The majority of electrical enclosures used in South Africa are coated with mild steel. Standard off-the-shelf sizes used to be locally manufactured but the tide of low-cost imported steel products has almost completely displaced local steel manufacture in this sector. The probability that there is any local content in the boxes that are bought from stock from any electrical wholesaler in South Africa is close to zero.
Local manufacturer, Allbro, compounds a special version of glass reinforced polyester (GRP) known as SMC (sheet moulding compound). This is a well-known composite material that is used in the manufacture of critical structural parts for jet skis, manhole covers, truck body parts, car parts and many consumer products that require durability greater than what steel can provide.
SMC enclosures have historically been about three times more expensive than steel enclosures, but Allbro has changed the price position of SMC enclosures. Local mould manufacture, local raw material sourcing and compounding, local labour and local energy costs, when combined, make the company’s Allbrox family the only SMC composite enclosure that can compete with cheap steel imports on price, according to Allbro.
Allbrox is amongst the most durable SMC enclosures available worldwide, thanks to a unique coating process that allows the enclosure to withstand decades of the harshest weather conditions. The material underneath the coating is also able to endure decades of abuse from the elements and Allbro goes so far as to assert that there is no enclosure in the world that will last as long as Allbrox.
Over the last five years the range has grown to include 19 part numbers covering a broad range of sizes. Allbro says the industry in South Africa is rapidly recognising the benefits of this home-grown solution and more and more specifications are being changed to support the introduction of Allbrox as a plant standard. The local support base is a fundamental aspect for the success of the product range on a competitive world stage.
High visibility 4-digit panel ammeters Electrocomp Express
Enclosures, Racks, Cabinets & Panel Products
The MP-335PAS-1 is a 4-digit 7-segment red display ammeter with a measurement range of 4 to 20 mA and a very low power consumption.
Read more...Multi-channel SMPS cable assemblies RFiber Solutions
Enclosures, Racks, Cabinets & Panel Products
Withwave’s multi-channel SMPS cable assemblies (WMCS Series) provide a wide range of multiple coaxial connectors and flexible cable assemblies with a choice of 26,5, 40, 50 and 67 GHz configurations.
Read more...Building the control panels of the future Omron Electronics
Enclosures, Racks, Cabinets & Panel Products
The industrial automation world is built on robust and efficient control panels that are designed precisely and assembled to manage machines, processes and equipment across different industries.
Read more...What’s the big deal with DPL? Spectrum Concepts
Enclosures, Racks, Cabinets & Panel Products
The dynamic performance layer (DPL) forms a key part of the construction of Nitrowave coaxial cables, Samtec’s range of high-performance RF solutions for microwave and mmWave applications.
Read more...AI domain-specific architecture Spectrum Concepts
Enclosures, Racks, Cabinets & Panel Products
Designing a new product is often an exercise in priorities, carefully balancing a range of capabilities to obtain the best overall result.
Read more...DC to 40 GHz termination RF Design
Enclosures, Racks, Cabinets & Panel Products
The TS400HM from Inmet by Spectrum Control is a 50 O termination that operates from DC to 40 GHz, and can handle an average input power of 1 W.
Read more...Complete electrical termination solutions for mining
Enclosures, Racks, Cabinets & Panel Products
Unlike other traditional direct-entry flameproof junction boxes that are made from steel, cast iron or aluminium, the Envirobox is made from a specially formulated, robust engineering polymer unique to Pratley, and is completely corrosion resistant.
Read more...Popular aluminium enclosure series expanded Sivan Electronic Supplies
Enclosures, Racks, Cabinets & Panel Products
Gainta has expanded its popular G1xx series of sealed aluminium enclosures which have an IP65 rating to provide protection against dust and moisture.
Read more...Modular sub racks, front panels and modules Vepac Electronics
Enclosures, Racks, Cabinets & Panel Products
Vero’s industry-compliant KM6 range is a modular, pluggable, 19-inch rack-based enclosure to securely house and protect electronic equipment.
printer friendly version