A 101 Guide to Enclosures and Cabinets
Read below to find out more about the standard parts you need to build a secure enclosure or cabinet.
The standards for industrial cabinets vary across industries but the requirements remain the same; whether you’re looking to design an electrical box in the telecommunications industry or you’re creating vertical bike storage near a train station to prevent theft, the enclosure should ideally be strong, long-lasting and safe – all of which is achievable with WDS Components and this trusty guide to help you along the way!
Below, you’ll read more about the WDS parts you need to build an effective and durable enclosure or cabinet. Using our website provides you with access to over 25,000 products complete with CAD models enabling easier integration into your own system when engineering designs on platforms such as Solidworks, ME10, AutoCAD and others.
Register online for FREE to get access to all these 3D models as well as emails on the latest news at WDS Components. We'll give you industry insights to the likes of the medical industry, woodworking tips and a guide on how stainless steel is used in the food and beverages industry- what more could you ask for? In the meantime, read below for more information on the best standard parts to help you create strong, safe and secure enclosures and cabinets.
Bow Handles
We have an impressive range of handles combining an assortment of styles and materials to suit your application. Bow handles are particularly popular as they have a number of properties to complement a variety of environments. If you’re seeking to install an electrical enclosure, you may want to consider applying a WDS 8520 handle made from glass reinforced plastic (GRP) as most are suited for 19”housing and they have a load capacity of 50kg- a feature to consider if you’re applying the handle to heavier industrial doors.
Another benefit of our handles such as bridge pulls or ledge handles and pulls is the colour variety. Oftentimes, you’ll find pure orange, jet black, light grey, traffic red and other colours available. This can be helpful if you want to alert people nearby of the danger with the contents of the enclosure as a safety precaution or alternatively, you may wish for the handle to blend in with the door or piece it’s attached to. In some cases, we’ve found that customers like to colour co-ordinate enclosures, hence apply different coloured handles.
Quarter Turn Latch Kits
In most situations, when electrical elements such as fuse boxes are installed, a limited amount of individuals will have access to it, in essence Technicians and Engineers, for health and safety reasons. The best way to secure these enclosures is applying locks, catches and/or latches (which lucky for you, WDS Components supply).
One of the latest additions to this product range are our quarter turn latch kits (WDS 8559, 8562, 8564, 8565 and 8567) available in stainless steel, polyamide and zinc die cast. Check out our full range of lock kits to find the best style for your design; you’ll find we have square, triangle, keyed and non-keyed, plus pin type kits. Our product portfolio is extensive in this department so if you would like some more assistance choosing the best latch kit, you can consult with our Technical Team. Either call them on 0333 043 5443 or fill in our online contact form and they’ll be happy to help!
Locking Plates and Security Covers
Within our locks, latches and catches range, we supply locking plates and security covers if you’re looking to add a padlock to your enclosure. These are sold in both steel zinc plated and stainless steel plated. The material is an important element you may want to consider if your cabinet will be stored outside as weather conditions are likely to impact on the longevity of the part. If you would like to read more about stainless steel grades and their benefits, check out our article in the Tech Spec section for detailed technical information.
If you’re looking for locks and catches, you’ll probably require hinges too. WDS Components have many different variations of hinges depending on your attachment and its main use. This alters according to load capacity and the environment it’s used in such as electronical, corrosive, outdoors etc. We supply lift off hinges, butt hinges, concealed hinges and more, perfect for doors, access points, enclosures and windows.
Vertical bike storage units feature a number of our parts including hinges, locks and catches available in steel and stainless steel.
Magnetic Catches
Magnetic catches are an effective way of keeping elements closed shut such as doors to bikes or scooters. In this situation, they are great for preventing vandalism or protecting property, hence an ideal solution to storage containers in public places such as fitness centres, railway stations, airports or shared housing areas.
These parts are simple to use as they combine a metal plate and a magnet to create a secure fastening. You can apply them to a variety of doors and find them on cabinets, electronic enclosures and are a safe way to look after vehicles too. Check out our black polyamide magnetic catches here. Don’t forget to grab yourself a few fasteners to attach the magnetic catches to your door such as screws, nuts and washers.
Benefits of magnetic catches:
- Easy to install (ours come with holes to securely fix your catches in place)
- Long-lasting
- Simple to use (once the catches are attached, you’re set to go)
- Good replacement in situations where non-locking catches cannot be used
Magnetic catches are an effective way of keeping access points safely and securely closed.
Hand Knobs
In situations where you have electrical enclosures, fuse boxes or other industrial cabinets, it’s likely a control panel may be involved too which is why we can help you out with mushroom pull knobs and control knobs too. If you’re looking to install an emergency stop button we’ve got traffic red (RAL 3020) pull knobs at your disposal with stainless steel or brass inserts.
Click here to check out our full range of hand konbs and grips.
Control panels feature hand knobs in various colours and include elements such as hinges and magnetic catches for safety and protection.
When building enclosures and cabinets, it’s important to create a strong, last-lasting and in some cases, a weather resistant design. All the parts discussed above such as handles, hinges, latches and catches are great additions to incorporate and are accessible through WDS Components.
Are you ready to place an order? Then head over to our product pages and pop the parts you need in your basket. If you’d rather place your order over the phone, contact our Sales Team on 0333 043 5445. If you’d like a little more advice to build the perfect cabinet, get in touch with our Technical Team via telephone or using our online contact form.
