What Is a Waterproof Box?
A Waterproof Box refers to a storage case for electrical equipment and similar devices equipped with protective features such as waterproofing and dust resistance.
When installing electrical equipment or distribution panels indoors or outdoors, it is essential to place them in robust cases to protect them from waterproofing, and dust prevention, and to prevent unintended contact by unauthorized personnel.
These boxes typically feature characteristics such as the ability to be fixed in the installation location, wiring outlets connected to the equipment, doors, and locks for opening and closing, allowing users to choose an appropriate one based on usage conditions. Moreover, some manufacturers produce Waterproof Boxes tailored to specific requirements.
Uses of Waterproof Box
Waterproof Boxes are utilized for the long-term protection of electrical equipment such as distribution panels, wireless devices, breakers, meters, and associated cables.
Outdoors, they are commonly mounted on utility poles or building walls. For instance, Waterproof Boxes enclosing control panels for traffic lights are often seen mounted on signal poles. Additionally, related equipment is stored beneath the lower part of antennas used for mobile phone relay stations.
Indoors, in places like factories, Waterproof Boxes are used to safeguard equipment such as monitoring devices and control systems from unintended manipulation. Depending on the location, they can also protect electrical equipment from water droplets and dust scattered by machinery.
Thus, Waterproof Boxes serve a broad range of purposes beyond waterproofing and dust protection. They are employed to shield equipment from malfunctions, damage, incorrect operations, pranks, and more.
Principles of Waterproof Box
Waterproof Boxes include a platform for securing equipment, doors or lids for opening and closing to operate stored equipment, locks, and screw holes for securing the Waterproof Box itself. Additionally, separate holes are provided for power cords, signal cables used in electrical equipment, and, in some cases, conduits for passing water or air.
Due to the prolonged protection required for internal equipment, both protection and airtightness are demanded. Various standards have been established worldwide for Waterproof Boxes, and certification tests based on these standards are conducted.
One well-known standard is the Ingress Protection (IP) standard established by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC). The IP standard expresses dust resistance and waterproofing capabilities with two digits following “IP.” The left digit represents the dust resistance rating, and the right digit represents the waterproofing rating. Higher numbers indicate greater protective performance.
Common Waterproof Boxes seek both dust resistance and waterproofing capabilities, and you might see markings like “IP34” indicating both ratings. If a certification for either dust resistance or waterproofing is not obtained, it is represented with an “x.” For example, if it lacks dust protection certification, it might be expressed as IPx7, emphasizing only waterproofing capability.
Types of Waterproof Boxes
Waterproof Boxes come in two main types: those made of resin (plastic) and those made of metal.
Resin boxes are suitable for applications where wireless data communication devices like IoT devices are used, as they allow radio waves to pass through. They offer high waterproofing, are lightweight, and are easy to process. Metal Waterproof Boxes, made from materials like stainless steel, aluminum, or coated steel to prevent rust, are used when robustness is especially required, such as for control panels of traffic lights for security reasons.
Shapes and sizes vary, ranging from small key cases that can hold a few keys to large boxes that can accommodate large distribution panels. The location and size of cable holes also vary, with some having holes in two places for passing cables in both directions.
Products with additional features include those with transparent plastic doors for viewing instruments inside without opening the door and those with a ground terminal for connecting an earth wire.
How to Choose a Waterproof Box
When selecting a Waterproof Box, it is crucial to confirm the required waterproofing and dust resistance capabilities.
Depending on the usage location, there may be regulations specifying the use of standards, so choosing a product that meets these standards is necessary.
Moreover, there are cases where you can purchase pre-made products from e-commerce sites and cases where you might opt for custom-made solutions. If you are looking for the ideal protective performance and shape, or if you want to add unique features, or if you cannot find a commercially available product that meets your criteria, custom-made Waterproof Boxes can be created upon request.