• • • ENCLOSURES • • •
Tough, Versatile and Elegant: Specifying Advanced Enclosures for Building Services Electronics
It’s no coincidence that some enclosures for building services electronics were originally designed for even tougher applications in factories. So they must be rugged, watertight, functional and versatile
customer-facing locations. So they must be smart and discreet, as well as sturdy and dependable. Designers of building services electronics can profit from two trends that have taken root on the 21st century factory floor. The first is that robust plastic enclosures are increasingly being specified in locations traditionally reserved for metal housings. And the second is that the enclosures must look good – a world away from the prosaic boxes they have superseded.
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Challenging locations usually mean specifying enclosures with good impact resistance. Housings such as OKW’s SOLID-BOX are rated IK 08: they will withstand up to five joules, equivalent to a 1.7 kg object being dropped from 300 mm. Ingress protection is also crucial. IP 66 safeguards against temporary flooding (test duration three minutes, 100 litres/minute, 100 kPa at a distance of three metres). IP 67 enclosures can withstand immersion for 30 minutes in water 150 to 1,000 mm deep.
But that protection can be compromised if the lid has to be opened during installation or removal. So it is worth specifying a housing that has separate channels for the cover and mounting screws, enabling it to be installed ‘lid closed’. SOLID-BOX (IP 66/IP 67) meets all these criteria. And its fixings are hidden beneath flush-fit snap-on trims, underscoring its aesthetic credentials.
ut the idea that these housings will be hidden away in service corridors is a fallacy: they can often be found in
The choice of plastic is important too. Tried-and- trusted ABS may not be enough. UV-stable ASA is a good choice, as is an ASA+PC blend for added strength. A PC+ABS blend is also very strong. Gleaming white ASA+PC (UL 94 V-0) is the plastic of choice for SMART-PANEL, an elegant and understated enclosure that fits standard flush-mount/cavity wall boxes. Its large operating area and narrow frame make it ideal for touch screens and keypads. Snap-together construction ensures rapid installation and deters tampering. Fast-fit convenience is also essential for sensor enclosures because large and technologically advanced buildings have so many of them. Models such as MINI-DATA-BOX (IP 65) rise to this challenge by being equipped with optional flanges that allow it to be cable-tied or screwed in place. The ‘diamond-cut’ bevelled lid reduces weight and adds cachet.
All these models illustrate a growing trend in customisable standard enclosures: they must be suited to highly specialised roles, and yet remain adaptable. It’s a fine balancing act. The enclosures must have all the features required for a key application – and yet still be suitable for other tasks. And all the while they must be attractive, while not being so distinctive that they overshadow the product they’re protecting. SMART-CONTROL (IP 55) is a case in point. It’s extremely unusual because it’s a wedge-shaped enclosure for corner-mounted electronics. But it’s also suitable for desktop duties, offering users an
12 ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING • OCTOBER 2024
ergonomic 45° angle for viewing and operation. The key to this is a desktop stand set, which is available as an accessory. OKW Enclosures Ltd marketing director Robert Cox says: “Accessories are an important aspect of specifying the right enclosure – as are the various customisation options available. So it’s important to look beyond the headline specifications of a standard enclosure and see what else it has to offer.” Furthermore, today’s building services systems frequently involve menu-driven electronics with ‘click-to-okay’ control and functionality: one main potentiometer at the heart of the system. This can mean specifying more advanced tuning knobs, preferably illuminated because buildings need to be controlled 24/7/365 – even if they’re not occupied around the clock.
This requirement has contributed to the development of advanced models such as STAR- KNOBS and award-winning CONTROL-KNOBS which both feature energy-saving 5 V SMD LED illumination in different colours.
Customisation options for enclosures and knobs collectively include machining, printing, laser marking, lacquering, decor foils, special materials, EMC shielding and installation/assembly of accessories. Partnering with a manufacturer that does all the work in-house ensures quality – and saves time and money. For more information, view the OKW website:
https://www.okw.co.uk/en/Applications/Security- Building-services-systems.htm
electricalengineeringmagazine.co.uk
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