NEMA cabinet: galv, phosphatize, or both?
NEMA cabinet: galv, phosphatize, or both?
(OP)
I'm working with a municipal client who needs to install many electrical enclosures on sidewalks, along roadsides, and near fields. Their old cabinets are rusting. Their original intent was to buy standard "phosphatized" and powder coated Hoffman enclosures.
Can anyone clarify if the phosphatizing treatment is any better or worse than galvanized (under paint), or if they are best paired together?
I searched the forums and didn't find anything. I'm an ME, and didn't assume that the EE forum would be any better or worse to post than here...
Can anyone clarify if the phosphatizing treatment is any better or worse than galvanized (under paint), or if they are best paired together?
I searched the forums and didn't find anything. I'm an ME, and didn't assume that the EE forum would be any better or worse to post than here...





RE: NEMA cabinet: galv, phosphatize, or both?
A good powder coat will then protect the whole thing from moisture, leaving the zinc to do its job only if there is physical damage to the powder coat.
The real trick is protecting the raw edges of any holes.
RE: NEMA cabinet: galv, phosphatize, or both?
Regards,
Cory
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RE: NEMA cabinet: galv, phosphatize, or both?
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Sometimes I only open my mouth to swap feet...
RE: NEMA cabinet: galv, phosphatize, or both?
Here's a suggestion out of left field.
Can you use painted aluminum (aluminium)?
How about fibre glass?
I don't know how thick one can make a cabinet out of aluminum, but give sufficient thickness, it may offer sufficient strength to keep out vandals?
"Do not worry about your problems with mathematics, I assure you mine are far greater."
Albert Einstein
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RE: NEMA cabinet: galv, phosphatize, or both?
In my previous life I was quite familiar with 316SS panels (and occasionally fiberglass) in maritime environments, however the clients and their economics are quite a bit different than public agencies delivering water...
RE: NEMA cabinet: galv, phosphatize, or both?
Shot Blast SA 2.5, Zink Rich Primer, 3 Coats Epoxy High Build, Polyurethane Top Coat.
We've adopted this spec for the fan motors on our cooling tower. The corrosion rate in that location is very high: cast iron mill duty motors with standard paint finish are eaten through in maybe five years. If we don't see an improvement with the new paint spec our next option is a full sub-surface marine paint job, but initial enquiries indicate that the cost for such a finish will be quite high.
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Sometimes I only open my mouth to swap feet...