Bud has many options for selecting an outdoor weatherproof electrical enclosure. Outdoor waterproof enclosures have all the protection of indoor only NEMA or IP rated enclosures but also protect against the extremes of weather such as rain, snow or sun while protecting circuit boards, wiring, and electrical components from environmental hazards.
All weatherproof boxes feature a specifically tested gasket and and sealing approaches.. However, not all waterproof electrical enclosures are suitable for outdoor use. The waterproof protection must be strong enough to protect against severe wind, moisture, and temperature extremes. (See our guide to IP and NEMA ratings.) In addition, the enclosure should resist corrosion. Finally, plastic enclosures must be made of UV-rated plastic to withstand the degrading effects of sunlight.
Bud offers outdoor enclosures in polycarbonate plastic, fiberglass, aluminum, steel, and stainless steel. These find use in a wide variety of applications, including solar energy, telecommunication, infrastructure, agriculture, marine, oil fields, outdoor lighting, security, and wastewater treatment.
Screw-down or hinged covers A cover secured with screws provides a tight, even seal against the ingress of moisture and wind-blown dust. If the enclosure needs frequent access in the field, then hinged covers are available that secure tightly with screws or latches. Our IP68 DPH Series box is a hinged version of our DPS Series box with a screw-down cover.
Opaque or clear covers: For many series of plastic enclosures, such as our popular PN Series, clear covers are available. They provide users the ability to see indicators and displays without opening the cover and exposing the electronics to water and weather.
Special purpose designs: Some outdoor enclosures are specially designed for specific applications, such as signal terminations and fiber optic cable connections. Others have knockouts making them ideal for use as junction boxes.
RF considerations: Plastic boxes are permeable to radio signals and therefore are suitable for outdoor Wi-Fi and wireless communications applications. Bud also offers an aluminum enclosure with a shielded gasket for RF and EMF immunity.
Mounting options: Some box enclosures feature threaded mounting holes in the rear, simplifying their installation on equipment. Other enclosures, like the AN-A Series with flanges, are designed with mounting flanges for easy wall mounting. Optional mounting brackets are available as well as pole-mounting brackets that fit most series.
Accessories: No enclosure is useful without cutouts for power and signal wiring at a minimum. Of course, any opening could compromise the waterproof rating. Bud offers cable glands that slip around cables and connectors to seal openings.
For applications where condensation and air-pressure changes are a concern, we offer a vent that allows airflow but blocks water.
Also, Bud offers interior accessories such as mounting panels and DIN rails that make it easier to mount internal components.
Many of our outdoor, waterproof enclosures are covered by our exclusive 5-Day Modifications program, the fastest in the industry. Using robotic CNC machining, Bud can economically make cutouts to your specifications in as few as five days. Combined with our unusually large inventory, our program helps you deploy faster and get products to market faster.
Other modifications available include digital printing, custom-color finishes, and pre-assembly.
