Electrical enclosure FAQs, answered by experts

Yes, a ventilation system can be fitted inside an electrical enclosure, including as a retrofit to an existing installation. Our Air-Technology setup is integrated automatically in our AK range of distributors and is also available for other enclosures. It uses air exchangers that transport condensate out of the enclosure while allowing the interior air to mix constantly with the environmental air. Ventilation elements prevent condensation forming and building up, reduce the risk of overheating, and protect the electrical equipment within, meeting IP65 requirements.

For demanding outdoor applications we recommend our GEOS range. GEOS enclosures are designed specifically for outdoor use, offering excellent protection against UV radiation, rain and extreme temperatures ranging from -35°C to 80°C, and they are resistant to corrosion and chemicals, which makes them suitable for industrial or coastal environments. The range also has a high IK09 impact rating, so it can handle mechanical shocks and heavy use without cracking or compromising the safety of the equipment inside. That durability is tested in our UL-certified lab against international standards including EN 62262 for impact resistance.

Yes. The enclosures in our IBT range, designed for use in concrete constructions, are made from polypropylene copolymer (PPC) and are fully recyclable. PPC is classed as plastic type 5 under the Resin Identification/Plastic Recycling Code, withstands four closed loops of recycling and suits both mechanical and chemical processing. It is also lightweight compared with other plastics, which makes it well suited to concrete applications. The range spans a spread of ingress protection, from IBT Precon junction boxes at IP30 to universal installation housing rated to IPX4, and includes protection class II rated junction boxes where safe electrical separation is required.

Electrical enclosures are suitable for switchboard arrangements, and our GTi ISO switchgear range is designed for them. A switchboard enclosure must protect the equipment it houses and protect users from direct and indirect electric shock. Our socket housing units are rated IP44, protecting against solid objects 1 mm in diameter and water splashes, while our empty housings are rated IP65, preventing dust intrusion and ingress from water jets. All GTi ISO insulated distribution boxes offer Class II IEC protection, and all our switchgear protects against impact to IK08.

Yes. Plastic enclosures can be coloured as they are produced, during the injection moulding process, by mixing coloured pellets into the polymer melt. Our in-house manufacturing facilities in Schalksmühle, Germany, support custom-coloured plastic enclosures for high-volume purchases. We hold a large variety of pigment-based pellets and offer colours from the RAL, HKS and Pantone systems, whether the colour is needed for brand integrity or for safety, and we ensure colour consistency across the entire batch. We can also add multicoloured logos or graphics using digital, pad and screen printing, laser marking and hot embossing.

You can tell an enclosure is UL approved by the UL mark on its casing. This may be the standard UL mark, a variant such as C-UL US in Canada or UL-EU in the European Union, or an RU mark, used on components of UL listed products that cannot carry the full logo themselves. The relevant standards for enclosures are UL94, UL746C, UL50, UL50E and UL508. Products carrying UL markings that are bought from reputable manufacturers or distributors can fairly be assumed legitimate; if you have concerns, ask your supplier for details of the testing procedures. Note that UL508 is no longer tested for new products; IEC 60947 is the internationally recognised standard to look for in new products.

Our WKE Rapid-Box range is designed for tunnel applications and meets key fire safety standards, in particular DIN 4102 part 12. The enclosures are precision engineered with temperature-resistant ceramic terminals and take uncut conductors of up to 50 mm² (Cu), with the junction made using a 2.5 mm² conductor or via a 3-pin or 5-pin CEE socket in the housing cover. The cable junctions and connection housings are certified according to EN 61439:2011, provide intrinsic fire resistance in the passage for 30 minutes and are rated to a minimum of IP66.

Yes. We offer a wide range of certified NEMA 4X and IP66-rated enclosures for harsh conditions, and we can deliver samples to UK customers within 24 hours; where an off-the-shelf product does not fit, we can produce a fully customised enclosure. NEMA 4X, defined by the U.S. National Electrical Manufacturers Association, covers indoor and outdoor use needing protection against corrosion, dust, rain, dripping and light splashing of liquids, as well as external ice formation. It is equivalent to UL 50 Type 4X and comparable to the IP66 rating under BS EN 60529. Our GEOS series is one such range.