Fuse Panel Enclosure

[1Khaleel]

Hi all,

We are designing and building a new low voltage fuse panel for a UK utility company.
Their spec says that the panel enclosure should survive for 40 years in a coastal environment.
I'm looking for ideas on what finishing/treatment/coating to use to give the enclosure a fighting chance in such harsh environment. The enclosure will have 3-5mm (1/8 - 3/16 inch) Steel skin panels.

Thank you.

 

[ScottyUK]

Hot dip galvanising?

 

[DRWeig]

Base powder coat, top epoxy coat?

Best to you,

Goober Dave

Haven't see the forum policies? Do so now: Forum Policies

 

[waross]

I am seeing more and more stainless steel enclosures. Hot dip galvanizing is good. Openings for conduit or cable entry should be made before dipping or coated with a good zinc-rich paint. Hot dip may cause large flat surfaces to warp looks bad but still usable.
My first choice would be stainless steel.

Bill
--------------------
"Why not the best?"
Jimmy Carter

 

[ScottyUK]

Austenitic stainless steels don't like chlorides, which are obviously prevalent in seawater and in spray. As far as I know these are the typical steels used for enclosures - 304, 316, etc. The guys in forum338 have forgotten more than I know about this stuff - maybe post a link to you a question over there?

 

[dpc]

I think it would have to be at least 316 SS to have any chance. Stainless steel will corrode when it remains wet in an environment without oxygen, IIRC. As long as it is exposed and can dry out, it should be pretty resistant. But 40 years is a long time. It's easy to write a specification - much harder to do something in the real world. Utilities on the Oregon coast typically specify SS enclosures (then painted)for pretty much everything they can. But I don't think they are counting on a 40 year life.

Sailors know that SS can definitely corrode under the right conditions (usually hidden from plain sight). Hot dipped galvanizing will last a long time, but I wouldn't count on 40 years.

 

[1Khaleel]

Thank you all for your input.

Some suppliers claim that a duplex treatment (powder coating on hot dip galvanized Steel) produces a longer part life (provided the two processes are tightly controlled).
Eventually it will come down to cost. I'll price both 316 SS and powder coated Steel and decide which way to go.

Regards,