Bud’s lines of IP65, IP66 and IP67 rated fiberglass enclosures provide superior moisture protection for sensitive electronics.
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.”
The fiberglass-reinforced enclosures that Bud offers are made with polycarbonate plastic. 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. Of course, the fibers do interfere with transparency, so optional clear covers are made with polycarbonate plastic only.
Fiberglass 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.
The only potential drawback of a fiberglass enclosure 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. Fortunately, Bud has robotic machining equipment at the factory to modify fiberglass enclosures cleanly and quickly. In fact, most of our fiberglass boxes are enrolled in our 5-Day Modifications Program, the industry’s fastest turnaround time.
