Non-Metallic Enclosures - Stahlin

The enclosures should be applied, installed and used only by qualified engineers, technicians or electricians knowledgeable of the standards, laws, regulations and ordinances associated with the respective application.

Specifications for Stahlin Fiberglass Enclosure Back Panel Construction Materials

Fiberglass
Enclosures are molded under heat and pressure with fiberglass reinforced polyester resin to produce superior chemical resistance in corrosive applications. The glass fiber reinforcement increases enclosure strength to withstand physical loads such as unexpected impacts or additional tensile loads.

Carbon Steel
A low carbon, rolled steel produced by passing bar stock through a set of rolls.

Stainless Steel
A highly corrosion resistant iron alloy containing between 12% and 25% chromium. The addition of nickel produces the Stainless Steel 3000 series. For superior corrosion resistance Stahlin utilizes both Type 304 and 316L Stainless Steel, which are non-magnetic. Type 316L, a low carbon Stainless steel, is harder and more corrosion resistant and is an excellent material for marine applications.

Aluminum
A lightweight metal that quickly forms a natural oxide layer to resist corrosion. Stahlin fabricates back panels from Type 5052 Aluminum, the highest strength non-heat treatable aluminum alloy recommended for marine applications.

Enclosure Selection Guidelines
The enclosure selection process includes the following five considerations:

1. Examination of the Application
   Industrial applications usually require strong and durable mechanical enclosures. Electronic and communication applications are more diverse, but space and security are usually more dominant considerations.
    
2. Environmental Protection
   The environment where the equipment will be located (i.e.outdoors, factory floor, office, laboratory, chemical plant, etc.) establishes the degree of protection required. The NEMA enclosure ratings provide the information needed to select an enclosure rating. The application environment is also a significant factor in specifying the enclosure material. Fiberglass is usually considered for more corrosive applications. Electromagnetic interference (EMI) and radio frequency interference (RFI) are additional environmental factors, which impact enclosure material selection and specification.
    
3. Space Requirements
   Space requirements include size and equipment arrangement as well as aesthetics. Accessory items such as windows, back panels, swingout panels, wiring terminals, EMI/RFI shielding and thermal control equipment also influence size and appearance.
    
4. Climate Control
   In electronic enclosure applications heat dissipation may be an important issue because technology advances continue to reduce component size. Smaller components increase heat generation by placing more components in the same enclosure volume. In some applications heaters may be required to prevent condensation.
    
5. Security
   The monetary value of equipment placed within enclosures has increased. Unauthorized access and operation of equipment can jeopardise the safety of personnel. Enclosure security can be enhanced by the selection of hinges, latches, locks and fasteners. The five steps in the enclosure selection process are not new, but numerous design options are available to meet a diversity of needs in each area. In addition many enclosures in this catalog can be modified to meet unique application requirements in a specific environment.

For more information on the range of Stahlin Non-Metallic Enclosures available, please click here.