Custom Electrical Enclosures for Equipment

Custom Electrical Enclosures for Equipment

In the realm of industrial and commercial applications, custom electrical enclosures are essential for protecting sensitive and valuable equipment. According to industry experts, enclosures need to comply with specific standards such as UL/NEMA and IP ratings to ensure safe and reliable operation.

Frequently Asked Questions on Custom Enclosures

I was told my enclosure should be made of 16 ga steel. What does this mean?

Gauge, or ‘ga.,’ refers to the thickness of the material being used. There are a number of gauges, each specific to the type of material in question, so an actual thickness specification (in inch or millimeter units) minimizes errors. More information, including standard stocked gauges, can be found on the Materials, Components, and Finishes page.

Which types of material does Protocase use in manufacturing enclosures?

Protocase manufactures enclosures from virtually any metal. Standard stock materials include steel, stainless steel, galvanneal, and aluminum. For more details, refer to the Materials, Components, and Finishes page.

What does a 1U enclosure mean?

1U is a standard rack enclosure height. It refers to the height of the front panel and also dictates the front panel mounting holes' location. The standard nominal front panel heights are as follows:

1U - 1.75 in
2U - 3.50 in
3U - 5.25 in
4U - 7.00 in
5U - 8.75 in
6U - 10.50 in
7U - 12.25 in

What is the biggest enclosure you can make?

This depends on the geometry of the enclosure. Standard constraints include a 4' x 8' (1220mm x 2440mm) size limit imposed by sheet metal stock and a 6' (1830 mm) bend length limit by press brake equipment.

Are there limitations on the shape of the enclosure?

We can manufacture common enclosure styles, and for fully custom designs, we utilize toolless cutting techniques, offering significant flexibility in shapes. However, straight-line bends are the restriction in press brakes, and certain elements may interfere with this process. Contact our technical staff for more information.

How can I send you my enclosure design?

The best way is through an electronic CAD file. Ideally, a 3D model such as SolidWorks or an IGES file works best. Otherwise, AutoCAD dxf or dwg drawings will suffice. If you don't have CAD capability, you can fax (1-902-567-3336) or email (info@protocase.com) a hand sketch and we’ll take it from there.

What is a self-clinching fastener?

Protocase offers a variety of self-clinching threaded standoffs, studs, and nuts for mounting your printed circuit boards, power supplies, or other devices. These fasteners, available in both metric and English sizes, come fully pressed into your enclosure or part and are included in the enclosure drawings provided for order placement.

Are there restrictions on the shape and size of cutouts?

There are virtually no restrictions, as long as the cutout fits within our enclosure size limitations.

What are the dimensional tolerances of your enclosures?

The primary dimensional variations occur in cuts and bends. Cuts have an absolute accuracy of better than 0.010" (0.25mm), while standard leg length tolerance for bends is 0.010" (0.25mm) with a bend tolerance of 2 degrees. More details can be found on our Fabrication Tolerances page.

Is there a maximum number of cutouts per side?

There is no limit to the number of cutouts, although cutouts should typically be no closer than 1.5x the metal thickness from another cut. Large numbers of cutouts may warp from heat and stress relief in the metal, so consulting with our tech staff is advisable if you are unsure.

I need some brackets to hold down power supplies and fans. Can you supply these?

Yes, we commonly build internal components such as brackets, ground planes, internal partitions, and more as part of our standard enclosure manufacturing process.

Can you install my hardware?

Yes, Protocase can install specified self-clinching fasteners, studs, nuts, rubber feet, handles, etc., as required. Additional details are available on our materials, components, and finishes page.

I only need one enclosure for a prototype design. Does this count as low volume?

Yes. We are here to help engineers and designers with quick-turn projects that often require a single enclosure or small metal part, with no minimum order.

My enclosure requires sealed seams. Can you seam weld my enclosure and grind after welding?

We offer spot welding for permanent assembly and Cold Metal Transfer (CMT) for fully sealed seams, ground smooth prior to finishing.

Can you silk-screen my front and rear panels?

Yes, we can silk-screen using your provided graphic. This process adds an extra day for ink drying, with additional days required for multi-color designs. Refer to our silk-screening page for more information.

What standard silk-screen colors do you offer?

We stock a variety of colors and can supply custom colors, though custom colors may impact delivery time. Additional details are on our silk-screening page.

For more information, please visit Rdekono.

I need my enclosure right away. It's not a standard shape and has some unusual cutouts. How fast can you deliver?

Most enclosures are shipped within 2-3 business days after design approval, though silkscreening, non-stock components, or large orders may require extra time. Discuss time constraints with our sales or technical staff to determine lead time and potential workarounds.

What standard powder coat colors do you offer?

We stock a variety of standard colors and textures, with non-standard colors available upon request. Additional information, including a list of stock colors, can be found on our powder coat page.

I have limited CAD capability. Can you help me with my design?

We assist many customers unfamiliar with CAD by offering design services, which often cost less than $100. We also provide Protocase Designer® free 3D CAD software with video tutorials or an online template generator for non-CAD experts. Customers can use these to create base designs and indicate custom requirements.

If you do the design for me, can I review it before production?

We provide every customer with an eDrawings model of their enclosure or part before production. This 3D model allows clients to verify dimensions, view from all angles, inspect cutaways, and disassemble the assembly. This HTML file requires no special software.

How long will I have to wait for my enclosure?

The ordering process consists of generating and approving eDrawings, typically sent within 24 hours of order receipt. Once authorization is received, production and shipping usually take 2-3 business days, excluding additional time for silk-screening.

Can you manufacture aluminium enclosures?

Yes, we stock aluminum along with steel, stainless steel, and galvanneal. Other metals can also be sourced upon request.

How do you ship my order?

We use express courier shipping unless otherwise specified.

What is your return policy?

If there is an issue with any product, please contact us immediately. We will replace, at no cost, any product not manufactured to the client-approved eDrawings specifications or of unacceptable quality.

What size stand-offs do you stock?

We provide various self-clinching threaded standoffs, studs, and nuts, fully pressed into enclosures or parts. More information and a list of stocked items are available on our self-clinching fastener page. Please include your desired fasteners in your order's enclosure drawing.

How can I pay?

We accept all major credit cards (VISA, AMEX, and Mastercard), wire transfers, and cheques drawn on major banks.

What currency do you work in?

Our default currency is USD. However, we can quote, invoice, and accept payments in GBP, EUR, and CAD. Alternate currency pricing is based on USD price with our effective conversion rate and held for 30 days.

Dot Peening FAQs

What is Dot Peening?

Dot Peening is a method of permanently marking sheet metal parts for traceability and identification, typically used to meet safety, warranty, or regulatory requirements.

Why should I use Dot Peen Permanent Marking?

Dot Peen Permanent Marking ensures traceability and identification of sheet metal parts, essential for safety, warranty, and regulatory compliance.

How does Dot Peening work?

An alphanumeric pattern is programmed into the dot peening machine, which creates readable, alphanumerical identification by impacting the part with a pin while it is still flat.

Which materials are suitable for dot peening?

We can dot peen most materials, but thin gauges (e.g., aluminum thinner than 0.051” or steel under .048”) may show ghosting or witness marks on the reverse side. This is primarily an aesthetic issue, and feasibility should be discussed during the design phase.

Can I order permanent marking for my sheet metal part with a powder coat finish?

Yes, dot peening can be used on both bare metal and under powder coat finishes, though the presentation of the dot peen characters will vary with different powder coat colors. See examples on our dot peening page.

*Note: Powder coat color can affect dot peen character presentation. Examples of dot peening under powder coat are available online.

For custom enclosure solutions, visit Rdekono to consult with our experienced sales team.