Junction box speeds safe process connections

Edited by the Engineeringtalk editorial team Jan 14, 2004

Wiring junction boxes in demanding process environments is now much easier thanks to a radical new design from Hawke International.

Wiring junction boxes in demanding process environments is now much easier thanks to a radical new design from Hawke International.

The new EZ (easy-wire) enclosure will save time and increase wiring safety.

The units are EExe II 2GD IP66 rated.

After listening to the comments of field technicians, the company has developed a two-part lidded enclosure that gives better access for faster installation, easier inspection and modification.

The design also promotes durability by safeguarding the seals from the effects of the surrounding environment.

Conventional enclosures suffer several drawbacks that undermine productivity and threaten their long-term integrity.

There is limited space within them to manipulate and terminate conductors or wire instrumentation.

Access lids, secured by several bolts, are awkward to remove and are not always refitted correctly - leading to inadequate compression of the sealing gasket.

Chemicals, cleaning fluids and debris accumulate on the horizontal surfaces and may eventually cause corrosion or damage to exposed seals.

The new EZ enclosure overcomes these problems.

It has a solid back plate and base frame with a removable clamshell style lid.

Cable access is through the base of the unit, via a clip-in quick release gland plate, which is secured by just two easily accessible fixing bolts.

Models can have one, two or three gland panels depending on the desired capacity of terminals or cable entries.

When predrilled at the factory, gland plates are fitted with tamperproof EExe quick-fit stopping plugs that can only be removed from inside the cabinet.

Alternatively, blank gland plates can be fitted for drilling on site.

Cable entries can be sealed with the appropriate Hawke cable gland according to the type of cable or installation area.

Inside the cabinet, removable brackets hold the terminals, din rails, or instrumentation away from the backplate to make assembly and under wiring an easy task.

For access, the single-piece lid is hinged to allow vertical opening and secured in place by a retaining prop.

This gives the electrician full access from the front and side, with the open lid also acting as a temporary weather-shield while the enclosure is being wired, inspected or modified.

When closed, the lid overlaps the base unit protecting it from weather (if external) or wash down cleaning.

Silicone compression gaskets, concealed behind the lid, provide ultimate sealing in temperatures from -40 to +80C.

The gaskets are not directly exposed to the environment so chemicals, UV light, cleaning fluids and debris cannot attack them.

To prevent water pooling on the surface, the tops of all enclosures are angled.

A channel captures and stops any remaining water droplets from entering the enclosure when the lid is opened.

EZ boxes are engineered for extended use in harsh and hazardous environments.

Cabinets are manufactured in 316L stainless steel with an optional electropolished surface for resistance to chemical attack.

Installation is by strong welded mounting lugs.

Units can be secured by the use of a padlock while an optional holder on the front panel allows a Traffolyte label to be inserted and fixed for enclosure identification.

However, unlike other manufacturers, Hawke's identification labels are not riveted to the enclosure lid and can be retrofitted at site.

This provides the flexibility of on-site labelling and protects the integrity of the enclosure by avoiding unnecessary rivet holes.