Feature: Enclosures
regularly operate, inspect, or repair said equipment. Just as common, certain application will need to meet specific
industry safety standards. Tese standards have a huge impact on what quarter-turns can be used, as they can determine locking, material, and dimensional requirements.
2. What are the security and ergonomic requirements? Next, you have to consider the physical application in which the quarter- turn is to be installed. Tere are 3 questions you should consider: • How will the quarter-turn be operated? • How will the panel or door that the quarter-turn is attached to move? • Is there another handle to assist in opening the enclosure? Quarter-turn latches can be opened with a simple twisting motion
by hand, or with a custom key, depending on your preference however in secure environments, it is most common to limit enclosure access to only authorised individuals. While a basic quarter-turn can meet basic security requirements,
it can also be used in conjunction with various locking mechanisms, whether they be simple or more advanced, for additional security.
3. In what environment will the quarter-turn be used? Now that you’ve thought about security and space in the enclosure, you need to consider the physical environment that the enclosure exists in. Tis is a critical question when considering the general strength and construction of the quarter-turn, as it will greatly affect the choice of material. You need to think about how frequently the latch will be used, as well
as the weather conditions the latch may have to face, such as sun and wind exposure. If a latch has to withstand tougher weather conditions or great amounts of force during its intended normal operation, then we recommend selecting a quarter-turn made of a stronger material like stainless steel or zinc.
4. Is consumer preference a factor in choosing your quarter-turn? How is it going to look, when it’s all said and done? Let’s be honest, consumers care less about the internal components of a lock, and more about the aesthetics of the entire knob. Will the quarter-turn be visible to the customer? If so, is there a certain aesthetic they prefer?
5. Is my supplier established and trustworthy? Tis is the last and (arguably) most important question you should consider when selecting a quarter-turn. It is critical to work with a supply team who has experience in the
application of enclosure hardware and are backed by a manufacturer who is respected and established, so as to best identify the specific needs of your application – especially where it is necessary to carry out a measure of customisation. A major part of selecting your quarter turn lies in matching your
requirements with the very large selection of specialist standard items made available, since someone somewhere has probably had a requirement the same as, or very similar to your own. Tis has led to the offering of “standard specials” such as wing format handle or wing knob designs which facilitate improved manual operation on small, e.g., wall
mounting enclosures, or may be used in pairs for larger cabinet doors in place of a more complex rod lock system. Availability is in zinc die with chrome or black finish, as well as the
stainless-steel variants in both standard and mini sizes. Tese AISI 316 items provide protection up to IP65 and are suited to outdoor or arduous environments. Many quarter turns are offered with compression features and with
visual status indication for installations where nuisance opening is potentially an issue, or where it may be important to tell if a lock is open or closed at a glance, e.g., in railway or special service vehicle use. Our own team prides themselves on a long and in-depth history of supply partnership with the specialist panel industry, such as high-quality manufacturers which enables us to assist with small or large quantity requirements and international logistics. Te available range includes quarter turn designs for enclosures and
cabinets located in washdown or external applications where they offer enhanced gasket compression to ensure optimal sealing performance, plus the compression function is inherently resistant to vibration induced loosening which can otherwise cause nuisance opening. Tis feature is especially useful on vehicles of all types where secure closure is critical. Many compression latches also incorporate visual position indicators
as required e.g., for rail applications. Hygiene design requirements are catered for with approved blue sealing and crevice free styling executed with a highly polished surface. Te ability to visually check latching status is especially important with
quarter-turn locks/latches which are generally small and round without positional reference, unless specifically added in manufacture – unlike L or T handles or swinghandles whose positional status can readily be seen by virtue of their operation. Designed especially for use in hygiene defined areas classically designed quarter turns in AISI 316L with or without cylinder key locking mechanism, are used in hygiene areas of food, pharmaceutical, medical, laboratory and related industries, where it is important to manage and minimise the accumulation of biological material – by design, by manufacturing quality and by pressure washdown. Tey are suited to stainless steel or plastic enclosures/cabinets for machine controls or power management and are vibration resistant for vehicle or machinery applications. Sealing is with red or blue FDA conforming silicone washers and “O” rings – locking is by means of SW13 style insert to ensure easy cleaning. We have noticed that in the past thirty years or so electronic devices
have almost completely replaced electrical controls and yet the type and style of housing have remained remarkably constant through that time. Looking at housings for these electronic assemblies the trend has been that security needs have grown to accommodate the more sophisticated controls and their associated risk of data theſt, which has become a factor with digital equipment that simply was not there in the past. In addition, the internal equipment itself is more vulnerable to physical damage from unauthorised access, so that today there is a greater need than ever for small quarter turns, special coded locks or keys, concealed hinges, gasket profiles in small sections for boxes and small enclosures, or in large sections for bigger cabinets. FDB Panel Fittings and sister company FDB Electrical share their
online shopping website at
www.fdbonline.co.uk. Further information on FDB products and services may be found at:
www.fdb.co.uk.
www.electronicsworld.co.uk Dec 2024/Jan 2025 25
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