SIMCO Disclosures

We discuss all things to do with plastic enclsoures and thier applications in the electronics industry.

What Makes a Good Plastic Enclosure?

May 31st, 2015

24TB-IVORY-L-WEB

The reason why consumers purchase a plastic enclosure is to protect an electronic device from external elements like weather, dirt, and a lot more. Unfortunately not all plastic enclosures offered in the market right now are of good quality that is why it is important to know the different qualities that make a good plastic enclosure.

Kind of Plastic Used

There are a handful of plastics that can be used to produce plastic enclosures. There are plastics that emit highly toxic fumes while there are other kinds that are safer for the environment. Here are some of the plastic materials that you should look for your electronic device:

ABS Plastic

Short for acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, ABS is a combination of three plastic elements that produce highly durable yet less hazardous polymer. ABS is the plastic material that Simco uses to ensure durability and safety to users. This plastic can hold form even if exposed under extreme temperatures, which makes it a reliable enclosure.

PC

Polycarbonate plastic is another durable material used to create plastic enclosures. The advantage of using PC plastic is it has a high IP rating which means that it can protect electrical devices from dust and moisture. PC is also a naturally flame retardant material so it safe to use for residential as well as industrial settings.

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Ratings of the Plastic Enclosure

When you look at different plastic enclosures, there are letters and numbers printed on it which a lot of users do not understand. These letters and numbers are actually ratings given by international organizations to let the public know that limitations and capacities of the different plastic products. As consumers, it is important to understand what these ratings are prior to purchasing plastic enclosures.

IP Rating

More formally known as the Ingress Protection Marking, IP Rating give the degree of resistance of the material against external factors such as dust and water. This rating is given by the credible organization called International Electrotechnical Commission.

An IP Rating is written in numbers and letters. The first digit indicates level of resistance against dust and other solids. For example if the first digit of the IP Rating is 6, this means that the plastic enclosure is dust proof. Anything less than 6 means that the enclosure is just dust resistant. Meanwhile the second digit indicates level of resistance against the intrusion of liquids where 1 is the lowest level and 9 is the highest. If a letter K is added after the second number on the IP Rating, this indicates that the enclosure can resist even intense water jets.

Simco boxes always have a rating of IP65 which means that the plastic enclosure is dust and water proof.

UL Rating

UL stands for Underwriters Laboratories. This is an American consulting company that performs safety analysis for different technological gadgets. For plastic enclosures, UL Rating is given to ensure fire resistance. Most plastic enclosures produced by Simco have a rating of 94VO which ensures resistance to fire and extreme heat.

Other Add-ons

ROHS

ROHS is not a rating but rather a compliance that is required for companies that use materials that may be susceptible to toxic metals such as lead and mercury. Having an ROHS mark on a product means that the said product is free from any toxic materials. This compliance is implemented by the European Union and is closely related to the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive or WEEE.

EMI/RFI

This abbreviation stands for Electromagnetic Interference or Radio Frequency Interference which protects electronic gadgets from vulnerability and radio frequency jamming. Although not a requirement for all plastic enclosures, EMI/RFI is a good option for users that rely on radio receivers or radars in their business.

Simco also offers EMI/RFI upon the request of the clients.

There are many requirements that make a plastic enclosure reliable and durable. Knowing all these ratings and compliance will make your search for the perfect plastic enclosure easier and more efficient. Do not just look at the exterior design because this does not guarantee safety from toxic materials. SIMCO is proud to say that all of its plastic enclosures have received high ratings and follow all compliance needed.

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SIMCO Disclosures

We discuss all things to do with plastic enclsoures and thier applications in the electronics industry.