At NEDC, we make gaskets for all types of projects. One of the most common types of gaskets we make is something we call enclosure gaskets. We call them electrical enclosure gaskets here because oftentimes the enclosures that we are sealing off house electrical components such as circuit boards, or power supplies.
Types of Electrical Enclosure Gaskets
Connector Gaskets- These gaskets are designed to be used to go along the connectors. They prevent ingress into the physical connector, and the enclosure in usually two ways:
- EMI/RFI Protection, think MIL-DTL-83528 elastomers, Type B, and Type D are common selections for these products.
- Environmental Protection
Door/Latch Gaskets- These type gaskets are usually reserved for materials that don’t have the luxury of force. I usually suggest either a Neoprene Foam type gasket or a Silicone Foam Gasket. I included a picture of one here of an electrical enclosure I found here at our facility (on one of our die-cutting machines)These gaskets usually don’t take much of a set if their not in a difficult environment, but it’s something to keep in mind.
Materials to Try:
-HT-800 Silicone Foam/HT-820 Silicone Foam
-SCE42B Neoprene/EPDM/SBR Sponge/SCE43B Neoprene/EPDM/SBR Sponge
Cover/Aperture Gaskets- these gaskets are usually used to bridge a gap between two surfaces that are metal. Oftentimes these surfaces are not meant to come apart in the life of the application. These type gaskets usually have a fair amount of latitude in the materials that can be considered because this is not opening, and closing constantly, if ever. Oftentimes we see these gaskets with a fair amount of bolt holes in them.
Enclosure Standards used for Gaskets
IP (Ingress Protection)- IP XX, the first digit refers to solids trying to get in, such as dust and physical water, the second digit refers to different degrees of water spray
NEMA Enclosure Standards: NEMA 1, NEMA 3, NEMA 3R, NEMA 3RX, NEMA 4, NEMA 4X, NEMA 12
UL 50, UL 50E, Type 1 through Type 13, Type 1, 2, 5, 12, 12K, and 13 indoor, and Type 3, 3R, 3S, 4, $x, 6, and 6P outdoor. Similar to the Ingress Protection standards, it protects against dust, and waters entry into the application/enclosure.
More Information/Die-Cutting Gaskets
NEDC die-cuts, and waterjet-cuts electrical enclosure gaskets for many customers. For more information on gaskets for enclosures, please contact sales@nedc.com.