You have a big project ahead of you. The construction is significant, and you have to get everything right, down to the last detail.
It’s going to require careful planning, but that’s your job, and you’re good at it. While you’re sourcing the different materials, devices, and components that you need for the project, you remembered that you will need electrical enclosures too.
That’s good, but when you’re sourcing those enclosures, you want to consider all of the angles. It’s still common to stick with metal enclosures in a lot of circumstances, but that’s not always the best solution. The simple fact is that non-metal boxes offer a lot of advantages.
In fact, we can take a minute together to go over some of the principal advantages of choosing non-metal options. You might find that there is a better solution waiting for you.
Insulation
The first key advantage of non-metallic enclosures is insulation. The enclosures are typically made of fiberglass or polycarbonate, both of which are good insulators of heat and electricity. This is a two-fold benefit.
First, you get more control over grounding and electrostatic discharges. For sensitive systems, electrical insulation is paramount.
Second, the low heat conductivity of these materials can help control temperatures in outdoor electrical boxes. Sunlight doesn’t bake the inside of the box as intensely, and that can enable a little more freedom in how you deploy the boxes and what volume of components can safely sit within.
In either case, counting on insulation is a strong reason to consider metal alternatives when sourcing electrical enclosures.
Corrosion Resistance
In a lot of cases, corrosion resistance isn’t too important. Most electrical enclosures sit inside drywall, and they don’t get exposed to harsh or corrosive chemicals.
But, there are times when chemicals are present, and when that is the case, metal is a no-go. Car washes, industrial processing facilities, agricultural facilities, and more can all expose your enclosures to corrosion. That’s to say nothing of water and salt corrosion that are common in many environments.
Fiberglass and polycarbonate are materials that provide a range of solutions. While both are resistant to corrosion in general, they have high resistance to different sets of chemicals. Between these two materials, you can choose enclosures that are properly protected from their environment.
Customization
When you work directly with manufacturers, you can get customized designs for many different kinds of electrical boxes and enclosure accessories. As someone who installs these things for a living, you know that sometimes, things need to be adjusted onsite. Unexpected problems arise, and the ability to customize beyond the original design is essential.
That’s the great strength of non-metallic boxes. They’re much easier to customize, even beyond designs for adjustable electrical boxes. You can see them, punch them, and drill them as needed. That allows you to conform a standard box into a customized solution, and you don’t need to waste time grinding or welding to get it done. More than anything else, non-metallic boxes give you the freedom to get the job done with minimal disruption.
