Method and system for environmental sealing of electrical enclosures

Abstract

As described herein, an electrical enclosure is sealed against environmental contamination. An enclosure cabinet has an interior space. The interior space is accessible through an opening. A door or cover selectively closes the opening. The enclosure cabinet is manufactured of numerous parts and has holes, joints, gaps, seams and/or fasteners. Electrical control devices are mounted in the cabinet. A thick-film elastomeric coating is on an outer surface of the cabinet. The coating has a thickness of at least 0.6 mm to provide a monolithic bridging layer over holes, joints, gaps, seams and/or fasteners to prevent environmental contamination from penetrating the cabinet.

1 . An electrical enclosure sealed against environmental contamination comprising:
 an enclosure cabinet having an interior space, the interior space being accessible through an opening, and a door or cover selectively closing the opening, the cabinet being manufactured of numerous parts and having holes, joints, gaps, seams and/or fasteners; and   electrical control devices mounted in the cabinet; and   a thick-film elastomeric coating on an outer surface of the cabinet, the coating having a thickness of at least 0.6 mm, to provide a monolithic bridging layer over holes, joints, gaps, seams and/or fasteners to prevent environmental contamination from penetrating the cabinet.   
     
     
         2 . The electrical enclosure of  claim 1  wherein the coating prevents ingress of dust and liquids. 
     
     
         3 . The electrical enclosure of  claim 1  wherein the coating is formed of 100 percent solids. 
     
     
         4 . The electrical enclosure of  claim 1  wherein the coating comprises a two-component system comprising resin and catalyst. 
     
     
         5 . The electrical enclosure of  claim 1  wherein the coating is composed of polyurethane, polyaspartic, or polyurea based elastomeric materials. 
     
     
         6 . The electrical enclosure of  claim 1  wherein the coating thickness is at least 0.6 mm. 
     
     
         7 . The electrical enclosure of  claim 1  wherein the coating conforms with International Protection rating of IP56. 
     
     
         8 . The electrical enclosure of  claim 1  wherein the coating conforms with International Protection rating of IP67. 
     
     
         9 . The electrical enclosure of  claim 1  wherein the coating conforms with the Underwriters Laboratory rating of Type 3. 
     
     
         10 . The electrical enclosure of  claim 1  wherein the coating conforms with the Underwriters Laboratory rating of Type 6. 
     
     
         11 . The electrical enclosure of  claim 1  wherein the coating conforms with the Underwriters Laboratory rating of Type 13. 
     
     
         12 . The electrical enclosure of  claim 1  wherein the door or cover includes a thick-film elastomeric coating, the coating having a thickness of at least 0.6 mm, to provide a monolithic bridging layer over holes, joints, gaps, seams and/or fasteners in the door or cover to prevent environmental contamination from penetrating the enclosure. 
     
     
         13 . The electrical enclosure of  claim 12  further comprising a gasket providing a seal between the door or cover and the cabinet.