Switchgear and control gear encompass all electrical components and devices required to activate, deactivate and protect electrical equipment and its consumers. 

They are the cornerstone of every electrical system across industries, so it’s important to ensure you select the best enclosure and thermal management system to maximise performance and longevity. These are used to ensure the safety and functionality of systems and protect against external factors such as dust, water, weather and other contaminants.

Enclosure systems and thermal solutions must offer the flexibility to expand, adapt and integrate into diverse environments. So, how can you choose the right solution for your application? Find out in this Preferred Spares guide.

 

Selecting the best enclosure and thermal solution for industrial applications

There are many factors to take into consideration when defining the best enclosure system, including the protection of equipment and people, the thermal management system and the profitability of the solution you choose.

Enclosures are designed to protect any equipment installed inside against external factors and to prevent accidental contact with electrical equipment. These external factors include weather and temperature conditions such as rain, snow, ice, wind, humidity and excessive heat as well as other environmental factors like dust, salt, chemicals, fauna, flora, vandalism and burglary. These solutions are also used to protect people from electrical accidents in public areas, non-segregated private areas and segregated private areas.

 

The thermal management system is implemented to ensure the control of temperature and humidity inside the enclosure and must be chosen based on environment diagnostic and calculating the parameters to define the most suitable architecture.

When choosing the ideal enclosure for your industrial application, it’s important to consider several questions. This will help to ensure you can overcome mounting challenges, increase flexibility, reduce downtime and decrease your overall energy and utility costs.

• What equipment is the enclosure required to protect?
• What immediate environmental concerns are there? Are corrosive gas, liquid or dust particles present?
• Is the equipment exposed to manufacturing process byproducts?
• What temperature will the enclosure be exposed to?
• How much do the housed components weigh?
• Are there any spatial requirements?
• Is the enclosure accessed by many people?

Answering these questions will provide you with the direction you need to make an informed decision. Then it’s important to consider the following:

Design

Consider whether the design of the enclosure means it can be configured with the engineering tools you have at hand, and whether or not it is future-proofed to support Industry 4.0 processes and IIoT capabilities.

 

Versatility

Ensure that the material of the enclosure you choose is suitable for the application’s environment. Consider questions regarding height, width and depth to ensure it fits your spatial constraints and make sure to ask about compatibility with other systems and accessories to facilitate scalability moving forward.

 

Assembly

Do parts need to be ordered separately or is any additional sealing required? Be sure to ask for an installation demonstration to make certain that the solution is flexible and simple to install. Take care of specifics like cable entry options, gland plates, additional earthing and mounting.

 

Reliability

Before investing in a solution, consider whether the enclosure offers stability and rigidity to support the application. Look for a high-protection material to ensure it can withstand environmental conditions. Be sure the solution has undergone a comprehensive quality check and has been inspected by third-party testing laboratories. 

 

Material selection

The material of the enclosure will impact the lifespan and functionality of the components housed inside. There are various materials available, so it pays to know the advantages and disadvantages of each. For instance, some enclosure materials offer greater corrosion resistance than others.

Painted carbon steel is a robust solution for industrial environments, but is more often used in indoor applications due to its limited resistance to solvents, alkalis and acids. 

Stainless steel provides protection against corrosive solvents, alkalis and most acids and is often used in indoor and outdoor applications.

Insulating polyester and plastic materials are often used to protect electrical installations which are directly exposed to sunlight, rain, extreme temperatures, chemical and corrosive agents, and those which are housed in public.

 

Discover the range of enclosure and thermal management solutions from Preferred Spares

As one of the leading providers for industrial hardware and electrical component spare parts in the Middle East, Preferred Spares offers a range of enclosures and accessories from the world’s leading manufacturers such as Schneider. Whether you’re building an enclosure from scratch or need a specific part, you can find everything you need to safely house your industrial equipment with Preferred Spares.

 

 

Contact us today to explore the catalogue and find everything you need.