You can also find us on:

Close
Advanced Search Part-No.
Login / Registration Your location/language Canada, English

bl2407-wired-enclosures-a

WIRED HANDHELD ENCLOSURES – A BREED APART

In a world of wireless handheld devices, you could be forgiven for forgetting the continuing importance of their cable-connected counterparts. Wired devices are reassuringly dependable. Batteries are never an issue. Controllers remain connected to the main unit so they won’t go missing. And with the right strain relief clamp and anti-kink protection for the cable, the device will provide reliable service.

Handheld devices that depend on a wire for their power require a special breed of enclosure. Like every other handheld housing, they must be comfortable to grip, and offer plenty of space for controls. But they must also accommodate a wired grommet – without compromizing the overall ergonomic experience for the user.

Not every wired enclosure will spend long in the human hand. Some may sit on desktops, be attached to a wall or simply hang loose from a cable. But the ergonomics that serve handheld devices so well are also a boon in other applications. Sooner or later, someone has to touch that enclosure – so they’ll be glad that you specified a good one.

WHAT MAKES A GOOD WIRED HANDHELD ENCLOSURE?

Ergonomics vs cable connection – to quote the great Catalan architect Antonio Gaudi: “There are no straight lines in nature.” So comfortable curves are the hallmark of good ergonomics and great aesthetics in many enclosures. But on a wired enclosure, there must always be somewhere to fit a cable and its accompanying grommet – or ideally a choice of possible locations if the housing is to be truly versatile.

This means a subtle compromize between curves and flat surfaces – without it appearing as such. Good enclosures should look as if they’re giving you the best of both worlds from a design perspective.

Pre-fitted cable glands – your finished enclosure should arrive with the cable gland already attached, speeding up installation times. Some off-the-shelf housings have a cable gland fitted as standard. For others, you may need to specify a pre-fitted cable gland as a custom feature. Either way, it’s a key consideration.

Good protection – is the plastic enclosure strong enough to survive its intended working environment? Will trusty ABS (UL 94 HB) suffice in terms of strength, resilience and flammability rating? Or will the debilitating effects of the Sun’s rays become an issue over time? In which case, opt for UV-stable ASA – or a blend of ASA and tough PC, which adds impact resistance. ASA+PC is certified to UL 94 V-0 for flammability.

Operating area – how will the device be operated? With a membrane keypad? If so, your enclosure will need a recessed top. Some wired enclosure ranges can be specified either with or without a recessed top. Our CONNECT range solves this issue in a simple way. More on that later in this post…

Accessibility – how easy is it to open the enclosure for inspection, servicing and maintenance? And by the same token, how tamperproof must the housing be? This is an important issue for medical electronics in particular. Consider tamperproof Torx assembly screws – either as a standard feature or a custom request. Screwless snap-together construction is another option.

Protection against EMI/RFI – plastic enclosures are more vulnerable than fabricated or diecast metal ones when it comes to electromagnetic and radio interference. The traditional solution is a Faraday cage which uses a conductive coating or mesh to block EMI and RFI. For plastic enclosures, that means RFI/EMI shielding – vapour-plating an aluminum coating inside the housing.
 
OKW offers a dedicated range of wired enclosures. Let’s compare them…

<< BLG2407-wired-electronic-enclosures