Popular Uses for an Outdoor Electrical Encslosure

An outdoor electrical enclosure is commonly used as the last line of defense between valuable electric components and harsh weather elements. In both residential and commercial settings, they can be spotted on decks, roofs, and exterior walls, serving a single purpose in many different applications. West Tool Enclosures provides the best outdoor electrical enclosures on the market. With a vast catalog of sizes and configurations to choose from. Get Started here!

Outdoor electrical enclosures spend a lot of time exposed to harsh weather elements. To guarantee that they won’t leak water in and short the electrical circuits, each box must be rated by the National Electrical Manufacturer’s Association (NEMA) and approved by Underwriter’s Laboratories (UL) to meet the necessary safety standards.

West Tool Enclosures (WTE) is one of the fastest and most experienced manufacturers of UL-listed, NEMA-approved stainless steel enclosures for residential, industrial, and commercial applications. No matter what type of electrical enclosure you need, be it corrosion-resistant NEMA 4X stainless steel junction boxes, or a Type 3R lift station control cabinet, we will have it at your doorstep in as little as two short weeks.

WTE specializes in manufacturing electrical enclosures of all kinds. Because we cut all our products to order, they can be used to house control panels and electrical circuits in just about any system. It’s no surprise then that the uses of an outdoor electrical enclosure are numerous.

Residential Uses

Electrical enclosures have uses outside the house. In residential settings, these enclosures keep electrical circuits working properly by keeping weather elements and foreign objects such as dirt and debris away from the crucial components inside.

Here are two instances where outdoor electrical enclosures are used at home.

Housing Secondary Power Sources (e.g., Generators)

Many homeowners realize the benefits of having a secondary source of power on standby. This power source is often in the form of a fossil-fuel-powered generator that emits various pollutants and, therefore, cannot be stored indoors.

Any power source with electrical components that’s installed outside the building needs a weatherproof housing, in this case, a steel outdoor electrical enclosure.

A common concern voiced to us is, “will it fit my setup?” Our clients never have to worry about this because we frequently craft configurable enclosures from scratch. You give us your preferred design (through our handy online design tool), and we create the perfect enclosure or junction box for your needs. It is that simple.

Protecting Outdoor Lighting and Wireless Control Panels from Moisture

Another common use of electrical enclosures in residential settings is to protect outdoor lighting systems. Though some of the components (such as light bulbs) are relatively weatherproof, others are sensitive and require adequate protection from the elements.

The best outdoor electrical enclosure for a wiring or telecommunication system is a NEMA 4x junction box. Not only does it stand up to harsh weather conditions, but it is also completely watertight. It is also important to consider corrosion and what it can do to your electrical components. Most WTE enclosures are made of corrosion-resistant stainless steel.

Commercial Purposes

The commercial uses of outdoor electrical enclosures are numerous. We make highly configurable NEMA enclosures, each suited for a specific application.

Free-standing generator enclosures, UL enclosures for industrial control panels, and outdoor electrical enclosures all fall within the scope of what we typically manufacture at WTE. We also make custom-designed enclosures and junction boxes for purposes such as the following:

Protecting Pneumatic and Hydraulic Control Panels from Moisture and Corrosion

WTE supplies manufacturing plants, municipal and sewage lift stations, control houses, utility lift water stations in rural areas, and gas companies with UL-listed junction boxes and waterproof enclosures. Outdoor control panels, such as the ones that control hydraulic and pneumatic lifts, require solid housing. In such cases, we use 316 stainless steel: a rugged, heavy-duty, weatherproof steel, to make our enclosures durable and impenetrable.

On top of that, all our enclosure doors are attached with steel piano hinges running along their entire length. This makes them impervious to leaks. A powder coat finish can be added to our enclosures and junction boxes to give them that extra resistance to moisture and corrosion.

Providing a Cool, Glare-Free Environment for Electrical Systems

Abrasive particles, toxic chemicals, and moisture could easily damage unprotected electrical components and bring operations to a standstill. It is necessary to protect your electrical systems in an industrial environment using a steel electrical enclosure.

WTE goes the extra mile by giving all our customers an option for functional color finishes based on their application. For instance, white junction boxes are good at deflecting heat, so they can keep electrical components cool even in direct sunlight. ANSI 61 gray is another popular application in industrial environments because it is designed for maximum glare reduction.

Forest green enclosures are easy to blend into the environment and are the most visually appealing. Darker shades allow you to make your enclosures inconspicuous, while brighter colors perform best under direct sunlight and are easier to spot from a distance.

We give our clients the freedom to choose the color of their enclosures. Getting the right color finish is vital to the efficiency of the enclosure.

Car Washes

Modern car washes rely on a lot of electrical equipment to operate. Keeping equipment safe is a big ask in an environment that’s prone to extreme temperatures, chemical exposure, and moisture.

Only enclosures that can withstand long-term contact with water and chemicals can be suitably used in a car wash. Stainless steel enclosures are the best candidates for such harsh environments due to their high tolerance to temperature, chemical exposure, and physical abuse.

Why Do I Need an Electrical Enclosure Made of Steel?

Outdoor electrical enclosures need to be durable for a lot of reasons. They have to withstand constant exposure to the elements, resist corrosion, and prevent any foreign substances from getting to the electronics.

What most don’t consider is that enclosures are designed the way they are for human safety. In the event of a catastrophic malfunction, they are the first barrier against electrical fires, shocks, and explosions. Steel would be the more durable option in such instances.

Enclosures protect the electrical components housed inside them, but they also protect human life and property in the event of an accident.

5 Reasons Why Outdoor Electrical Enclosures from West Tool Enclosures Are Superior

We Always Cut to Order

Precision is a valuable attribute when it comes to cutting enclosures to order. We have specialized in exacting custom-cut junction boxes and enclosure designs for a wide range of outdoor applications.

We don’t just focus on the dimensions, but we also pay attention to the placement. Electrical boxes typically need holes for air ducts, service ports, buttons, and conduits. If these holes are not precisely cut, there may be gaps left after installation which can leak moisture and make the enclosure less efficient.

By choosing to cut-to-order, you will save valuable time with installation as opposed to either arranging wiring in such a way to fit holes that are not cut as required or sending the unit back for modification. By custom-building your enclosure with us, you will receive your unit cut-to-order and ready for wiring.

Our cut-to-order enclosures prevent moisture and air penetration, and this means they have a much longer lifespan and are more energy-efficient.

We Deliver Fully Assembled Enclosures, Ready for Wiring

WTE is one of the only places in America where you can get fully assembled outdoor electrical enclosures delivered straight to you. That’s right; we spare you the hassle of installing an enclosure from scratch by doing the assembly for you.

As if that’s not enough, our average turnaround time is 2 weeks! We will ship out your fully assembled electrical enclosure to you in just a fortnight; other manufacturers average two to three months!

We understand that time is money, which is why we save our clients time on shipping and installation whenever we can.

All Enclosures Exceed Industry Standards

Quality is guaranteed here at WTE. We have been perfecting our Midwestern craftsmanship for years, and it is reflected in the quality of our stainless steel electrical boxes.

We supply both NEMA-rated, and UL-listed junction boxes only, so you can rest assured that all our products meet industry standards. It is important that you respect these regulations when choosing an enclosure. Enclosures that don’t meet industry specifications lack the durability to withstand prolonged periods of exposure.

That’s not a problem you’re bound to encounter with WTE electrical enclosures, which are made from stainless steel of grades like 304 & 316 for rugged applications. They can withstand physical, chemical, and environmental abuse for years.

Our Design Process Is Highly Accurate

Part of the reason we’ve been able to satisfy our clients over the years is because we have an ordering process that’s designed to omit errors. Mistakes in design can cost you money and reduce the efficiency of an enclosure.

Our design tool is easy to use and straightforward. Pick a configuration and add your desired modifications through a step-by-step process. You can request data on your models at any time (even before construction begins). Cad Files, spec sheets, and submittal documents are always available during the modification process. And if you register on our website, you can keep track of your quotes and designs.

Only when a client is satisfied with their design do we invoice them. This process ensures that you have the enclosure you need even before it arrives at your doorstep two weeks later.

American-Made Quality

In a market that’s unfortunately permeable to counterfeits and knock-offs, WTE brings you American quality you can trust. Our enclosures are built to last. Each enclosure we construct is made to stand up to all kinds of weather, chemicals, mechanical damage, fire, and corrosion. With good maintenance, they can serve you for decades.

There’s no compromise to quality, and if you take your chances with a cheap knock-off, you risk exposure to harmful toxins as well as low-quality construction that will put your electrical systems at risk.

West Tool Enclosures has been a leading provider of electrical enclosures countrywide for years. We have perfected the craft of making durable, impermeable outdoor electrical enclosures for both commercial and residential applications. What’s more, we have the industry’s fastest turn-around time, and we can create enclosures for just about any type of setup. When it is homegrown American quality you’re looking for, trust WTE to deliver exactly what you need right on time. Contact us or register today.