Choosing the Right Enclosure: How-to Guide

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How to choose enclosures. A variety of metal and non-metal enclosures, rated NEMA 1, 3, 3R, 3S, 4, 4X, 6, 6P, 12 or 13, are available in wall-mount, floor-mount and freestanding form factors from Steeline Enclosures. Styles include general purpose, custom, disconnect and pushbutton enclosures, as well as operator consoles.

Many door and window configurations and latch/lock options are available. NEMA enclosures meet the National Electrical Manufacturers Association standards for performance and protection of the electrical equipment installed within them. NEMA enclosures range in size from small pushbutton boxes to room-size panels. Enclosures are given a NEMA rating according to the types of applications the enclosure serves.

NEMA enclosures house a number of different electrical components from simple terminal blocks, to industrial automation systems, to high voltage switchgear.

In industrial automation systems, NEMA enclosures often house motor controls, drives, PLC/PC control systems, pushbuttons, and termination systems. Some enclosures are configured to be operator consoles, while others are designed with flanges for mounting disconnects. So how do you choose the right application for the job at hand?

How to choose enclosures. Here&#;s a quick guide:

Step 1: Where&#;s it Going?

Your enclosure&#;s primary function is to protect the equipment inside it from the surrounding environment, right? Well, you need to do some thorough recon on the environment in which the enclosure will be located, and select the appropriate level of protection.

An enclosure&#;s level of protection is defined by its NEMA rating (type 1, 3, 3R, 3S, 4, 4X, 6, 6P, 12 or 13). Although it may seem like a good idea, don&#;t over-specify the protection level of your enclosure, it&#;s just as bad as under-specifying. Why? The protection level typically increases the cost of the enclosure.

Step 2: How Secure Should it Be?

Steeline Enclosures wants to ensure and protect the contents within your enclosure from unauthorized access to the components it houses. We have a variety of options from screw and lift-off covers to single-door clamps.

Let Steeline Enclosures know ahead of time what your concerns are so we can help you reach your custom enclosure needs. Although we do offer all standard NEMA rated enclosures, we do utilize a custom enclosure plan that creates enclosures to your exact specifications.

Step 3: How Big?

What do you got in there?

Physical space for your components is not the only requirement. Considerations like heat dissipation and venting must be taken into account.

To get an idea of the right size of your enclosure, measure the height and width of your enclosure by laying out the footprint space needed for your control components on a standard subpanel size. Do not forget to consider any mounting holes for the subpanel. The size of the enclosure will determine if you need a single-door, two-door, freestanding, or wall-mount.

What about the depth?

The subpanel mounting takes up a small portion of the depth, so pushbuttons, operator interfaces, indicators, meters, etc., that you plan to mount on the enclosure door will occupy enclosure depth as well. Make sure you are taking into account all elements and measurements of your enclosure before nailing down the depth.

Heat Dissipation

Do you have an estimate of component sizes or heat generation? By rule of thumb, it&#;s better to oversize the enclosure when you have the available space, rather the undersize, if you are planning for heat dissipation or component expansion.

Step 4: Do You Need Climate Control?

Your enclosure must be able to dissipate the heat generated by the components inside of it either alone, or by adding a cooling device.

Some people choose to side-step additional cooling by upsizing their enclosure to increase the surface area through which heat is transferred to the atmosphere (but again, this is expensive if not measured correctly).

The heat dissipation method selected must be compatible with the enclosure&#;s NEMA rating.

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For applications that call for effective, energy-efficient cooling and heating, Steeline offers customers the option of climate control accessories made by Pfannenberg USA, a leading provider of thermal management solutions for electronic enclosures.

include UL Type 12 fans and louvers, 3R fan and louver shrouds, thermostats, hydrostats, heaters with thermostats, UL Type 12, 3R, 4, and 4X air conditioners and air to water heat exchangers.

In addition, Steeline designs and manufactures a custom 304 stainless steel enclosure, with a protection level of UL type 3R, to safely house indoor electrical equipment in outdoor environments.

For some applications, a louver plate will provide adequate heat dissipation, a fan kit and louver combination is the next viable ventilation option, but for small enclosures, a vortex cooler (such as the climate control accessories made by Pfannenberg USA) are your best bet.

A sealed enclosure may require a heat exchanger or an air conditioner controlling the internal temperature without introducing outside air and its contaminants.

Do you have questions, comments, or concerns on how to choose enclosures? Don&#;t worry! Give Steeline Enclosures a call and let us help you find the perfect custom enclosure to fit your needs.

How to choose enclosures. A variety of metal and non-metal enclosures, rated NEMA 1, 3, 3R, 3S, 4, 4X, 6, 6P, 12 or 13, are available in wall-mount, floor-mount and freestanding form factors from Steeline Enclosures. Styles include general purpose, custom, disconnect and pushbutton enclosures, as well as operator consoles.

Many door and window configurations and latch/lock options are available. NEMA enclosures meet the National Electrical Manufacturers Association standards for performance and protection of the electrical equipment installed within them. NEMA enclosures range in size from small pushbutton boxes to room-size panels. Enclosures are given a NEMA rating according to the types of applications the enclosure serves.

NEMA enclosures house a number of different electrical components from simple terminal blocks, to industrial automation systems, to high voltage switchgear.

In industrial automation systems, NEMA enclosures often house motor controls, drives, PLC/PC control systems, pushbuttons, and termination systems. Some enclosures are configured to be operator consoles, while others are designed with flanges for mounting disconnects. So how do you choose the right application for the job at hand?

At Atrenne, we understand the critical role a chassis enclosure plays in the success of your electronic systems. For over 50+ years, we&#;ve been a leading innovator in designing and manufacturing high-performance chassis solutions for a wide range of applications. Our commitment to quality and cutting-edge technology ensures that every Atrenne chassis provides the perfect blend of durability, thermal management, and ease of use.

Whether you&#;re deploying mission-critical, military grade C5ISR systems, performance-critical servers in a data center or building a powerful workstation for a research lab, Atrenne has the expertise to deliver a solution that meets your specific needs. Our team of engineers leverages the latest advancements in materials science and manufacturing processes to craft enclosures that are lightweight yet robust, offering superior protection for your sensitive equipment.

But it&#;s not just about the physical form factor. At Atrenne, we understand that your choice of chassis needs to seamlessly integrate with the internal architecture of your system. That&#;s why our chassis solutions are designed to support a variety of industry-standard architectures, including:

• OpenVPX: A high-performance architecture ideal for demanding applications in defense and aerospace.
• SOSA (Sensor Open Systems Architecture): A standardized architecture mandated for future defense systems, ensuring interoperability and reducing development costs.
• VME (Versa Module Eurocard) and VME64x: Established architectures offering a wide range of modules for various industrial and embedded computing applications.
• CompactPCI: A compact and versatile architecture well-suited for industrial control, data acquisition, and telecommunications systems.

By offering compatibility with these leading architectures, Atrenne empowers you to choose the best combination of chassis and internal components to achieve optimal performance for your specific needs.

Unveiling the Different Types of Chassis

At Atrenne, we offer a comprehensive assortment of chassis solutions, each meticulously designed to address the unique needs of various applications. Here&#;s a glimpse into some of the most widely sought-after chassis types:

1. Rackmount Chassis Enclosures:
   • Features: Rackmount chassis enclosures are designed for installation within standardized racks in defense platforms, data centers, network closets, and server rooms. They are available in various sizes, measured in &#;U&#; units, to accommodate a multitude of equipment configurations. Rackmount chassis enclosures boast exceptional sturdiness, ventilation, and cable management features, making them ideal for housing mission-critical servers, networking equipment, and data storage systems.
     
   • Applications: Rackmount chassis enclosures are the go-to choice for shipboard, high-density IT environments that necessitate optimal space utilization and streamlined organization. They are extensively employed in data centers, colocation facilities, and enterprise server rooms.
     
2. Lab Development Chassis:
   • Features: Designed to offer unparalleled flexibility and accessibility, lab development chassis enclosures are perfect for prototyping, testing, and development environments. They typically feature removable panels, enabling easy access to internal components for modifications and configurations. Additionally, they may incorporate features like built-in power supplies and cooling systems to streamline the development process.
   • Applications: Lab development chassis enclosures are well-suited for research institutions, universities, and development labs where frequent hardware modifications and customizations are commonplace.
     

3. ATR (Air Transport Rack) Chassis:
   • Features: ATR chassis enclosures adhere to a specific military standard, making them suitable for rugged environments and mission-critical applications. They are engineered to withstand extreme temperatures, vibrations, and EMI/RFI interference, ensuring reliable operation in harsh conditions.

• Applications: ATR chassis enclosures are commonly used in defense, aerospace, and space applications that demand exceptional durability and unwavering performance under duress.
  

4. Small Form Factor (SFF) Chassis:
   • Features: SFF chassis enclosures are compact and lightweight, making them ideal for space-constrained environments or applications where portability is a priority. Despite their diminutive size, they can still accommodate essential computer components like motherboards, processors, and storage drives.
   • Applications: SFF chassis enclosures are well-suited for edge computing  and workstations in limited-space settings.

Atrenne &#; Your Trusted Partner for All Your Chassis Needs

Selecting the appropriate chassis enclosure is a crucial decision, impacting the performance, longevity, and overall user experience of your electronic systems. At Atrenne, we go beyond simply offering a variety of chassis options. Our team of experts is here to guide you through the selection process, ensuring you choose the perfect enclosure to optimize your system&#;s functionality.

In addition to our standard chassis solutions, Atrenne also provides a range of customization options to cater to unique application requirements. We can modify chassis designs to integrate specific features, accommodate non-standard components, and ensure seamless integration within your existing infrastructure.

Explore our website to discover the complete range of Atrenne chassis solutions, or contact our sales representatives today to discuss your specific requirements and receive personalized recommendations. We are confident that Atrenne has the perfect chassis solution to empower your electronic systems for success.

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