Hello Dan,
The service life of enclosures located outdoor can greatly vary and is difficult to predict. This is due to the number of environmental parameters, such as UV exposure and humidity, that can influence how long an enclosure will last. However, you can maximise durability by addressing a few key points.
First, wherever possible, you should choose a protected area to install the enclosure. For example, porches or alcoves can provide a shield against direct sunlight and rain.
Secondly, you should choose products made from particularly durable materials for outdoor conditions. For example, polycarbonate (PC) is UV resistant and can withstand extreme temperatures and sudden changes. When extreme levels of protection are required, glass reinforced plastic (GRP) should be considered.
Thirdly, it is important to select enclosures that can avoid penetration of water and dust. More precisely, IP65 or above are highly recommended. In addition, you should choose a system that has the correct number of entries for your specific application, as drilling new holes into the enclosure would compromise the ingress protection rating.
Finally, you can benefit from durable and reliable solutions by selecting products that have been tested to ensure optimal performance in challenging applications. For example, enclosures certified according to relevant DIN EN and/or UL standards offer verified resistance against specific conditions, such as heat.
Spelsberg manufactures standard and bespoke enclosures using the latest techniques and the best quality materials in order to ensure highly performing and reliable solutions.
The products are tested extensively according to different national and international standards in in-house, fully-certified laboratories. In this way, end users can rely on suitable levels of protection. You can read more about Spelsberg’s quality testing facilities here: https://www.spelsberg.co.uk/customising/testing-laboratory/testing-according-to-vde-and-ul/
For enclosures installed outdoor, we offer both PC- and GRP-based enclosures with different IP ratings. You can have a look at them here: https://www.spelsberg.co.uk/product-finder/
If you have specific requirements for your intended outdoor application or need a bespoke solution, please feel free to send me a private message to discuss the specific requirements your enclosure needs to meet.