Can you keep different voltages or circuits separate inside a junction box?
Short answer
Equipment using different nominal voltages can be kept separate inside a junction box, and doing so is vital for safe operation. Two things need specifying: the enclosure itself and the partition walls. Size them around the equipment and the space available, choose materials to suit indoor or outdoor use and the ingress protection required, and check whether the dividers need extras such as pre-embossing for cable bushings. Effective separation also avoids electromagnetic interference (EMI), which can cause signal disruption and hardware damage. In the UK, BS7671 Wiring Regulations require the presence of different voltages and where they can be isolated to be identified.
Yes, you can. It is vital for safe operation to keep equipment using different nominal voltages separate inside an enclosure, and there are two key requirements in projects like this: the enclosure itself and the partition walls.
The first point you should consider is the size of the electrical equipment you want to protect and how much room is available to house it. This will help you establish the size of your enclosure as well as the required length and width of your dividers.
Next, you will need to identify the most suitable materials for your enclosure and its dividers. At this stage you can also assess whether your divider walls require any additional capabilities, such as pre-embossing for cable bushings.
Understanding whether the enclosure will be located indoors or outdoors will help you decide how much ingress protection you will require, both from solid items such as dust or larger foreign bodies and from liquids. For outdoor enclosures that need protection against harsh environmental conditions, you may benefit from our GEOS range of rugged, easy to install solutions.
Depending on your location, regional safety regulations may include a requirement for permanent, grounded physical barriers between sections. Enclosures that will house different nominal voltages and their associated devices should ensure effective separation to avoid electromagnetic interference (EMI), which can lead to signal disruption and hardware damage.
All Spelsberg enclosures are extensively tested, including certification in accordance with IEC 62208 and IEC 61439.
Our wide range of enclosures includes a selection of plastic partition walls and suitable holders that are easy to mount and disassemble. This lets you divide an enclosure lengthwise or crosswise, making them an ideal solution for retrospective installations and modifications to existing systems as well as for new projects.
You can use our online product finder to identify which partition panel is best suited to your intended application. For more complex projects, we can deliver custom solutions with fast lead times tailored to your individual requirements, thanks to our full product moulding, manufacturing and customisation facilities.
Remember that in the UK, under BS7671 Wiring Regulations, there is a requirement to identify the presence of different voltages and where they can be isolated. These are important safety procedures.
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