control cabinet enclosure operate efficiently.

There are different ways of regulating the temperature of your control cabinet enclosure.

They include:

Air flowing in electrical enclosure

1. Natural Convection Cooling

Natural convection cooling utilizes heat transfer from the warmer regions to colder regions within your control cabinet enclosure.

This only takes place when the outside environment of your control cabinet enclosure is colder than the inside.

In this way, heat radiates from the enclosure through the walls to the outside environment.

As this happens, the internal temperature reduces to a level that is equal to that of the external environment.

Natural convection cooling is a less costly and straightforward option for your control cabinet enclosure.

However, it is less effective since it is dependent on the temperature of the external environment.

This implies if the external temperature is higher, the control cabinet enclosure will not cool.

If this happens, there is a compromise on the efficiency of the performance of your control cabinet enclosure.

2. Forced Convection Cooling

Forced convection cooling uses a fan or blower to force warm air out of your control cabinet enclosure.

It is important to note that whichever blower or fan you use, it should include a filter.

Remember, air flowing from the outside to the inside may have contaminants such as dust and dirt.

When these contaminants get in contact with the electrical components of your control cabinet enclosure, malfunctioning occurs.

A filter is, therefore, a vital component in filtering the air flowing into the control cabinet enclosure.

This method is relatively affordable and easy to install.

You can also control the volume of air flowing into the enclosure by adjusting the speed of the fan or blower.

However, it requires regular maintenance to remove the contaminants present in the fan or blower.

If this does not happen, dirt will accumulate on the blower or fan, which may hinder its proper functioning.

This causes dirt to enter into the electrical components.

3. Active Cooling

Active cooling involves the use of an air conditioner to cool the internal temperature of your control cabinet enclosure.

It offers a closed-loop system needed by your enclosure in protecting the internal components from dirt and dust.

It is also an effective method in temperature regulation since you can manipulate it by either raising the temperature or lowering it.

However, it is relatively expensive when you compare to the methods both in terms of purchasing and regular maintenance.

What is NEMA Rated Control Cabinet Enclosure?

A NEMA rated control cabinet enclosure is one that has met and certified the performance criteria needed for effective operation in a given environment.

NEMA 1 Control enclosure

Such criteria include; NEMA 1, NEMA 2, NEMA 3, NEMA 3R, NEMA 3S, NEMA 5, NEMA 6, and NEMA 11.

These guidelines describe the protection level of a given control cabinet enclosure over several factors such as dirt and fluid.

How does Outdoor Control Cabinet Enclosure compare to Indoor Control Cabinet Enclosure?

The IP rating for an indoor control cabinet enclosure is IP42.

The IP rating for an outdoor control cabinet enclosure is IP65.

The NEMA ratings for an outdoor control cabinet enclosure is Type 3R.

This describes the appearance of the knockouts on the bottom and sides of the enclosures.

Type 1 is the NEMA ratings for indoor control cabinet enclosure.

It describes the protection of the enclosure against the light, dust, and indirect splashing.

NEMA type 4 describes the protection of both the indoor and outdoor control cabinet enclosure against rain, snow, and falling dirt.

Is there a difference between NEMA Rated and IP Rated Control Cabinet Enclosure?

Yes.

There is a difference between NEMA rated, and IP rated control cabinet enclosure.

NEMA rated control cabinet enclosure is ideal for industrial applications.

IP rated control cabinet enclosure is useful in a wide range of applications, including industrial applications.

IP rated control cabinet enclosure has protection against water and solid particle ingression.

NEMA rated control cabinet enclosure offers supplementary protection against corrosion and atmospheric gases such as gasoline and acetylene.

NEMA rated control cabinet enclosure distinguishes between non-hazardous and hazardous environments.

This helps in identifying the appropriate environment to use your control cabinet enclosure.

IP rated control cabinet enclosure does not offer such a distinction.

You cannot convert NEMA rating to IP rating and vice-versa.

NEMA rated control cabinet enclosure offers superior standards than IP rated control cabinet enclosure.

This is because the NEMA standard meets and surpass IP ratings.

However, IP ratings cannot meet NEMA ratings since they are inferior and few than NEMA ratings.

NEMA 3 Control enclosure

What is the Best Material for Control Cabinet Enclosure?

There are different materials available for the control cabinet enclosure.

Each of these materials has its unique characteristics, depending on your area of application.

The primary materials available are; Stainless-steel and carbon steel, polycarbonate, aluminum, and fiberglass-reinforced polyester.

Aluminum is another option that you can use for the manufacturing of a cabinet control enclosure.

It is relatively weight, which reduces the overall weight of the cabinet control enclosure.

It offers maximum functionality in areas with harsh conditions and can withstand high impact.

It also reduces electromagnetic interference, which maximizes the operation of your electrical application.

Stainless-steel and carbon-steel are a preferred option due to its durability standard and high level of chemical and corrosion resistance.

It also does not allow moisture within it, which offers a conducive environment for the proper functioning of your electrical application.

Its strength makes it ideal for the fabrication of a control cabinet Enclosure.

Polycarbonate is a non-magnetic, non-conductive material that is strong and lightweight.

It has high resistance properties against corrosion and chemicals.

The ease of modification makes it an ideal material for the fabrication of different designs of your cabinet control enclosure.

However, you need to take care when cleaning this cabinet control enclosure since it has a high sensitivity to cleaning agents.

Fiberglass-reinforced polyester is resistive to chemicals and corrosive elements.

It is ideal for the fabrication of a cabinet control enclosures for use in outdoor and indoor applications.

What is Control Cabinet Enclosure used for?

 PLC control panel

The primary function of a control cabinet enclosure is to hold electrical equipment and controls for the efficient function of your application.

It offers protection to the electrical cables and equipment against different intrusions that may hamper its proper functioning.

Such intrusion includes dust, water, and solid particles.

How do you choose an Electrical Enclosure Manufacturer?

It is vital to check if a given manufacturer has the necessary accreditation to fabricate your control cabinet enclosure.

Working on the deadlines is key to ensuring your manufacturer delivers on time.

Another checking point is if they can deliver your electrical enclosures to your premises.

It will be an advantage to you in terms of easing your shipment burden.

A reliable manufacturer should provide you with all the details of your electrical enclosure and update you on the manufacturing process.

It is also essential to check on the quality of the electrical enclosures and if a given manufacturer offers a warranty for their enclosures.

What is the Economical way of Heating Control Cabinet Enclosure?

Proper heating of electrical control enclosure is essential for its proper function.

If there is no sufficient heating, different materials within your control cabinet enclosure will malfunction.

For instance, the metal parts lose their flexibility, and they become brittle.

This affects their ability to withstand explosive pressure and high impact.

Plastic becomes brittle when there is no sufficient temperature making them lose their ductility in extremely low temperatures, the plastic material buildup static energy, which is dangerous in a hazardous environment.

Exposing rubber is low temperature makes them lose their flexibility, which affects the tightening and sealing of the glands.

It is, therefore, for the control cable enclosure to have sufficient temperature for its optimum operation.

The following methods are effective in heating your control cabinet enclosure:

· Fan Heaters

They are the simplest form of heating your control cabinet enclosures.

It involves the passing of electrical current through the heating element, which creates heat.

As this happens, air from within the enclosure flows into the heating element using the fan.

It is this heat that warms up the air which circulates within the enclosure, thereby raising its temperature.

Electrical enclosure fan heater

· PTC Heaters

PTC (Positive temperature coefficient) use specialize in conductive materials.

The working of this heater is that it allows for current to pass through when the enclosure gets cold.

However, when the temperature starts increasing, the material begins inhibiting the current flow.

That is temperature increase results in an increase in the increase of the electrical resistance of the material.

This has the effect of limiting the current flow.

It is an effective method since it does not cause overheating of your control cabinet enclosure.

PTC heater for enclosure

· Explosion-proof Heaters

They use the traditional method to heat your control cabinet enclosure.

That is, cold air circulates the heater’s body, which raises its temperature.

As the air warms up, it becomes light causing it to rise and circulate within the control cabinet enclosure.

The process continues to make sure the control cabinet enclosure maintains the right temperature for its use.

These are the only heaters that you can comfortably use in a hazardous environment.

 Explosion proof heater for enclosures

Is there Size Limitation for Control Cabinet Enclosure?

No.

There is no size limit for a Control Cabinet Enclosure.

The Size of your Control Cabinet Enclosure Fan is dependent on the size of your control cabinet enclosure fan and the size of your application.

How do you Select Control Cabinet Enclosure Fan?

Selecting a proper fan for your control cabinet enclosure is vital for its efficient working.

You have to check on the following factors before deciding which control cabinet electrical enclosure fan to select.

Electrical enclosure fan

· Internal Heat Load

The internal heat load is the maximum heat output for each component in a control cabinet enclosure.

Adding these values gives you the maximum heat that your control cabinet enclosure uses.

This helps in finding the right fan to use.

· Heat Load Transfer

This is heat transfer between the control cabinet enclosure’s interior and the cold air on the outside adjacent to the enclosure.

Heat transfer takes place when the temperature of the interior of the enclosure is higher than the external temperature.

This results in a negative heat load transfer.

If the external environment has a higher temperature than the interior, it results in a positive heat load transfer.

How can you Manufacture Control Cabinet Enclosures?

The manufacturing process of a control cabinet enclosure is relatively easy.

This is due to the few manufacturing steps it involves.

These steps include:

· Cabinet Control Enclosure Laser Cutting

This process involves cutting the different parts of the cabinet control enclosure using a laser machine.

The use of a laser machine is encouraged for accurate cutting of these parts.

It also prevents scratching and blurring of the cabinet control enclosure.

· Cabinet Control Enclosure Welding

Welding involves the use of a welding machine to join parts of a cabinet control enclosure.

The welding process should be in line with the set standards.

Proper welding should ensure there is no interference between the enclosure and the external environment.

It also reinforces the sides of the cabinet control enclosure.

· Cabinet Control Enclosure Bending

Bending ensures accurate design offering a smooth surface that does not have any unnecessary bends.

There is a need for ensuring proper bending as per the measurement of the cabinet control enclosure design.

· Cabinet Control Enclosure Polishing

Polishing offers a clean and aesthetic appeal for your cabinet control enclosure Polishing.

Giving it a fresh paint while working on the surface smoothness makes it have an attractive appearance.

· Cabinet Control Enclosure Assembly

The assembling process involves tightening the different parts of the cabinet control enclosure using screws and nuts.

This way, the cabinet control enclosure functions as a unit

· Testing and Approving

You have to test and certify your cabinet control enclosure before using it.

Such a test determines the environmental conditions necessary for optimum functionality.

How many Electrical Enclosure Designs are there?

There are several designs for an electrical enclosure that you can select from.

The main designs include:

 Control cabinet enclosure

• Freestanding control cabinet enclosure
• Floor-mounted control cabinet enclosure
• Wall-mounted control cabinet enclosure
• Junction box control cabinet enclosure
• Recessed control cabinet enclosure

In addition to that, you can have a customized design for your control cabinet enclosure.

How do you Ventilate Electrical Enclosure Cabinet?

There are two main ways that you can use to ventilate your electrical enclosure cabinet.

They are:

Ventilation for electrical enclosure

· Natural Convection Ventilation

Natural convection ventilation utilizes heat transfer from the warmer regions to colder regions within your control cabinet enclosure.

This only takes place when the outside environment of your control cabinet enclosure is colder than the inside.

In this way, heat radiates from the enclosure through the walls to the outside environment.

As this happens, the internal temperature reduces to a level that is equal to that of the external environment.

Natural convection ventilation is a less costly and straightforward option for your control cabinet enclosure.

However, it is less effective since it is dependent on the temperature of the external environment.

This implies if the external temperature is higher, the control cabinet enclosure will not cool.

If this happens, there is a compromise on the efficiency of the performance of your control cabinet enclosure.

· Forced Convection Ventilation

Forced convection ventilation uses a fan or blower to force warm air out of your control cabinet enclosure.

It is important to note that whichever blower or fan you use, it should include a filter.

Remember, air flowing from the outside to the inside may have contaminants such as dust and dirt.

When these contaminants get in contact with the electrical components of your control cabinet enclosure, malfunctioning occurs.

A filter is, therefore, a vital component in filtering the air flowing into the control cabinet enclosure.

This method is relatively affordable and easy to install.

You can also control the volume of air flowing into the enclosure by adjusting the speed of the fan or blower.

However, it requires regular maintenance to remove the contaminants present in the fan or blower.

If this does not happen, dirt will accumulate on the blower or fan, which may hinder its proper functioning.

This causes dirt to enter into the electrical components.

Which Accessories do Control Cabinet Enclosures come with?

Accessories that come with a control cabinet enclosure are for facilitating its operation.

There is a wide range of accessories that you will find in a control cabinet enclosure, depending on its type and function.

The main accessories available are:

• Thermostats
• Cabinets lighting,
• Temperatures regulators
• Moisture regulators.
• Air conditioners for electrical enclosure closed-loop cooling systems
• Vents for control cabinet enclosure
• Heat exchange for control cabinet enclosure
• Control cabinet enclosure filters
• Control cabinet enclosure fans
• Window kits for control cabinet enclosure
• Gaskets for control cabinet enclosures
• Control cabinet enclosure latches and locking mechanisms
• Control cabinet louver system
• Control cabinet enclosure heaters
• Control cabinet enclosure backplates

Are there Customized Control Cabinet Enclosure?

Yes.

There are customized control cabinet enclosures.

These depend on the specifications of your control cabinet enclosure, including its size and application areas.

You need to hand these specifications to your manufacturer, who aligns them to international standards to ensure you have your customized control cabinet enclosure.

What is Free-Standing Control Cabinet Enclosure?

A freestanding control cable enclosure is one that consists of electrical components and can stand and operate alone.

This type does not require you to mount it on any supporting base.

Is there Voltage Rating for Control Cabinet Enclosure?

Yes. There is a voltage rating for the control cabinet enclosure, depending on the voltage consumption of your application.

You can have low voltage, high voltage, and medium voltage control cabinet enclosures.

Low voltage control cabinet enclosure handles a power supply of up to 600V.

The medium voltage control cabinet enclosure handles a power supply of between 600V and 69kV.

A High Voltage Control cabinet enclosure handles power supply of between 69kV and 230kV.

How can you Insulate Control Cabinet Enclosure?

There are two methods for insulating your control cabinet electrical enclosure.

That is thermal insulation and electrical insulation.

Thermal insulation insulates the control cable enclosure against heat loss.

Electrical insulation insulates the control cable enclosure against electric current loss.

The primary material for thermal insulation includes; polyisocyanurate foam and Polyurethane.

Electrical insulation involves the use of several materials, such as PVC.

 NEMA 12 Enclosure

Does Control Cabinet Enclosure have Windows?

Yes. You can have a window on your control cabinet enclosure.

They facilitate access to the control cabinet enclosure as well as allow for the circulation of air.

What is the Control Cabinet Electrical Enclosure Locking Mechanism?

These refer to mechanisms that protect and prevent unwanted personnel from gaining access to the control cabinet electrical enclosures.

Protection is vital if the enclosure is in a public place or a hazardous facility.

You can also use lock mechanisms on your control cabinet enclosures for security purposes.

Such locking mechanism includes; cam locks, key-lock handles, euro profile locks, key locks, and T-handle locks.

You must check on the design of your control cable enclosure and the security feature of a locking mechanism before purchasing it.

What causes Internal Temperature of Control Cabinet Enclosure to Increase?

The internal temperature of a control cabinet enclosure increases as it operates.

As it works, the individual components use energy and, in the process, emit a certain amount of heat.

It is this collective heat within the different components that cause an increase in the temperature of the control cabinet enclosure.

Is Control Cabinet Enclosure Safe?

Yes.

The control cabinet enclosure is safe for you in your application.

The manufacturing process takes into account the safety standards necessary before certification.

Furthermore, there are quality standards that a particular control cabinet enclosure has to pass through before purchasing.

These standards ensure the safety of the user, your application, and the environment.

Why Import Control Cabinet Enclosure from China?

China offers a wide variety and benefits to importers of control cabinet enclosures.

Most manufacturers in China are reliable in terms of meeting your orders.

You will also find most manufacturers in China are relatively cheaper than in other countries.

You can, therefore, get more for less.

When it comes to logistics, manufacturers offer accurate information on the shipping documents and cost you will incur.

Most manufacturers help when it comes to customization of control cabinet enclosures.

Depending on your specifications, you will get professional advice before the actual manufacturing of your control cabinet enclosures.

Do you need Air Conditioners for Control Cabinet Electrical Enclosure?

Yes.

An air conditioner is a vital component of a control cabinet enclosure.

An air conditioner helps in ensuring there is proper air circulation within the control cabinet enclosure.

Air circulation helps in maintaining the temperature of the control cabinet enclosure.

 Enclosure air conditioner

How do you Test Quality of Control Cabinet Enclosure?

There are several tests for ensuring the quality of your control cabinet enclosure.

The main tests are:

Efficiency tests which determine the cooling efficiency of the control cabinet enclosure.

Cooling is vital for optimum operation of the control cabinet enclosure.

The other test is the airflow efficiency test.

The airflow efficiency test determines how effective the enclosure is at allowing and controlling the flow of air.

It is essential to ensure there is adequate air circulation within the control cabinet enclosure.

How do you Choose Control Cabinet Enclosure Backplate?

The choice of which backplate to use depends on the type of cabinet control enclosure and the components you want to mount.

What Cable Management in Control Cabinet Enclosure?

Cable management refers to the proper handling of electrical cables and wires within the control cabinet enclosure.

It entails fixing the right cable in the right port and ensuring adequate sealing of unused cables.

Also, you need to check on the ratings of the cables to ensure they are of the right current load.

Can you Paint Control Cabinet Enclosure?

Control cabinet enclosure

Yes. It is possible to paint a cabinet control enclosure using the color of your choice.

However, you need to be cautious when painting.

For instance, while you can paint the inner part of your control cabinet enclosure, it is not advisable to paint the components within it.

You, therefore, have to cover these components when doing the painting.

Also, check on the type of paint you are using.

The paint should not react with your control cabinet enclosure.

An effective paint should be able to prevent rusting of your control cabinet enclosure.

With this information, I hope you can now choose a suitable control enclosure.

Well, if you still have a problem in choosing a suitable control cabinet enclosure; simply contact the KDMSteel team.