NEMA 4X rated computer enclosures are the perfect solution for a washdown environment. 

Computers, monitors, printers, and keyboards are an absolute must for product manufacturers, especially when it comes to automating the company’s processes. For computers to be operative in industrial settings, they are often placed in a dirty factory or plant environment, which means that they will most likely fail if exposed to harmful contaminants. Installing a NEMA 4X enclosure cabinet - to house a computer and electronics - will keep the system working for many years to come.

The beverage, food, and pharmaceutical industries, although primarily indoors, are challenging environments for electronics to exist and survive. A high pressure washdown, to reduce bacteria, utilizes harsh and abrasive cleaning solutions. Nevertheless, if not properly protected in a NEMA 4X computer enclosure, these chemicals will wreak havoc on computer systems

Stainless Steel/NEMA 4X enclosures are ideal for harsh, industrial environments where corrosive liquids pose a threat to electronic equipment.

A NEMA 4X enclosure rating ensures that the cabinet is approved for indoor or outdoor use, and will provide protection against corrosion, windblown dust and rain, splashing fluids and hose directed water. In fact, most weather conditions (snow, rain, sleet) will not harm the enclosure. When planning an enclosure deployment, consider certain accessories that will maximize utility and provide the most effective solution for the user. 

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.

Installing a purge control on a computer or pc enclosure is a popular method for deploying expensive electronics in hazardous areas.

Throughout the world, classified areas are commonplace in manufacturing environments. The classified areas exist to prevent hazardous gases and dust from igniting in the presence of electronics. Based on the National Electrical Code (NEC), there are two divisions used to describe classified areas. Division 1 is more hazardous than Division 2, because dangerous elements are more likely to be present in these areas. Therefore, Division 1 requires a higher level of protection than Division 2 locations.

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. 

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.

Many people perceive that computer enclosures are extremely expensive, but the perception could not be farther from the truth!

The initial investment may be higher than the alternative (not using a heavy-duty, tough, industrial enclosure), but the lifetime of electronics housed inside of the enclosure will be maximized when properly protected. Downtime and costly electronics replacements are never issues that a busy manufacturing facility wants to deal with, especially when problems can be prevented. Inexpensive enclosures may be appealing on the surface, but will cause problems in the future. You get what you pay for!  Expensive, vital electronics should be protected in a high quality NEMA rated enclosure to ensure the manufacturing process is up and running 24/7.

The food processing industry is quite fascinating, not to mention very important! 

If you have ever watched the popular TV show “Unwrapped” on the Food Network, you were probably amazed at the amount of intricate processes involved in producing one product, like cookies or candy. Did you see the episode about producing fruit juice? The process is quite extensive and remarkable. From processing the fruit to mixing to bottling, the amount of effort that goes into making a simple drink like lemonade is more involved than one would think. 

If you plan on installing an enclosure in a hazardous area, it is always paramount to install a ‘purge system’ that will withstand harsh surroundings and meet safety or regulatory compliance.

Purge systems are available in many different sizes and configurations, so it is wise to do the proper research and talk to a company or installer who has experience with this type of system. A poorly planned or poorly executed purge system can end up causing a disaster or explosion. But, first comes first, what is enclosure purging and how can it be used to protect computers and other essential peripherals?

How to find the best purge system for the application:

What is purging?  

Purging is the process of supplying enclosures with compressed air or inert gas at the proper flow and pressure, in order to reduce the hazardous gas inside of the enclosure to a safe or more moderate level. Pressurization is the process of bringing compressed air within an enclosure to a pressure where there is no ingress of hazardous gases or combustible dust. Both purging and pressurization are required in a Class I or gas atmosphere. However, only pressurization is required in a Class II area or dust atmosphere.

“By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.” ― Benjamin Franklin

As long as the proper planning is executed from day one, finding the best computer enclosure does not have to be overwhelming. Taking the time for adequate research can - and will - pay off in the long run. Keep in mind: not every enclosure company has the same product for the same price. Various comparisons should be made between the products. One company’s spotlight product may be priced low comparatively speaking, but could have unknown fatal flaws, which could require additional time and cash if the product fails to operate correctly. What needs to be done to find the perfect solution?