NEMA 1 Enclosure

Preventing dirt accumulation is vital for electrical and electronic systems:

• Premature wear: Dirt can make moving parts wear down more quickly.
• Overheating: Dust layers cause issues with heat dissipation, potentially leading to overheating or less-than-optimal performance.
• Poor contact: Accumulated dirt and dust can prevent electrical parts from making proper contact, leading to inconsistent functioning.

Protecting electric equipment against dust and dirt helps organizations avoid downtime. High-quality electric enclosures promote worker safety, industrial security, and production efficiency.

Metal electrical enclosures offer greater durability and impact resistance than polycarbonate and ABS plastic. For this reason, NEMA 1 enclosure styles for industrial and commercial applications are usually made from either aluminum or cold-rolled steel.

Aluminum is a lightweight material with natural heat dissipation. It also resists oxidation without the need for protective coatings. They’re an excellent solution for protecting electronic and electric components that are at risk of overheating.

Cold-rolled steel is stronger and sturdier, making it a better choice in places where accidental impacts are a risk. For access control in areas where sabotage may be a risk factor, heavy-gauge steel provides improved tamper resistance.

Steel enclosures are also more cost-effective than aluminum. That said, CRS is vulnerable to oxidation and corrosion. There are several options available for protection, such as galvanizing, painting, or powder-coating.

Even though NEMA 1 enclosures are general-purpose electrical enclosures for dust protection, there are several benefits to customization. At Bison Profab, we work extensively with manufacturers seeking custom enclosures for improved space distribution, process flexibility, or security. Customization options include ventilation brackets and built-in cooling systems, extra compartments, locking handles or cam locks, and interior mounting rails.

NEMA 1 electrical enclosures often house motor start & stop stations. They can offer a latching door but do not require a sealing surface, so they’re not suitable for applications that require completely sealing out dust, oil, water, or other moisture.

A NEMA 1 electrical enclosure is only for indoor use. On the other hand, NEMA 2 grades offer protection against drips and minor splashes, and NEMA 3 enclosures are fully rated for outdoor use.

NEMA 1 enclosures are ideal for industrial settings where dirt and light dust are present. Not sure which NEMA 1 enclosure to choose? Request a quote to get guidance from our application experts.