--- title: Computer Enclosures for Hazardous Manufacturing Environments description: System designers working in hazardous or corrosive environments must expertly analyze how to safely deploy electronics in computer enclosures. image: https://blog.itsenclosures.com/hubfs/itsenclosures_icestation_purge_unit.jpg --- ![](https://blog.itsenclosures.com/hs-fs/hubfs/ITSENCLOSURES%20HEADER%20LOGO%20VIEWSTATION%20ICESTATION.png?width=425&height=87&name=ITSENCLOSURES%20HEADER%20LOGO%20VIEWSTATION%20ICESTATION.png "ITSENCLOSURES HEADER LOGO VIEWSTATION ICESTATION.png") [![](https://blog.itsenclosures.com/hubfs/itsenclosurescallnowviewstationicestationphone.png)](tel:1-800-423-9911)   [![SocIcon-LiveChat](https://blog.itsenclosures.com/hs-fs/hubfs/SocIcon-LiveChat.png?width=210&name=SocIcon-LiveChat.png)](https://www.websitealive9.com/433/operator/guest/gDefault_v2.asp?cframe=login&chattype=normal&groupid=433&websiteid=0&departmentid=0&sessionid_=&iniframe=&ppc_id=&autostart=&proactiveid=&text2chat_info=&loginname=&loginnamelast=&loginemail=&loginphone=&infocapture_ids=&infocapture_values=&dl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.itsenclosures.com%2F%23&loginquestion=)   **[1-800-423-9911](tel:1-800-423-9911) | [Info@itsenclosures.com](mailto:info@itsenclosures.com) ** - [Home](http://www.itsenclosures.com/) - [Products](http://www.itsenclosures.com/products) - [Computer Enclosures](http://www.itsenclosures.com/IceStation) - [LCD Enclosures](http://www.itsenclosures.com/ViewStation-LCD-Enclosures) - [Printer Enclosures](http://www.itsenclosures.com/Printer-Enclosures) - [Rack Mount Enclosures](http://www.itsenclosures.com/Rack-Mount-Enclosures) - [Vented Rack Enclosures](http://www.itsenclosures.com/NetStation) - [Arm Solutions](http://www.itsenclosures.com/Articulating-Arm-Enclosure-Solutions) - [Electrical Enclosures](http://www.itsenclosures.com/IceBox-Junction-Enclosures) - [Thermal Management](http://www.itsenclosures.com/Thermal-Management) - [Industrial Keyboards](http://www.itsenclosures.com/Industrial-Keyboards-and-Pointing-Devices) - [Steals and Deals](https://info.itsenclosures.com/hot-list-deals) - [Purge Controls](http://www.itsenclosures.com/Hazardous-Area-Purge-Controls) - [About Us](http://www.itsenclosures.com/about-us) - [Blog](http://www.itsenclosures.com/blog) - [Images](http://www.itsenclosures.com/Image-Gallery) - [Computer Enclosures](http://www.itsenclosures.com/IceStation-Computer-Enclosure-Image-Gallery) - [LCD Enclosures](http://www.itsenclosures.com/ViewStation-LCD-Enclosure-Image-Gallery) - [Digital Menu Boards](http://www.itsenclosures.com/ViewStation-Outdoor-Digital-Menu-Boards-Image-Gallery) - [Video Gallery](http://www.itsenclosures.com/Video-Gallery) - [Computer Enclosures](http://www.itsenclosures.com/IceStation-Videos) - [LCD Enclosures](http://www.itsenclosures.com/LCD-Enclosures-Videos) - [Digital Menu Boards](http://www.itsenclosures.com/Digital-Menu-Boards-Videos) - [VLOGs](http://www.itsenclosures.com/VLOGs) - [News](http://www.itsenclosures.com/press-releases) - [Press Releases](http://www.itsenclosures.com/press-releases) - [Case Studies](http://www.itsenclosures.com/Case-Studies) - [Product Spotlights](http://www.itsenclosures.com/IceStation-Product-Spotlights) - [Contact](http://www.itsenclosures.com/contact-us) - [FAQs](http://www.itsenclosures.com/Frequently-Asked-Questions-FAQs) # ITSENCLOSURES Blog # Computer Enclosures for Hazardous Manufacturing Environments Posted by [Matt Forsman](https://blog.itsenclosures.com/blog/author/matt-forsman) on Jul 31, 2015 8:43:00 AM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) **Prior to installation, system designers working in corrosive or [hazardous](https://blog.itsenclosures.com/blog/defining-hazardous-area-computer-enclosures) environments need to expertly analyze how to safely deploy electronics. ** ![itsenclosures_icestation_purge_unit](https://blog.itsenclosures.com/hs-fs/hubfs/itsenclosures_icestation_purge_unit.jpg?width=158&name=itsenclosures_icestation_purge_unit.jpg) Considerations for the manufacturing area’s classification and division for components such as LCDs, touch screens, HMI, computers and various other hardware is crucial. A system designer may be able to procure controllers and electronic equipment that are rated for a hazardous area and can be deployed, in such areas, out of the box. However, these systems are generally very expensive to repair or replace in the event of any type of failure. Alternative options for installing non-hazardous area electronics include using a purged computer enclosure. Purged computer enclosures offer a safe, temperature-regulated, and pressurized environment for costly electronics. The [purge system](http://www.itsenclosures.com/products/purges) is often regulated by a low-maintenance [vortex cooling unit](http://www.itsenclosures.com/products/thermal_management/cooling_options/VC2000-4X), which utilizes clean air and creates an “office-like” environment inside of the enclosure.   # **3 Considerations for Purged Computer Enclosures** 1. **Enclosure Construction**: [Purged](https://www.isa.org/standards-and-publications/isa-publications/intech/2010/september/enclosure-purging-and-pressurization/) enclosures require a certain level of protection that can be afforded in either a NEMA 4X or NEMA 4 cabinet. Stainless steel enclosure material (usually 12 gauge), that can resist corrosive areas, may be required. For less extreme environments, a painted steel NEMA 4 enclosure design may be satisfactory. Modifications, such as additional latches to ensure a tight seal, may also be required by the enclosure manufacturer.  2. **![itsenclosures_hazardous_purge_control](https://blog.itsenclosures.com/hs-fs/hubfs/itsenclosures_hazardous_purge_control.jpg?width=200&name=itsenclosures_hazardous_purge_control.jpg)Input Devices**: Many providers of purge systems will offer devices such as [keyboards](http://www.itsenclosures.com/products/keyboard_and_pointing_devices/keyboards/TIP-DT-5K) and pointing devices (hula point pointing device can be integrated into the keyboard or as a standalone option) that are available with intrinsically safe or non-incendive ratings. These peripherals are designed for harsh or hazardous working conditions and combine the ruggedness that is required with the feel and action of a regular, standard keyboard. The requirements for the area’s classification and division will dictate the use of an intrinsically safe or non-incendive device. These units are robust and are connected via barriers in the protected enclosure. 3. **Maintenance**: Accessing the electronics inside of a purged enclosure is inevitable. With that being said, maintenance personnel need to be made aware they simply cannot open the enclosure without taking certain safety precautions. It is *always* imperative for personnel to check the area to determine if hazardous gases are present. If hazardous gases exist, the system operator must shut down the equipment, *before* accessing electronics inside of the computer enclosure.  As a system designer, the best practices for specifying electronics and computer enclosures in hazardous environments include checking the systems overall rating (classification and division), as well as research into the manufacturer providing the system solution. **Always choose a manufacturer that has extensive experience of how to safely enclosing electronics in a hazardous area.** Obviously, if a company chooses the wrong solution, the results could be catastrophic. **For More Information: [HAZARDOUS AREA PURGED COMPUTER ENCLOSURES](https://blog.itsenclosures.com/blog/hazardous-area-purged-computer-enclosures)** **[![More Info on Purge Controls](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/364008/88cfcac8-b78c-4c9d-804e-ae872c2b6efa.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/364008/88cfcac8-b78c-4c9d-804e-ae872c2b6efa)** ****HAVE QUESTIONS?  LET US KNOW HOW WE CAN BEST ASSIST YOU! CONTACT AN 'ITSENCLOSURES EXPERT' AT 1-800-423-9911 -**OR-** SEND US AN EMAIL:  [INFO@ITSENCLOSURES.COM](mailto:INFO@ITSENCLOSURES.COM)****   ******[![VIEW_WHITE_PAPER_-_IF_YOUR_PC_IS_AT_RISK_SO_ARE_YOUR_OPERATIONS_](https://blog.itsenclosures.com/hs-fs/hubfs/VIEW_WHITE_PAPER_-_IF_YOUR_PC_IS_AT_RISK_SO_ARE_YOUR_OPERATIONS_.jpg?width=250&name=VIEW_WHITE_PAPER_-_IF_YOUR_PC_IS_AT_RISK_SO_ARE_YOUR_OPERATIONS_.jpg)](https://info.itsenclosures.com/if-your-pc-is-at-risk-so-are-your-operations)****** Topics: [NEMA 4X Enclosures](https://blog.itsenclosures.com/blog/topic/nema-4x-enclosures), [Computer Enclosures](https://blog.itsenclosures.com/blog/topic/computer-enclosures) ### Subscribe to Email Updates [![](https://blog.itsenclosures.com/hs-fs/hub/364008/file-700434058.jpg?width=343&height=196&name=file-700434058.jpg "Download_Product Catalog_CTA.jpg")](http://www.itsenclosures.com/Download-Product-Information) ### Recent Posts ### Posts by Topic - 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