Bud Industries: Five Ways To Save On Electronics Enclosures And Speed Up Mro

According to Bud Industries, http://www.budind.com

, all too often, electrical/electronic enclosures are not considered until the last minute in any repair or upgrade project. Instead, the purchasing focus is on active components that go inside the enclosure. These quick last-minute decisions often negate many of the cost savings in other areas. Therefore, BUD developed five steps to saving money on your enclosure purchase, which will allow you to be better prepared in the future while reducing the downtime from your current equipment failure.

1.As simple as it seems, use a standard enclosure. In the rush to replace a damaged or defective piece of equipment, the quick response is for an exact replacement. However, by choosing a standard, off-the-shelf product from the enclosure manufacturer, both the lead-time and cost decline significantly. It is important to remember that using a slightly larger enclosure does not impact the functioning of the internal components, so buying a box that is an inch larger could actually save money if it is a standard compared to the costs of developing the requested custom box.

2.Consider using less expensive material. As an example, steel or aluminum are more expensive than plastic. In the United States, for NEMA enclosures, steel is the preferred material. In the rest of the world, plastic electronics enclosures are more popular in no small part due to their low cost and more than adequate strength. If the application does not require the electronics enclosure to withstand constant physical abuse, a plastic box provides a lower cost and even more corrosion resistant option (Figure 1).

Figure 1. Plastic NEMA rated box

3.Do you need specific ratings on the enclosure or can you utilize the unit without those ratings? For example, does the unit need a UL rating or is the manufacturers NEMA ratings sufficient? In Buds product line we offer a NEMA box series with several alternatives, including an ABS plastic version that does not come with the UL ratings. For most applications, this box provides a perfect solution of value and function. In a similar vein, can you use a box with a lower level of protection? For instance, a NEMA 12 box may suffice where traditionally one has used a NEMA 4 enclosure. (See Quick Guide to NEMA Ratings below.) Alternatively, if only a specific internal component needs to be EMI/RFI shielded, it is better to protect that component than to shield the entire enclosure.

4.Review which accessories are included so that the price comparisons are accurate. Some manufacturers offer a turnkey rack line that includes many required add-ons such as fans, casters, shelves, and doors. There is typically a significant discount for these all-in-one units as they save on both packaging and freight costs, such as in the unit shown in Figure 2. Other examples are panels that are included in a NEMA box of steel or plastic, mounting provisions for wall mounted boxes, equipment mounting provisions inside an enclosure, and bails or handles for easy maneuverability. Considering these features from the beginning can save significant cost and also insure that all components work well together.

Figure 2. Turnkey rack cabinet

5.If modifications are required, consider having them done at the manufacturer. The manufacturer knows the best approaches for drilling or punching (Figure 3) based on product materials, which can avoid cracking or chipping the box itself. It also avoids having to find a local source for the work, saving time and potential damage that frequently occurs due to multiple transits of the product. The manufacturer can provide a turnkey product, speeding installation of the components and providing a quicker way to get your equipment up and running.

Figure 3. Box with custom punched/drilled holes.

Quick Guide to NEMA Ratings. The following table gives a brief description of protection afforded by the most commonly used NEMA enclosure ratings. It includes restrictions with regards to indoor and outdoor usage.

Table 1. Protection and Usage Restrictions for NEMA Rated Enclosures

NEMA 1Provides protection against incidental contact with the enclosed equipment and against falling dirt. Indoor use only

NEMA 12Same as NEMA 1 plus protection against circulating dust, lint, and dripping and lightly splashing liquids. Indoor use only

NEMA 4Same as NEMA 12 plus protection against rain, sleet, snow, wind-blown dust and hose-directed water. Indoor or outdoor use

In summary, dont overlook the simple solutions to your complex MRO problems. Nothing is more frustrating than unexpected down time. With the steps above, you can insure that your frustration does not cost more than it should or slow down repairs.

by:Blair K. Haas

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