Enclosure Rain Hoods & Drip Shields
Enclosure rain hoods and drip shields are vital accessories in protecting electrical enclosures and their contents from environmental elements, particularly in outdoor or harsh indoor environments. These components are designed to add an extra layer of protection against water ingress, which is crucial for maintaining the integrity and functionality of the electrical components housed within the enclosures.
Rain hoods are typically installed at the top of an enclosure and extend outwards, creating a sheltered area above the enclosure. Their primary function is to deflect rainwater and other forms of precipitation away from the enclosure, particularly from the door seals and vents, which are common entry points for moisture. This is especially important in areas where enclosures are exposed to direct rainfall or in situations where water might drip down from overhead structures.
More Information about Rain Hoods and Drip Shields
Drip shields, on the other hand, are often added to the sides or tops of enclosures and are designed to redirect water away from sensitive areas. These shields are particularly useful in preventing water accumulation at points where it could seep into the enclosure, such as around door openings or cable entry points. By directing water away from these critical areas, drip shields help in preventing the ingress of moisture, which could otherwise lead to corrosion, electrical short circuits, or other damage to the internal components.
Both rain hoods and drip shields are typically made from durable materials like stainless steel or treated metals that resist corrosion and can withstand exposure to various environmental conditions. Their design usually complements the aesthetics and functionality of the enclosure, ensuring that they do not obstruct access or ventilation while providing maximum protection.
The installation of these protective accessories is straightforward and does not typically require significant modifications to the enclosure. They can be easily attached to existing structures, making them a practical solution for enhancing the environmental protection of enclosures already in use.
NEMA 3R, 4 and 4X
Electrical enclosures are cabinets that are designed to house electrical components. Their main function is to protect the components, as well as to protect the operators from electrical hazards. Enclosures are typically made of solid plastics, fiberglass and metal materials, such as carbon steel, stainless steel and aluminum.
One of the most important things to consider when selecting an electrical enclosure is the NEMA rating. NEMA stands for National Electrical Manufacturer Association. They have developed a rating system which determines the types of environments an electrical enclosure can be used in.
NEMA 3R enclosures.
The NEMA definition of a 3R enclosure is as follows: ‘Enclosures constructed for either indoor or outdoor use to provide a degree of protection to personnel against access to hazardous parts, to provide a degree of protection of the equipment inside the enclosure against Ingress of solid foreign objects such as falling dirt, to provide a degree of protection with respect to harmful effects on the equipment due to the Ingress of water, rain, sleet or snow, and that will be undamaged by the external formation of ice on the enclosure.’ NEMA 3R enclosures provide adequate outdoor protection while providing significant cost savings over NEMA 4 and NEMA 4X enclosures.
NEMA 4 enclosures.
They provide all of the same protections found in the NEMA 3R enclosures with two additional protection elements, protection against wind-blown dust particles and protection against hose directed water. NEMA 4 enclosures provide this additional protection using a gasket material to prevent water or dust from entering the enclosure,
while the NEMA 3R enclosures rely on enclosure design and gravity to assist in diverting water and dust.
NEMA 4X enclosures.
They provide all of the same protections found in the NEMA 4 enclosures with one added protection element, corrosion resistance. NEMA 4X enclosures are typically made of either stainless steel or fiberglass.