The 6 Environmental Benefits of Polyester Electrical Enclosures
So, you know you need to install an electrical enclosure box, but you are not sure what material to use… Electrical enclosure boxes can be made from various materials including different types of metal and various plastics. In this article, we are going to explore polyester electrical enclosures – and particularly, the environmental benefits of picking polyester.
What is an Electrical Enclosure Box?
An electrical enclosure box is designed to protect the electrical equipment inside. It acts as a protective house for electrical components such as switches, wiring, circuit breakers and more. And there are multiple reasons why you should use an enclosure to protect your electrics… and we will explore plastic enclosure boxes further down the article!
Protection from Environmental Factors
Enclosure boxes protect your electrical components from moisture and water, dust and dirt, and potentially corrosive substances.
Safety
An electrical box helps with safety. It eliminates the risk of accidental contact causing electric shocks, it prevents people from tampering with the equipment and it can even stop a fire from spreading.
Aesthetic Consideration and Organisation
An electrical enclosure makes your wiring look a lot neater as it conceals the electrical components from view and it can also save you crucial space.
Why Choose a Polyester Enclosure?
As electrical enclosure boxes can be made from a wide range of materials including steel, aluminium, plastic, and even composite materials, it can be overwhelming trying to choose the right one for you. This article is all about polyester electrical enclosure boxes and we are going to explore the environmental benefits of using a plastic electrical enclosure box.
1: Low Energy Consumption
During the manufacturing process, the production of polyester generally requires less energy compared with other materials such as metal. Metal production tends to be energy-intensive as it involves mining, smelting and other steps which create high gas emissions. Therefore, the process of producing a polyester enclosure is more environmentally friendly than other materials.
2: Longevity and Minimal Maintenance
As polyester electric enclosures are highly resistant to corrosion, the lifespan is extended. As the corrosion resistance is high, it reduces the need for replacements and lowers the environmental impact associated with the production, disposal and transportation of replacement plastic electrical boxes.
3: Good Thermal Insulation
As polyester is a good insulator, using a polyester enclosure can reduce the energy wasted as less is needed for heating or cooling your electrical components. Therefore, they are more energy efficient than alternative materials and great in outdoor applications.
4: Recyclability
The ability to recycle the plastic used in plastic electrical enclosure boxes makes it more environmentally friendly as it reduces the amount of wasted resources.
5: Non-Toxic
Plastic electrical boxes have excellent resistance to chemicals including salts, acids and other corrosive substances. This chemical resistance means that they don’t require extra coatings or treatments which are often made up of harmful chemicals. This lowers the risk of environmental contamination.
6: Lightweight
Plastic enclosures are beneficial for the environment as the material is lightweight. This reduces the fuel needed during transportation of the materials, therefore reducing the product’s carbon footprint. Being lightweight also makes installation easier and cheaper.
Alternative Materials
Steel
Electrical enclosure boxes made from steel have some environmental pros and cons. Some advantages are that steel is highly recyclable and is also very durable with high impact resistance. Something that makes steel slightly less eco-friendly however is that the production of steel is very energy-intensive compared to other materials such as polyester. Stainless steel enclosures are another alternative material.
Polycarbonate
Polycarbonate enclosure boxes are very durable and last a long time. They are also lightweight and recyclable. On the other hand, the production of polycarbonate enclosures relies on fossil fuels, a non-renewable energy source and therefore is less eco-friendly than polyester for example. Polycarbonate is also known for high impact resistance, UV resistance and good electrical insulation.
Fibreglass Reinforced Plastic (FRP)
Fibreglass enclosures offer excellent resistance to chemicals and corrosion as well as good electrical insulation properties. This leads to a longer life and therefore less waste.
Conclusion
In conclusion, polyester is an excellent choice for your electrical enclosure box if you are considering the environmental impact of plastic materials. Lower emissions during production of the material make it an excellent eco-friendly choice and its corrosion resistance means that it will need less maintenance and fewer replacements.
To learn more about polyester electrical boxes, read our expert blog on the durability of plastic electrical boxes against weather conditions.
