How do you stop direct sunlight and changing temperatures damaging an outdoor enclosure?
Short answer
To protect an outdoor enclosure from direct sunlight and constantly changing temperatures, choose polycarbonate (PC) and, where possible, a sheltered installation position. Plastic enclosures cannot dent, corrode or rust the way metal ones can, and PC offers optimum UV protection, minimising discolouration and fading as well as resisting elevated temperatures: our TK PC enclosures are suitable for average ambient temperatures of up to 60°C and tolerate extremes between -35°C and 80°C. PC also copes well with high temperature changes, lowering the risk of surface cracking that can nullify the IP rating. Adding a pressure compensation device helps reduce condensation forming inside.
Polycarbonate (PC) enclosures offer the greatest performance level for direct sunlight and constantly changing temperatures. Alongside the right material, it is important to select a suitable protected location for the installation where possible, and an enclosure that can withstand the temperature extremes and other conditions specific to your intended application. Variable environmental conditions caused by alternating hot and cold weather extremes can take a toll on outdoor electrical enclosures and on the equipment they are protecting.
There are several reasons we recommend PC:
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In external installations, plastic enclosures should be preferred over their metal counterparts, as they cannot dent, corrode or rust.
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Where there is direct sunlight exposure, PC enclosures offer optimum UV protection, minimising discolouration and fading, as well as resistance to elevated temperatures. Our TK PC enclosures, for example, are suitable for average ambient temperatures of up to 60°C.
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PC is also the go-to choice for environments characterised by high temperature changes, lowering the risk of surface cracking that can nullify the enclosure’s IP rating. Again, the TK PC range can tolerate extreme temperatures between -35°C and 80°C.
It is also worth incorporating a pressure compensation device into the enclosure, as this will help reduce the formation of condensation within it.
Not all polycarbonate-based solutions are the same, and their performance can still vary greatly. Our products are manufactured using the latest techniques and the best quality materials, and they are tested extensively according to different national and international standards to ensure they offer suitable levels of protection. Our product finder lets you filter the range by material type if you want to look at our PC enclosures.
As a leading enclosures supplier and manufacturer, we are also able to customise and supply specialist solutions that meet specific requirements, for example by applying special surface coatings to maximise the enclosure’s service life.
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