Electrical Cabinets
Electrical cabinets are boxes that protect electronic assemblies from dust, water and accidental contact. Also known as electrical enclosures, these cabinets house electrical conduits, connections and switches as well as other integral components of a circuit. Electrical cabinets are rectangular boxes that range from about half a foot to over 5 feet tall in varying depths and widths.
Electrical cabinets are typically made out of aluminum or stainless steel, though plastics such as polycarbonate polystyrene or acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) are options as well. Tall cabinets may require a door or body stiffener for strength. Electrical cabinets are usually found in the lower levels or utility rooms of buildings and residences but can be found on street corners or partially hidden by landscaping in a park, for example. They are also widely used in practically every industry, protecting circuit breakers, operations switches and connections that would otherwise be exposed. Read More…
Leading Manufacturers
Equipto Electronics Corporation
Aurora, IL | 800-204-7225We are committed to excellence and our innovations in enclosure technology is an example of our commitment. Our unparalleled electronic enclosures are specialized for various tasks and our facility is ISO 9001:2008 certified & RoHS compliant.
Maysteel Industries, LLC
Allenton, WI | 262-251-1632Maysteel specializes in designing, engineering, and manufacturing custom sheet metal enclosures, cabinets, kiosks, and racks. Our team members are versed in both EMI and RFI containment to keep your electronic components safe.
OKW Enclosures, Inc.
Bridgeville, PA | 800-965-9872OKW is a leading manufacturer of plastic and metal enclosures for OEM electronics equipment. Our US program includes the OKW and METCASE™ product lines, plus some complementary products. This combination allows us to offer our customers a truly comprehensive range of enclosures.
EMCOR® Enclosures
Rochester, MN | 507-216-9386EMCOR® Enclosures is a modular enclosure manufacturer and makes related component items as well. We produce electrical enclosures, electronic enclosures, NEMA enclosures, metal enclosures plus standard, modified standard or custom enclosures. We have 50+ years in the business.
Fibox Enclosures
Glen Burnie, MD | 888-342-6987Fibox Enclosure Systems is one of the largest enclosure manufacturers in the world and is the market leader in thermoplastic enclosures used for protecting electrical and electronic components in hostile and hazardous environments.
Electrical Cabinets – Equipto Electronics CorporationThe cabinets are generally made from cold rolled steel with continuously welded seams. After receiving a finish such as a powder coating, the knockouts, doors and handles are added. Accessories such as shelves or drawers are optional but can be useful, depending on the application. Warning labels and locking mechanisms deter vandalism and tampering.
Some cabinets stand on the floor while smaller models have mounting holes in the back for fasteners to directly mount the enclosure to the wall; other cabinets have external mounting feet for a complete seal and maximum protection from contaminants. Electrical cabinets are certified and rated by NEMA, the National Electrical Manufacturers Association, the IP Code (International Protection Rating) and by UL, the Underwriters Laboratories.
Requirements and standards help keep workers and technicians safe besides effectively communicating the specifications of electrical cabinets to interested buyers. For example, a cabinet with a NEMA Type 1 certification is rated for indoor use in a non-hazardous situation with the main purpose of preventing accidental contact. A rating of IP 66 means that the enclosure is totally protected from dust and against temporary flooding of water.
Another threat that electrical cabinets protect their contents from is electromagnetic interference (EMI, also known as radio frequency interference, or RFI) which is a disturbance that affects electrical circuitry due to electromagnetic radiation or conduction from an external source. Special coatings are available to shield an enclosure's contents from EMI/RFI.