Bud Industries
Fiberglass is plastic polymer reinforced with glass fibers. The demand for fiberglass enclosures is growing as the pricing becomes more competitive. One new approach is plastic infused with 10% fiberglass fibers. This adds strength to the enclosure and rigidity to the molded part, giving tighter tolerances, all while saving cost. The enclosures in this section are of this type, except for the fully fiberglass NF Series NEMA Fiberglass Enclosure. The NF series offers dent resistance, lighter weight than steel, and impressive toughness.
Learn more about how fiberglass boxes provide better protection in vulnerable situations by reading “Fiberglass Electronic Enclosures Broaden their Appeal.”
Among the plastics used for enclosures, polycarbonate has a reputation for excellent impact resistance for a reasonable cost. The addition of glass fibers increases its toughness. In fact, fiberglass has more strength than steel of the same thickness, and it is more resistant to denting.
The glass fibers do not impede radio frequency waves, making a fiberglass enclosure suitable for devices that communicate via Bluetooth or wi-fi. Good choices for these applications include the PIP Series and the PTS Series fiberglass enclosure boxes. Of course, the fibers do interfere with transparency, so optional clear covers are made with polycarbonate plastic only.
Fiberglass electrical enclosures are inherently resistant to corrosion by moisture, which is why all our NEMA 4 enclosures are also rated NEMA 4X (provides corrosion protection.)
Our fiberglass line is UV-rated for outdoor use. They have tightly-sealing gasketed covers, making them resistant to rain, blowing dust, ice, and factory washdown.
As a material for molded electrical enclosures, fiberglass has these advantageous properties.
• It is non-conductive, adding a measure of electrical safety.
• Knock-outs are available on some products, such as the PTK Series.
• It’s sturdy and impact resistant, making a good material for buried electrical boxes and locations where an enclosure could be bumped by forklifts and other activities.
• Fiberglass is resistant to moisture and salt water, which can cause corrosion of metal enclosures.
• It is suitable for outdoor applications. The fiberglass can withstand extreme temperatures and exposure to sunlight (if UV rated).
The only potential drawback of a fiberglass electrical box is that it may be difficult to modify with cut-outs. Cutting bits may have trouble getting a smooth cut on the fibers, leading to ragged openings. Glass particles that are released in the process may be a safety risk. Fortunately, Bud has robotic machining equipment at the factory to modify fiberglass enclosures cleanly and quickly. In fact, most of our fiberglass electrical boxes are enrolled in our 5-Day Modifications Program, the industry’s fastest turnaround time.
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