A common question for electricians is which one is better, plastic or stainless steel enclosures. Both options have benefits and disadvantages, but one must be better. When you become with the differences between the two and the benefits each one, you can then easily select the superior material that will outweigh the costs of the enclosure by delivering great results. After all, when starting small, being cost-effective is the right thing to do.
It’s been proven that metal enclosures in general, outweigh the costs and prove to be a lot more durable and safer for the environment in comparison to the plastic ones. Stainless steel enclosures outperform plastic ones in terms of durability, strength and ability to withstand impact.
Stainless steel enclosures are also known to be corrosion resistant. This is due to the presence of Chromium, which in a combination with oxygen forms a thin film that acts as a barrier protecting the enclosure from corrosion. Plastic enclosures on the other hand can survive in various environments, however are still not as durable as the stainless steel ones can.
Additional properties of steel that make these enclosures a lot more attractive, safer and cost-effective than plastic ones include:
- stainless steel isn’t as susceptible to ultraviolet exposure and weather damage as plastic. As much as you think the influence of ultraviolet rays isn’t noticeable on any material, it takes its taxes on the way how an enclosure will perform. For instance, a fiberglass enclosure that is exposed to direct sunlight will eventually result in a fiberbloom.
- is suitable for protecting valuable items from extreme applications.
One tip – always determine upfront where are you going to place the enclosure and what will it purpose be. All materials have flaws, as there in no such thing as a super enclosure that can withstand all environments. For instance, mild steel will eventually rust if placed in wet environments, plastic will melt if exposed to too much heat, and fiberglass enclosures will change if exposed to direct sunlight for a long time. Have in mind that this is something you’re installing with the intention of using it for long period of time, so quality and suitability are something to consider upfront.
All in all, metal enclosures are generally better than plastic ones. Plastic has one major flaw that makes it inferior to steel – it’s not as durable and can’t withstand extreme conditions like fire, ultraviolet rays and extreme applications. It can easily melt and cause even bigger damage. This leads to flaw number two – it’s expensive. Metal enclosures are cost-effective because they last and there won’t be any need for changes for quite some time, while plastic enclosures come with high maintenance costs. With every damage that may happen at any point, you’ll be forced to buy a completely new enclosure.
