You already know when and where you need electrical enclosures, but you still have to choose the right enclosure for the right job. In some cases, the decision is made for you. Fire code, environmental conditions, or other factors might limit your options to a point of simplicity.
In plenty of other cases, though, multiple types of enclosures would all work fine. Getting the best box for the best price requires you to consider more angles.
At the top of the list is the enclosure material. There are times when building codes require you to use metal. There are times when metal is completely unviable, but if you’re in a case between the two, which should you choose?
Today, you can consider four ways that non-metallic enclosures can prevent maintenance issues and save you time and money.
Corrosion
One of the obvious advantages of using non-metallic enclosures is that they are less susceptible to corrosion. In fact, polycarbonate and fiberglass enclosures are resistant to many forms of deterioration over time. In any environment with moisture or corrosive elements, these enclosures last longer and require far less maintenance.
Compare that to metal enclosures that will need coatings to survive the same environments. Coatings cost money. tHey have to be reapplied, meaning you get consistent labor costs to go with the upkeep.
Thermal Stability
Another major advantage of going non-metal is thermal stability. Metals, by their nature, conduct heat very well. THis is why they get hot to the touch in warm temperatures and cold to the touch in cool temperatures. Since enclosures house electric components, they tend to process a lot of heat.
Non-metal enclosures typically manage this heat better. As a result you get less wear and tear on the internal components related to excess heat exposure. That means fewer replacements over time, less overall maintenance, and another aspect of savings.
Time
Even if you had a case where a metal and non-metal enclosure needed the exact same maintenance schedule, working with non-metal enclosures is usually faster and easier. You can see this during installation where customizing non-metals takes less time, energy, and effort. It also doesn’t require specialized tools.
That holds true if you need to make a custom adjustment sometime after installation. Working with non-metals is still easier as the materials lend themselves to adjustments more easily.
This extends over the life of the enclosure and beyond — as replacement times are still faster and easier for the non-metal enclosures if and when they do need to be replaced.
Money
Lastly, non-metal enclosures usually cost less per unit. You save money with the initial purchase, and this once again extends itself well across time. Naturally, replacement units cost less when the occasion calls for it. Similarly, non-metal accessories usually cost less too, allowing you to adapt them to changing needs over time while spending less money.
In general, non-metal enclosures provide returns on multiple fronts. They face less wear, manage heat better, require less time and effort when you do work with them, and they cost less in terms of raw materials. You can save at every turn with non-metal electrical enclosures.
