The requirements placed on control cabinets vary depending on the application area. To cover these variations, panel builders and switchgear manufacturers use suitable accessories enabling them to tailor enclosures precisely to customers’ specific requirements. This translates into bespoke assembly and mounting solutions, enhanced reliability, and easier servicing and maintenance work. In this blog article, we will consider which accessory parts play a pivotal role in various applications.
An overview of enclosure accessories
From stable assembly, to protecting sensitive components, to neatly organised structures – accessory parts perform a range of different tasks in the enclosure, depending on requirements.
| Function | Accessory parts | Benefits |
| Transportation | Eyebolts, combination angles | For transporting enclosures by crane |
| Attachment | Wall mounting brackets, pole clamps | Simple, secure attachment to walls or poles |
| Baying | Baying kit, Baying connectors, baying brackets | The right solution for every conceivable baying situation |
| Safety & protection | Earth straps, protection canopy, lock systems, filter fans | Protection of components and personnel |
| Interior installation, organisation & ease of operation | Punched sections with mounting flanges, support strips, top hat rails, lighting | Manageability, cable routing, easier maintenance and servicing with flexible interior installation |
Accessories for transportation, assembly and baying
Depending on the installation location, different requirements will govern siting and attachment to enclosures. For example, transportation, baying and wall mounting are much easier with the right accessories.
Eyebolts
Larger enclosures soon become so heavy that they cannot be lifted without the aid of equipment. These enclosures come with drilled holes as standard for screw-fastening eyebolts. With these eyebolts, even heavy installed equipment can be transported risk-free.
Wall-mounting brackets
Whether you want to suspend smaller enclosures from a wall or secure larger enclosures to prevent them from tipping over, a wall mounting bracket will ensure safe secure mounting at the installation site. Wall mounting brackets from Rittal feature a special location mechanism, allowing effortless one-person wall mounting of smaller enclosures.
Baying kit
Often, there is insufficient space inside a single enclosure for the electronic components, or an upgrade might necessitate an expansion. In such cases, a baying kit allows several enclosures to be bayed together as a sealed connection.
Safety & security
Control cabinets are connected to the power supply, and whenever electricity is involved, safety must always be the top priority. The right accessories protect both the built-in components and the operating personnel. Be it electrical faults, weather conditions or unauthorised access, the right add-on parts enhance operational reliability and plant availability.
Earth straps
In the event of fault currents, for example caused by damaged insulation, earth straps reliably discharge this potential hazard to eliminate any risk to personnel or materials. Straps are recommended for rapid installation of earthing and are available pre-assembled as enclosure accessories in all common cross-sections.
Protection canopy
Control cabinets sited outdoors must be able to withstand whatever the weather throws at them. A sloping protection canopy reliably protects the enclosure from above from standing water and other contaminants. Rittal’s model is attached to the enclosure without any machining, a feature which sets it apart.
Lock systems
Tampering and deliberate damage pose an additional threat to reliable enclosure operation. It is therefore important to ensure that only trained, authorised specialist personnel have access to the enclosure at all times. To this end, Rittal has devised a range of different lock systems, including enclosure keys and the ergonomic Mini-comfort handle with lock system.
Filter fans
With such a large number of electronic components, the temperature inside the enclosure can soon rise. Particularly in densely populated areas, hot air can accumulate and create hotspots. Enclosures may be fitted with filter fans to prevent accumulated heat damage and associated production losses. Filter fans bring cooler air into the enclosure and dispel hotspots by swirling. This also prevents the formation of condensation.
Interior installation, organisation and ease of operation
Interior fit-out options, clear structures and ease of operation are crucial for the efficient use of space, maintenance and simple expansion of an enclosure. Accessory parts that promote a clear layout and flexible expansion opportunities can therefore help to streamline work operations and significantly enhance the enclosure’s quality and scalability.
Interior installation rails
Special rail systems provide the basis for standardised, efficient interior installation and create a mounting frame for the structured attachment of additional accessory parts. An interior installation rail, also known as a punched section with mounting flange, is a rail system used to create a mounting frame inside the enclosure. It enables the structured attachment of accessory parts such as cable ducts, cable holders, contact hazard protection covers and swing frames.
Top hat rails
The top hat rail is another key structural element inside the enclosure. This standardised assembly component functions as a support system for electronic components. By streamlining the arrangement and replacement of electrical equipment, the top hat rail creates clearer system structures and makes maintenance more efficient.
Lighting
Where muddled wiring is compounded by poor lighting, the conditions for safe, fast working on the enclosure are far from ideal. High-quality LED system lights ensure optimum illumination of the entire enclosure, for easier maintenance work.
FAQs
1. Which accessory parts belong in an enclosure?
Key accessory parts include eyebolts, wall mounting brackets, baying connectors, earth straps, protection canopies, lock systems, filter fans as well as interior installation rails, top hat rails and LED lighting.
2. Why are eyebolts used in enclosure assembly?
Eyebolts allow heavy enclosures to be safely transported by crane. They are screw-fastened into existing holes and ensure simple, risk-free handling.
3. Why are wall mounting brackets important?
A wall mounting bracket allows an enclosure to be safely attached to the wall. It also prevents large enclosures from tipping over, while special suspension mechanisms make it easier to install smaller enclosures.
4. What is the function of earth straps in an enclosure?
Earth straps safely discharge fault currents to protect personnel and materials. They are pre-manufactured in various cross-sections for fast assembly.
5. What is an interior installation rail (punched section with mounting flange)?
An interior installation rail – also known as a punched section with mounting flange – is a mounting system inside the enclosure which allows accessories such as cable ducts, cable holders, contact hazard protection covers and swing frames to be secured in a structured way.
6. What the top hat is used for?
The top hat rail is a standardised assembly component for electronic components. It makes it easier to organise and replace operating equipment and ensures clear system structures.
7. Why is lighting in the enclosure important?
High-quality LED lighting ensures optimum illumination inside the enclosure. This translates into easier maintenance work and enhanced safety with complex wiring.
Summary
The right accessories are pivotal to the quality of safety, assembly and user comfort. With the right equipment, enclosures adapt individually to different locations, enabling reliable operation and efficient maintenance. Enclosure accessories play a decisive role in the reliable, fail-safe operation of a building or production plant.
Dr. Dirk Pieler
Executive Vice President Business Unit Industry Solutions at Rittal
With his many years of industry experience, Dirk Pieler is helping to advance the digital transformation and automation in enclosure manufacturing.