Aluminium enclosures provide significant impact protection

Their modular design, variety of sizes (from 50x52mm to 360x254mm and with three cover heights) and comprehensive accessories means they can be configured for many different applications, including electrical, electronic and pneumatic.

However, plastic is not always the first choice of material, particularly if the application requires a significant degree of impact protection or resistance to certain chemicals; or where electromagnetic interference is frequently experienced. To make the advantages of the TK range available to a wider audience, Spelsberg has added some aluminium options.

These can be used with all the accessories normally associated with TK enclosures, such as base plates, cable glands, transparent or opaque lids.

Spelsberg UK’s Managing Director, Chris Lloyd, explained: “The TK series includes a comprehensive selection of accessories, which can be used to fit out each enclosure exactly as required. We have extended this option with the aluminium variants so that users and distributors do not have to increase their inventory, nor cope with new sets of parts numbers, model designations, special accessories, etc.”

Internally the aluminium enclosures are dimensionally identical to the plastic originals, but they are very slightly larger on the outside due to their greater wall thickness. This means the units have an upgraded impact rating of IK09 (protected against 10J impact, equivalent to impact of 5kg mass dropped from 200mm), rather than IK08 (5J). Both aluminium and plastic enclosures have an environmental protection rating of IP66 (dust tight and able to withstand powerful water jets), so are suitable for many outdoor applications.

Perhaps one of the most important similarities between the aluminium and plastic TK enclosures is that they have identical positioning of the mounting holes. This is significant because it will enable straightforward swapping out from older plastic units to aluminium ones if required.

The whole TK range, aluminium and plastic, is designed for ease of use. In large installations multiple units can be mounted side by side to create high capacity enclosures. They are also useful for custom adaptation to create bespoke solutions for applications that have special requirements.

Chris Lloyd said: “The TK series is very popular across many sectors, industrial, retail, commercial, domestic and institutional. Its multiple sizes and range of accessories make it easy to develop a solution that is well matched to its actual application.

“The aluminium variants extend TKs’ scope so that they can be used in new areas, such as for outside installations, where they may be subject to rain and other weather. The aluminium won’t degrade in sunlight nor corrode in salty coastal locations.

“They will also be good for applications where extra physical strength is required or where they could be subject to attempts at vandalism.

“Aluminium TKs should prove popular in working environments where there is likely to be electromagnetic interference or corrosive chemical atmospheres.”