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The 4 factors for choosing an electrical enclosure

15 April 2024

1. Final application of the electrical enclosure

Stainless steel electrical enclosures are a reliable and versatile solution for a wide range of industrial and commercial applications. Their intended use varies according to the specific needs of each sector.

In the food and pharmaceutical industries, for example, stainless steel electrical enclosures are essential to ensure the safety and hygiene of production facilities. Thanks to their corrosion resistance and ease of cleaning, they are ideal for environments subject to strict regulations and hygiene standards.

In the marine and naval sector, stainless steel electrical enclosures are used for applications exposed to the weather and saline environment. The corrosion resistance of AISI 316L stainless steel makes them particularly suitable for extreme environmental conditions, ensuring reliable operation even in aggressive marine environments.

In the industrial sector, stainless steel electrical enclosures are used in contexts where high mechanical and chemical resistance is required. They can be used in applications such as power control and distribution in chemical, petrochemical and renewable energy plants.

The sectors we work with >

2. Type of steel to make the electrical enclosure

When it comes to electrical enclosures, choosing the right material is crucial to ensure optimal performance and durability.

Of the various options available on the market, the AISI 300 series stainless steels, commonly known as austenitic stainless steels, offer an excellent combination of corrosion resistance, machinability and reliability, making them a popular choice for applications in a variety of industries.

AISI 304 and AISI 316 stainless steels are two of the most common and versatile alloys in the stainless steel family. Their 'L' variants (304L and 316L) have greater resistance to intergranular corrosion and ease of welding due to their reduced carbon content, which is present in a concentration of up to 1%.

Both AISI 304 and AISI 316 offer excellent resistance to atmospheric corrosion, corrosion from corrosive liquids and various chemical solutions. They are also non-magnetic and can be easily welded, machined and cleaned, making them ideal for applications requiring a combination of mechanical properties, corrosion resistance and ease of processing.

The wide availability of product shapes and sizes, together with their reliability and durability, makes AISI 300 stainless steels a preferred choice for electrical enclosures for a wide range of industries, including food, pharmaceutical, chemical, petrochemical, marine and many others.

OUR STAINLESS STEEL

AISI 304 and 304L stainless steel

AISI 304 stainless steel, containing about 18% chromium and 8% nickel, is one of the most popular and versatile in the AISI 300 series and is characterised by high corrosion resistance in normal and moderately corrosive environments. It offers good machinability, facilitating the production of even complex components.

Its low-carbon version (AISI 304L) is preferred in applications involving high-temperature welding processes.

AISI 316 and 316L stainless steel

AISI 316 stainless steel is a variation of 304, enriched with a higher amount of molybdenum (about 2-3%), which gives it greater resistance to corrosion, particularly in marine environments and with high chloride concentrations. This alloy is therefore particularly suitable for electrical enclosures installed near coastlines, ships and marine environments.

AISI 316L is its low-carbon counterpart, which, like AISI 304L, reduces the risk of intergranular corrosion during welding, while maintaining the high corrosion resistance of AISI 316.

3. Required certifications for electrical enclosures

The electrical industry is governed by strict regulations to ensure the safety, reliability and compliance of electrical enclosures. Certifications are essential to prove that products meet certain quality and safety standards, and some of the main ones required for electrical enclosures include:

CE / UKCA MARKINGS

CE marking: certifies that the electrical enclosure complies with the essential health and safety requirements of the applicable European directives. It is compulsory for the marketing of products in the European Union.
UKCA marking (UK Conformity Assessed): is the new conformity marking required for products destined for the UK market.

UL / CSA CERTIFICATIONS

UL (Underwriters Laboratories) certification: UL is one of the most internationally recognised certification organisations. Electrical enclosures bearing the UL mark have been tested and evaluated to ensure compliance with safety standards set in the USA and other countries.
CSA certification (Canadian Standards Association): similarly to UL, CSA is a certification organisation that certifies the conformity of products with the safety standards established in Canada and other countries.

ISO CERTIFICATIONS AND CEI EN REGULATIONS

ISO certifications: ISO 9001 for the quality management system, ISO 14001 for the environmental management system and ISO 45001 for occupational health and safety, are certifications confirming that the manufacturing company follows procedures and practices that conform to international standards.
All IRINOX products also comply with the CEI EN 62208 standard on hollow enclosures for low-voltage switchgear and controlgear assemblies, and meet the EN 60529 and EN 62262 standards, which establish a protection rating system for electrical equipment enclosures against solids, liquids and external mechanical impacts.

AtEx Certifications

In addition, depending on the specific application, further industry-specific certifications may be required.

AtEx (Atmosphères Explosibles) certification: this is essential for electrical enclosures intended for use in potentially explosive environments and certifies that the electrical enclosure complies with specific safety standards to prevent and limit the risk of explosions in environments such as chemical, petrochemical, petroleum, pharmaceutical, food and other industries.

IRINOX products comply with the ATEX 2014/34/EU directive and can be installed in zones 1, 2, 21 and 22.

DISCOVER IRINOX CERTIFICATIONS

4. Dimensions, configuration and accessories for your electrical enclosure

IRINOX electrical enclosures can be customised to fit easily into a wide range of industrial and commercial applications. These switchboards are designed and manufactured according to the specifications provided by the customer, offering numerous advantages:

Adaptability to space requirements: they can be designed to fit perfectly into the available space, allowing optimal use of space and greater efficiency and safety in installation.
Configuration flexibility: customised electrical enclosures allow for the integration of specific customer-requested features, such as drilling, additional brackets, special supports, dedicated handling systems, and more.
Time and cost savings: although customised electrical enclosures may take a little longer to design and build than standard models, they often result in overall time and cost savings in installation and end-use. Bespoke design eliminates the need to adapt standard components to a specific space, thus reducing installation time and associated potential additional costs.
Maximum reliability and durability: because they are designed and built to meet exact customer specifications, IRINOX solutions offer maximum reliability and durability, minimising maintenance and service requirements.

Each IRINOX solution, both standard and customised, can also be equipped with a wide range of accessories that enhance the functionality of the cabinet and operator interaction at every stage.