How will cables be managed and inserted into a computer enclosure? 

In an industrial or manufacturing environment, a great deal of planning goes into designing a heavy-duty enclosure system for electronics. One very important step that can be overlooked, during the design stage, is how power and/or network cables will enter a NEMA 4 or NEMA 4X enclosure. By definition, NEMA 4 and NEMA 4X enclosures are waterproof (rain, sleet, snow, splashing water, hose directed fluids) and will not include a traditional split panel for running cables into the enclosure. Most enclosure manufacturers offer a sealed cable entry gland that will maintain the NEMA seal and provide a clean, safe way for cabling to reach the electronics. 

Many options exist and differ depending on a customer’s specific application.

When planning for a computer enclosure deployment in a manufacturing setting, there are several things to consider and patiently research. 

The following 6 tips will help system integrators plan for a successful computer enclosure deployment:

In an industrial setting, protecting a computer, printer, monitor, keyboard, and related peripherals from dangers - like humidity, dust, grease, lint, dirt, and liquids - is a must!

When searching for the perfect enclosure solution, what specific details should a company consider? The enclosure options below are designed to point out critical issues to guide a company in determining which model and accessories will create the best solution.

When deploying computer enclosures, outdoor environments create a unique set of challenges.

The risk of equipment failure - through multiple damaging reasons - requires computer equipment to withstand solar heat, rain, snow, sleet, and extreme temperatures. In addition to environmental concerns, one must consider the technical aspects that are important when installing expensive electronics in the outdoors. The internal assembly must be designed to withstand harsh, unforgiving conditions.

On the factory or manufacturing floor, computers, monitors, printers, and peripheral devices are necessary and commonplace.

Essential electronic equipment demands security and the utmost protection from extreme heat (or cold), falling dirt, destructive dust, and splashing fluids. A heavy-duty, NEMA rated computer enclosure is the perfect solution to protect the process and extend the electronics’ useful life.

Determining the overall value in quality computer enclosures and where to spend money is very important for manufacturers.

Every year, companies spend millions of dollars replacing failing electronic equipment. What if manufacturers could prevent unnecessary computer failures caused by environmental conditions? The answer lies within specifying a high-quality, durable pc enclosure. However, many IT department managers are left wondering: “How do I justify the investment to upper management?” Consideration of the capabilities of the product(s) can go a long way in the understanding of how one can maximize its use. Simply housing a lone computer - inside of an enclosure - is the equivalent of using a smart phone just to make phone calls. Make the most out of your investment by enclosing a pc, monitor, printer, power supply, and network equipment.

Regular maintenance on enclosure thermal management will prevent costly breakdowns. It is necessary on even the most reliable computer enclosure system(s).

When deploying computer or printer enclosures in a factory or industrial setting, thermal management (air conditioners, filtered fan systems, heat exchangers, etc.) should be considered to extend the life of the electronics. However, it is not a simple install and forget solution. The thermal management must be checked and maintained often.

When it comes to maintaining sanitary equipment in the food and beverage industry, operators need to be proactive about the overall cleanliness of their respective facility.

In the winter of 2011, President Obama signed into law the biggest overhaul of American food safety laws since the 1930’s. The Food and Safety Modernization Act directs the FDA to issue new regulations designed to shift the agency’s focus from responding to food safety problems to actually preventing them from ever happening. 

A good bit of thought goes into selecting the correct computer enclosure for a harsh manufacturing floor.

When looking for an enclosure that will withstand a wet, dirty, humid or wash down environment, have you considered how the cables will enter and exit the cabinet? Do not allow cable penetrations to be a weak link in the enclosure solution. If running conduit is not an option for cable entry, the next best solution is using a sealed gland that meets NEMA 12, NEMA 4, and NEMA 4X standards.

There is more to selecting the correct computer enclosure than just a low price.

To the untrained eye, various computer enclosures may look exactly the same. However, not all enclosures are created equal! A high-quality, tough, industrial enclosure maintains a better appearance in a manufacturing environment over time and will protect vital electronic components better than subpar enclosure products. When a customer makes a decision based solely on the lowest price, they fail to consider the reliability of electronics. Electrical components housed inside of a dependable, protective enclosure will have a longer life and will continue to work, even in the harshest of environments.