GRP enclosures survive demanding environments

Edited by the Engineeringtalk editorial team Sep 12, 2006

High specification glass-fibre-reinforced polyester enclosures suit equipment such as switches, circuit-breakers, fuse switchgear, motor controlgear and other control and metering equipment.

Eaton is introducing a range of high specification glass-fibre-reinforced polyester enclosures for electrical and electronic equipment such as switches, circuit-breakers, fuse switchgear, motor controlgear and other control and metering equipment.

The Halyester range is suitable for use in demanding environments such as refineries, chemical plants, factories, breweries, construction sites and marine applications.

Whilst new to Eaton in the UK, Halyester enclosures are manufactured by Eaton in the Netherlands and are proven over many years in service in locations from the Arctic to the Middle East.

The range comprises ten different IP66 dust-tight and water-tight enclosure sizes with a choice of transparent or opaque covers.

There are also seven IP56 units with hinged, transparent doors, factory-fitted earth bars and DIN rails for installation of rail-mounted components.

Covers are unbreakable, UV-resistant polycarbonate while the enclosures are moulded from a lightweight high-impact glass-fibre-reinforced plastic that is resistant to a wide range of corrosive conditions and is suitable for use in adverse outdoor environments.

The material is self-extinguishing and maintains its properties over a wide range of temperatures.

Halyester offers total insulation and complies with IEC60439-1: "Low-voltage switchgear and controlgear assemblies - Part 1: Type-tested and partially type-tested assemblies".

It allows Form 4a separation.

Despite excellent electrical and mechanical properties, it is easy to drill, punch, cut and file.

Most of the enclosures have the same (171mm) overall depth and come in modular sizes that facilitate multi-enclosure assembly.

Individual enclosures can be enlarged by the use of coupling pieces or flanges to increase the depth.

The IP66 enclosures range in size from 270 x 180 x 171 to 720 x 540 x 201mm.

They do not have openings in the sides, making them suitable for stand-alone use.

The body is a light grey (RAL 7035) GRP moulding; covers are transparent blue or opaque light grey UV-resistant polycarbonate with a seamless polyurethane seal.

They are secured by tool-operated locking screws at each corner but hand-operated screws are also available.

The enclosures with hinged covers come in two sizes (270 x 360 and 360 x 360mm) as empty boxes or with one or two factory-fitted DIN rails.

There is also a larger (540 x 360mm) enclosure with three DIN rails.

All are fitted with earth bars.

"The addition of Halyester enclosures to our range strengthens our capability as a single source of electrical installation equipment for commercial and industrial installations", says Chris Pack, Eaton's Product Line Manager - Commercial Assemblies.

"Eaton offers a vast range of electrical installation equipment from package substations and switchboards to switches and socket outlets".

"The range includes switchgear, circuit-breakers, fuses, motor controlgear, busbar trunking systems, transient voltage surge suppression equipment, power factor correction equipment, lighting control systems - and now totally insulated enclosures".