FEATURE CASES & ENCLOSURES The plastic solution
The benefits offered by Spelsberg plastic enclosures are enabling their use in a diverse range of applications – from trackside locations to commercial greenhouses
W
ith cost cutting becoming ever more essential in many industries, new
component solutions are often being looked for. Take the rail industry as one example. Needing to reduce spending on trackside installations by around 20%, National Rail has switched to two-core cable in order to reduce thefts. However, as the cable offers no earthing capabilities, metal trackside enclosures may no longer be suitable as they can’t provide the extra insulation required, explains Spelsberg. To overcome the problem,
GRP (glass reinforced plastic) enclosures are being used. Not only is GRP cheaper, but it is easier to machine which means enclosure manufacturers can offer in-house customisation. Delivery costs also tend to be less as the enclosures are lighter. In addition, GRP enclosures offer other benefits. While metal enclosures are strong, an essential quality in a trackside enclosure, they are prone to denting which can then damage the protective coating, allowing
corrosion to occur. In addition, if the connection becomes compromised then the conductivity of the metal makes the enclosure itself a health and safety risk. A good quality GRP enclosure, however, will have a tensile strength that, while not equal to, is still comparable to its metal counterpart, yet it will not dent and is not at risk of corrosion should the paintwork get damaged. In addition, the material does not conduct electricity, meaning there is no risk of electrocution should anyone come into accidental contact with the enclosure.
ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL
GRP enclosures offer a robust solution for trackside applications
In a completely different application environment, Spelsberg electrical enclosures have been specified for a high tech environmental control system for a commercial greenhouse operated by one of the largest salad growers in the UK. Commercial greenhouse manufacturer,
CambridgeHOK, selected Spelsberg to supply all the electrical enclosures and
junction boxes required for the electrical and control systems. The production area is made up of
32 bays, in each of which the heating, ventilation, humidity, irrigation, lighting, solar shades, thermal shades and side screens are controlled. Every bay has its own local distribution board, made up of three Spelsberg enclosures mounted side by side below the raised beds or production tables so that they are easily accessible but out of the way of the growing plants. Most of the enclosures installed in the greenhouse are Spelsberg’s compact GTi and B Box models, both of which are made of high performance engineering plastic. The GTi enclosures, which are made from high-grade polycarbonate, are beneficial where moisture protection is especially high as they offer a corrosion-free alternative to steel boxes, and they are designed to be flexible and easily adapted to the requirements of the system in which they are used. With their modular design and open sides, they can be easily expanded or connected to adjacent GTi’s. The Spelsberg B Box design incorporates raised terminals, which makes installation quick and easy and also helps keep the wiring orderly and easily checked. In addition, the mounting is secure, a benefit in commercial greenhouses where operatives tend to focus on the crop yet work in close proximity to electrical systems.
Spelsberg els UK T: 01952 605849
www.spelsberg.co.uk
Enclosures from the smallest to the largest.
ENCLOSURES POWER DISTRIBUTION CLIMATE CONTROL
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