RITTAL
Enclosures
| Product group | Small enclosures | Wall-mounted enclosures | Enclosure systems | Hygienic Design | Outdoor | Console systems | PC enclosure systems | Industrial Workstations | Command panels | Support arm systems | Stand systems | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Material | Plastic | ◼ | ◼ | – | – | ◼ | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| Aluminium | ◼ | – | – | – | ◼ | – | – | – | ◼ | ◼ | – | |
| Sheet steel | ◼ | ◼ | ◼ | – | – | ◼ | ◼ | ◼ | ◼ | ◼ | ◼ | |
| Stainless steel | ◼ | ◼ | ◼ | ◼ | – | ◼ | ◼ | – | ◼ | ◼ | – | |
| Width mm | 58 – 800 | 150 – 1,200 | 400 – 1,800 | 122 – 1,200 | 250 – 2,000 | 600 – 1,600 | 600 – 800 | 600 – 1,000 | 241 – 810 | – | – | |
| Height mm | 64 – 1,000 | 150 – 1,480 | 1,200 – 2,200 | 122 – 1,800 | 350 – 2,000 | 200 – 1,300 | 1,600 | 900 – 1,000 | 200 – 848 | – | – | |
| Depth mm | 36 – 300 | 80 – 673 | 300 – 800 | 80 – 500 | 150 – 800 | 245 – 745 | 630 – 836 | 600 – 645 | 87 – 266 | – | – | |
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Electrical enclosure functions
Enclosures are widely in many different sectors: In industrial and production sites, the manufacturing industry, the residential sector, workshops and other areas – in fact, just about everywhere with technical machinery and equipment. But what are the functions of enclosures?
An enclosure, also known as an electrical cabinet, control cabinet or case, holds all the electrical and electronic components needed to control the connected plant and machinery. For example, this might include terminals and connected cables, whole terminal strips and a distributor box for electricity. The purpose of the enclosure is to organise and protect the electronics.
Enclosure: Electronics need protection from external influences
The interior must be shielded from things like dirt, dust, water and ‒ depending on whether the enclosure is sited indoors or outdoors ‒ soil, debris, rain, snow and sand. Added to this, people and moving machine parts must not be allowed to come into contact with the electronics. The same applies to the electromagnetic fields emitted by equipment. Enclosures are also used for installing and securing electrical components e.g. using support rails, and also incorporate key safety features: The enclosure provides earthing and insulation against hazardous voltages and protection from overheating. Additionally, most Rittal enclosures are supplied with a mounting plate.
Enclosures made from plastic are known to be extremely robust and resilient. What is more, this material offers protection from corrosion and can also withstand moisture. These properties make plastic enclosures the preferred choice for the maritime industry, railway technology and airports, among others.
Polycarbonate enclosures
Polycarbonate, a type of plastic, is an extremely tough, durable material, which is also resistant to chemicals. Polycarbonate is also lightweight compared to sheet steel, for example, and therefore easier to transport. Its inexpensive price is also sure to impress.
Stainless steel includes both alloyed and unalloyed steels containing at least 10.5 percent chromium and less than 1.2 percent carbon. This makes it an exceptionally durable, tough material which is resistant to excessive heat and corrosion. Stainless steel enclosures are therefore ideal for outdoor use ‒ also because they do not rust. This makes them increasingly popular for use in salt water, swimming pools and the chemicals industry.
Sheet steel enclosures are designed for use both in enclosed spaces and outdoors. The material is extremely stable and also impact-resistant, as a result of which sheet steel enclosures are particularly attractive to the machine and plant engineering sector.
Rittal's enclosures made from cast aluminium are suitable for use in enclosed spaces. Cast aluminium enclosures may be used, for example, in facility management as well as machine and plant engineering. For outdoor use, Rittal also offers enclosures with aluminium panels and a stainless steel frame.
Summary of enclosure types: Enclosures and case systems
As you would expect, Rittal offers enclosures in a range of sizes and designs ‒ tailored to your individual requirements. The dimensions and design are selected depending on where the enclosure will be used, the intended purpose, and how much space is available.
For example, compact enclosures are a popular choice often used in mechanical and plant engineering. Their compact design means they can accommodate a multitude of electrical components – from terminals and mounting panels to lights and sockets – in a limited space. Depending on the location and size of the electrics to be installed, customers can choose from a range of enclosure variants, including wall-mounted and floor-standing enclosures.
Several enclosures may be bayed together to create an entire enclosure system: Bayed enclosures may be linked to one another with various mounting components. However, enclosures rarely exist in isolation. It goes without saying that we at Rittal stock a comprehensive range of accessories: Mounting plates, cable guides, base/plinth systems, lock cylinders with security locks, spare parts and anything else your enclosure may need is available from us.
Enclosures for specific applications
Some enclosures are located in environments with very particular requirements. One example is the food industry, where specific legal hygiene standards must be observed. We have a solution for this too, with our Hygienic Design enclosure, specifically adapted to hygiene-sensitive areas where regular cleaning is a must.
Similarly, an enclosure might be located in an earthquake-prone or explosion hazard environment. For such cases, we have developed our own enclosure and case solutions from a variety of materials suitable for siting in these conditions.
Rittal ePocket digital wiring plan pocket
Rittal also offers a Rittal ePocket digital wiring plan pocket designed to match your enclosure system. The Rittal ePocket is the digital equivalent of physical enclosure documentation: The Rittal ePocket allows you to access and update your machine and plant documentation at any time and from any location. This helps to speed up your processes at every stage of the value chain. Want to know more? Please read more about the details and benefits of our Rittal ePocket.
Find and order spare parts for your enclosure online
If you need spare parts for your enclosure system, we also offer a spare parts service. Enter the item number in the search box and a list of matching products will appear instantly. In the next step, you can then order them from our Rittal Online Shop. If you have a bespoke product or are unable to find the item number, please feel free to contact us at any time.
Let Rittal help you find the right case, equipment and enclosure system
Depending on your requirements, choosing the right enclosure can be a complex matter. As manufacturers, we are familiar with every aspect of the selection and commissioning of enclosures, and our services are available whenever you need support. We are on hand to offer advice and practical assistance with all matters relating to your enclosure system, whenever you need it. If you are planning enclosures for indoor use, you can also use our RiPanel online configurator .
FAQs about enclosures
An enclosure is a “housing” for a range of electronic control components for machinery and equipment. It protects the electronics inside from external influences caused by humans, the environment and the weather, and also helps create structure and organisation with holders and supports. Where necessary, it can also provide earthing and insulation.
The enclosure housing protects the electrical components inside. This ensures that the electronics are securely shielded from external influences and able to operate without interruption. Holders and mounting devices are also provided inside the enclosure to secure and interlink the components. Where necessary, the enclosure can also function as earthing and insulation.
Enclosures are available in a range of materials, such as plastic, stainless steel, sheet steel and aluminium. Depending on the location, enclosures are also available in various different sizes and designs: Small enclosures, wall-mounted enclosures, floor-standing enclosures, compact enclosures, bayed enclosures plus special enclosures for areas with particular hygiene requirements, earthquake-prone and explosion hazard areas.
Enclosures are essential for protecting electrical components needed to operate plant and machinery from external influences. Depending on the location, these may include influences from humans and the environment, such as dust, as well as weather influences such as rain, snow, sun and even earthquakes. An enclosure may also function as earthing and insulation. There are also certain legal requirements which must be met in terms of the safety of machines, equipment and related enclosures.
The benefit of an enclosure is that it protects interior electrical components such as terminals, switch boxes and wiring from external influences caused by humans, the environment and weather. What is more, key electronics for connected systems and machines are securely mounted in holders. A further benefit is that an enclosure may function as earthing and insulation.
If you want to site an enclosure outdoors, consider free-standing models made from materials such as plastic, stainless steel and aluminium. For enclosed spaces, in addition to the aforementioned materials, a sheet steel enclosure is another option. There are also models available for explosion hazard areas. If an enclosure is sited in an earthquake-prone environment, accessories are available to supplement a standard enclosure, such as an earthquake kit and an earthquake base/plinth.