Enclosures
Use thick-walled corrosion- resistant enclosures for marine and harsh environments
By Rolf Horn, applications engineer, DigiKey L
iving next to a busy port has given me a firsthand appreciation for the challenges posed by marine environments. Saltwater relentlessly eats away at the
infrastructure, dust kicked up by trucks and trains settles into every crevice, and liquids from oil to coolant are just one spill away from causing catastrophic damage. Protecting electronics in conditions like these is no easy task, but enclosures like the 1590Z series from Hammond Manufacturing are up to the job. These thick-walled, die-cast aluminium enclosures meet demanding IP and NEMA ratings while maintaining a design optimized for repeated access. They are suitable for a wide range of applications from marine instrumentation to industrial control systems.
Understanding IP and NEMA environmental ratings Before diving into the specifications of the 1590Z series, it’s worth looking at the ingress protection (IP) and National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA)
Figure 2: The 1590Z series is available with smooth gray (1590Z060GY, left) or textured black (1590Z060BK, right) powder-coat finishes. (Image source: Hammond Manufacturing)
Figure 1: The 1590Z060 is a compact bare-aluminium enclosure measuring 50.00 × 45.00 × 30.00 mm. (Image source: Hammond Manufacturing)
● IP66: Dust-tight and protected against powerful water jets
● IP67: Dust-tight and protected against temporary immersion in water
● IP68: Dust-tight and protected against continuous immersion in water
environmental ratings used to characterize these enclosures.
IP ratings are an international system that focuses on protecting against dust and water. Some common IP ratings include: ● IP54: Limited protection against dust ingress and protected against water splashes from any direction
● IP65: Dust-tight and protected against water jets from any direction (minimum rating typically considered “water-tight”)
NEMA ratings are primarily used in North America and encompass broader environmental considerations, including corrosion resistance. Some common NEMA ratings include: ● NEMA 4/4X: Protection against rain, sleet, snow, splashing water, and hose- directed water; NEMA 4X adds corrosion resistance
● NEMA 6/6P: Protection against temporary (6) or prolonged (6P) submersion in water
● NEMA 12/13: Designed for indoor use with protection against dust, falling dirt, and non-corrosive liquids; NEMA 13 adds protection against oil and coolant seepage
Die-cast aluminium enclosures built for harsh environments The 1590Z series enclosures from Hammond Manufacturing have been designed to meet demanding requirements. These die-cast aluminium boxes with thick walls have been independently tested and certified to meet a wide range of environmental ratings, including IP66, IP67, and IP68, as well as NEMA types 4, 4X, 6, 6P, 12, and 13. Mechanical durability is another hallmark of the series. Most models meet the IK08 impact rating, as specified in IEC 62262, which protects against accidental collisions and rough handling. In addition, most are UL 508 listed, making them suitable for use in industrial control equipment. The 1590Z product line spans a broad range of sizes. On the smaller end is the 1590Z060 (Figure 1). Measuring 50.00 × 45.00 × 30.00 millimetres (mm), this unfinished enclosure is well-suited for compact devices and space-constrained installations.
The 1590Z series features a two-piece tongue-and-groove design with a silicone
36 July/August2026
Components in Electronics
www.cieonline.co.uk
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