Due to the increasing requirements for everything to be connected, more and more systems and applications are installed outside. Protecting your critical infrastructure should be a top priority and therefore choosing the right outdoor enclosure for your application. Whether for rail, airports, highways, or telecommunications, your application should have the best protection the industry has to offer.
Rittal Experts
Rittal’s Product manager, Emma Ryde, discusses why choosing the right enclosure for your environment is important and how ultimately will save you time and money overall.
Emma asks - Why are companies putting their most important pieces of equipment into enclosures not designed for outdoor applications and therefore exposed to overheating, leaks and damage? Choosing the right enclosure is just as important as the electrical equipment it is housing - if the enclosure fails, so does the equipment inside.
Rittal’s Top Tips - Choosing the right external enclosure.
We know that outdoor enclosures must be adaptable to protect your electrical equipment, especially when placed in both remote and busy public places. You also want your enclosure to look good but also be secure - there are so many factors in picking the right enclosure for your environment - here are a few things you need to consider:
External Environment
Making sure your enclosure will cope with the harsh outdoor environment is critical. Not only does your outdoor enclosure need to withstand the changes in the weather, like heat and humidity in the summer and the cold and ice in the winter, but the enclosure also needs to face the general corrosive nature of the environment, and the specific installation location.
How and where it will be installed
What material or coating will be needed (stainless steel or powder-coated aluminium) to help protect your equipment
Units with a protection rating of no less than IP55
If choosing a plastic enclosure, the high UV protection will be needed.
Installation
Choosing the right material and construction will help with the longevity and performance of your enclosure.
Choose enclosures that are easy to assemble and how they can be transported to the location of your application. A crane will most likely be needed if a large installation has been fully configured.
Choosing double-skinned units means you will have improved security and internal climate control - plus the outer skin can be replaced if damaged.
Climate control
Having the optimum working temperature and environment inside your enclosure will ensure your electrical equipment performs well along with reducing the risk of any necessary downtime. There are many climate control solutions available including:
Fans and filters allow for ventilation and reduce dust and direct from entering the enclosure
Having a double skin will help with the UV solar gain during the summer thus protecting your equipment from overheating.
Panel heaters can assist with any internal condensation.
Thermostats help regulate the temperature inside the enclosure.
Access & Security
Avoiding unauthorised access to your enclosure not only does it protect your equipment from damage, but also protects them from any danger. To ensure you have the best security of your enclosure, you could:
Install high-security locks.
Consider remote security access.
Easy accessibility to the inside for quick maintenance checks.
Vandalism & Damage
As your enclosure is outside, the risk of vandalism and damage is heightened. Many industries require certain specifications including:
Double-skinned units for easy replacement
Higher impact rating
Resistant category RC2
Making sure your enclosure survives the elements as they can be placed outdoors for an excess of 10 years. Finding the right outdoor solution for your application will save you both energy and costs. Spending less on a cheaper and non-suitable solution will increase your costs in the long run including maintenance, replacement, and labour.
The Outdoor range from Rittal is suitable for all outdoor applications.
Outdoor enclosures are essential for protecting your equipment from the elements. But Rittal offers more than just basic enclosures. With Rittal, you get intelligent and flexible solutions that are perfectly matched to your needs, no matter what environment you're in.
Rittal's enclosures are made from high-quality materials that can withstand the harshest conditions, from the extreme heat of the desert to the freezing cold of the Arctic. Rittal's climate control systems are designed to keep your equipment cool and dry, even in the most extreme environments.
Energy
Mounting benefits – Flexible basic enclosure, optionally with doors front and rear, for rapid interior installation and optimum on-site accessibility.
Variable base mounting – Easy to plan, because it is suitable for all site conditions: Concrete base/plinth, base plate, plastic base/plinth.
Water industry
Ideal material – Powder-coated aluminium for a long service life and corrosion resistance, plus fast machining of cut-outs.
Fast interior installation – All-round 25 mm system punchings and an extensive range of system accessories help to reduce assembly time.
Telecommunications
Fully integrated system solutions for mobile communications and broadband network installation reduce planning complexity.
Vandal-resistant – Enclosure solutions up to resistance category RC4
Telematics
Optimum protection against corrosion – Coordinated mix of materials for heavily contaminated roadside environments increases servicing intervals.
Examples of Rittal Outdooor Enclosure
CS Outdoor wall-mounted enclosures
An enclosure within an enclosure - this range is for wall or pole-mounted applications. The outdoor enclosure has a cut-out at the bottom and integrated louvers on the rear panel and side panels for ventilation. CS Outdoor Basic Enclosure
Ready-to-use single-walled enclosures are available with one or two doors. Adaptable to most applications, these basic enclosures are made from aluminium and have been powder-coated with UV-resistant pure polyester. Outdoor housing for AX Compact enclosures
To be used to create an enclosure-within-an-enclosure. This outdoor housing is made from coated aluminium and has a cut-out at the bottom and integrated louvers in the side and base for ventilation. CS Toptec
A specialised outdoor enclosure with a 100 mm transport plinth and rain canopy with projections on all sides. The side panels, rear panel, and door are fully double walled on the outside for ultimate protection.
Rittal continues to provide excellent solutions for your outdoor applications. From basic enclosures to multifunctional bespoke cabinets, energy-efficient outdoor cooling units to durable aluminium housing - Rittal has it all!
If you would like more information on Rittal’s Outdoor Enclosure range, please contact your local branch.
