Tag Archives: junction boxes

The “Gasket” Nightmare

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I was a project engineer working for a Building Automation Solutions company about twenty years ago. It was my first experience working with electrical and control junction boxes which housed all the required controllers, terminal blocks, networking devices, circuit breakers, power supplies etc.

Back then, it was very laborious and time-consuming to install the equipment inside the junction boxes as all the internal and field wiring were needed as well in order to complete the working installation. This was then followed by the need to request for the end user to witness and approve the Factory Acceptance Test (FAT), Site Acceptance Test, and Testing & Commissioning etc. before we could wrap up the project and finally invoice the client accordingly.

My “nightmare” happened two months into a completed project when several previously-installed outdoor “Weather Proof” IP 66 junction boxes were found with rainwater seeping into the panel that destroyed the electrical/electronic components.

Upon further investigation, it was discovered that the rubber gasket which was supposed to keep the water and dust out of the junction boxes was made of inferior material. The problem was compounded after constant exposure to adverse weather elements in those two months after installation works were completed.

On hindsight, the failure of the gasket had resulted in the need to replace all the damaged components as well as the need to re-install the junction box and re-arrange all the required testing.

As a result of this incident, the end user lost confidence with the rest of the working Junction Boxes and we needed to replace all the installed outdoor “Weather Proof” IP 66 junction boxes so as to regain the customer’s faith in our products.

Thus, when Phoenix Contact first launched the new innovation of Clipsafe Ex Junction Boxes, the very first thing I examined was the gasket. I am relieved to learn that the gasket is of superior quality and has been put through rigorous testing and certification regimes. Thus, I am convinced and assured that similar incidents like my previous encounter will not repeat itself. I will be proud when I promote these Junction Boxes that will address my customers’ needs.

Want to find out more? Feel free to contact us at marketing@phoenixcontact.com.sg!

CLIPSAFE Junction Box

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When you ask for a Phoenix Contact CLIPSAFE Junction Box, you receive a high quality product with a range of empty enclosures, made of stainless steel and polyester. CLIPSAFE Junction Boxes can be used in hazardous environments, and upon approval, can be installed in potentially explosive areas.

The 3 main classes of junction boxes are as follows:

  1. Ex Stainless Steel Empty Enclosures
  2. Ex Polyester Empty Enclosures
  3. Polyester Empty Enclosures

 

  1. Ex Stainless Steel Empty Enclosures

The CLIPSAFE stainless steel Ex enclosure product range provides comprehensive protection for your applications in industrial environments and in process technology. The product range consists of enclosures in sizes of up to 1000 x 1000 x 300 mm. Upon request, Phoenix Contact can provide ATEX and IECEx-approved junction boxes.

  1. Ex Polyester Empty Enclosures (GRPs)

The comprehensive range of CLIPSAFE polyester Ex enclosures provide comprehensive protection for your needs in potentially explosive areas. Upon request, Phoenix Contact can provide ATEX and IECEx-approved GRPs.

  1. Polyester Empty Enclosures

The extensive standard CLIPSAFE polyester enclosure range provides robust standard enclosures for industrial environments as well as for non-explosive areas in process industry. The enclosures are suitable for control boxes and junction boxes, suitable for most of your requirements.

We can customize the enclosures to your specifications with threads, bore holes complete with components and cable glands. And custom control boxes with electronic components are available on request.

Interested to find out more? Please send us an email at marketing@phoenixcontact.com.sg

CLIPSAFE – Your one-stop junction box solution

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The “Blame Game”

Have you ever been bothered by such a situation?  Picture this, you have just completed your run on a beautiful day only to return home and realize that your feet are full of blisters. Should you put the blame on the shoe manufacture for using a material that is too tough, or would you blame the socks company for using a material that is too soft?

shoes

Things can potentially get uglier when it comes to planning for or executing a project. Have you had the unfortunate experience of opening a ‘Brand X’ junction box, to find yourself having ‘Brand A’ terminal blocks and maybe some ‘Brand C’ cable glands or markings inside. If there is a fault, who you should go to?

You may potentially find yourself being trapped in the “Blame Game” if you are having two or more different suppliers involved.  And if you have ever been trapped in one, you will know that the chances of successfully finding a solution and getting out is very minuscule.

What if there was a supplier who could provide you with a one-stop shopping experience?

CLIPSAFE – Your one-stop junction box solution

Over the years, many of our customers have requested Phoenix Contact to provide one-stop services where they not only purchase standalone components but are able to purchase a solution. We realized it made perfect sense for us to develop a portfolio of “basket or box” which would allow us to further improve our customers’ buying experience. This was the genesis of our CLIPSAFE range of junction boxes.

CLIPSAFE family of boxes

CLIPSAFE Family

 

As we all know, a junction box is just like the body. A healthy body needs a healthy heart – the components to be installed in the junction boxes. With more than 92 years of component manufacturing experience, you are assured we have maintained, and improved, on the quality of our ‘hearts’ over the past 9 decades.

Phoenix Contact’s CLIPSAFE junction boxes offer you the flexibility in choosing various hassle-free solutions.

Ex and NEMA 4X junction boxes equipped according to customer specifications

You can obtain CLIPSAFE enclosures fully equipped with terminal blocks and cable glands on request. Terminal boxes are delivered with the corresponding equipment approval in accordance with ATEX and IECEx for use in potentially explosive areas.

Steel CLIPSAFE box

CLIPSAFE Hi-grade Steel

 

Ex control boxes according to customer specifications

Individual control boxes with electronic components are available on request. With detailed engineering and planning, we will be able to support you in any complicated field-bus or control boxes requirements.

CLIPSAFE Control Box - Steel

CLIPSAFE Control Box – Steel

Empty Enclosure Ex or NEMA 4X

Still unable to make up your mind as to which components need to be installed in your junction boxes? Fret not.

You can always maintain the flexibility to design and assemble your own components as required by selecting our CLIPSAFE empty boxes.

Choose the right junction box housing for your application; from Stainless Steel to GRP material. We have more than 140 Ex-approved and NEMA 4X versions. Custom dimensions and surface treatments for Stainless Steel are available on request. The delivery is carried out with the corresponding components’ approval in accordance with ATEX and IECEx.

CLIPSAFE Empty Box - Steel

CLIPSAFE Empty Box – Steel

Empty Ex or NEMA 4X enclosure machined to customer specifications

Simply means junction boxes with pre-treated holes and cut outs. We adapt the housing to your request to include threads, drilled holes and rectangular cutouts while taking into account Ex-standards in accordance with ATEX and IECEx. The delivery is carried out with the corresponding components’ approval.

Empty box with flange plates and cover

Empty box with flange plates and cover

With all four types of CLIPSAFE offers, Phoenix Contact believes we will be able to address your needs. Not to forget, a good solution always comes with good quality and design. Do check out our CLIPSAFE Quality and Introduction videos below!

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