Electronic Enclosures

Electronic enclosures, also known as electronic cabinets, are structures used to house electrical systems and wiring. Often manufactured as boxes, electronic enclosures are made to protect their contents from physical damage from impact, moisture, contaminants and the like. They also protect their contents from electromagnetic interference. In turn, electronic enclosures can protect people from electrical surges and other dangers like that. In essence, electronic enclosures are shields, jackets or tents.

Electronic components typically found housed within electronic enclosures include audio equipment, switches, computer servers, conduits and general connections. Because electrical equipment is so sensitive, electronic enclosures are important components of electrical equipment used in many industries. These industries include industrial manufacturing, healthcare, agriculture, automotive engineering, transportation and more. Basically, though, they're found anywhere there is electronic equipment, including in the home, in commercial buildings, in libraries and in stop lights.

Some of the most commonly produced electronic enclosures include: access points, labels, lids, keypads, removable panels and vents. Typically, they are made from materials including rigid plastics and metals like stainless steel, carbon steel and aluminum. To increase their corrosion resistance, enclosures can be galvanized. Likewise, to alter their appearance, they can be painted. In general, electrical enclosures are highly customizable. Learn more about electronic enclosures.

EMI Shielding Manufacturers

The EMI in EMI shielding is short for electromagnetic interference. Electromagnetic interference is a type of electromagnetic radiation that can interfere with, lessen or damage the various functions of electronic equipment and devices. It is able to do this when it travels along wires, electrical circuits and conductors. Simply put, EMI shielding blocks EMI. It also blocks radio frequency interference (RFI), which creates the same problems. RFI radiates electromagnetic noise and travels through the air as radio waves. When it used to block RFI, EMI shielding may alternatively be referred to as RF or RFI shielding.

EMI shielding works by creating a barrier that EMI, RFI and other magnetic and/or conductive materials cannot cross. Usually, EMI shieldings are produced in the form of an enclosure, coating or transmitted signal. No matter their exact configurations, though, EMI shieldings isolate their paired device from everything on the outside. External fields cannot get in and potentially damaging internal fields cannot get out. EMI shielding products are super important to the proper functioning of most any electronic device, most particularly communication devices. Most often, these products are made from metal foam, metal screen or sheet metal. Alternatively, they may be coated with metallic ink. Learn more about emi shielding.

Membrane Switches

As defined by the ASTM, a membrane switch is a momentary switch device in which at least one contact is on, or made of, a flexible substrate. In essence, membrane switches are electrical switches used to turn circuits on and off that simply require a substrate and a circuit. Manufacturers print the circuit onto the substrate, which is usually PET or ITO, using conductive ink. This conductive ink is typically filled with something like copper, silver and/or graphite. Note that they are not the same thing as mechanical switches, which are made up of plastic parts and copper.

Membrane switch fabrication calls for fewer materials than most. Other types of interface equipment, such as mechanically operated keyboards, tend to be more complicated and resource-intensive. This comparative simplicity of design makes membrane switches both incredibly cost effective and incredibly popular. They are also well-liked because they are easy to clean. While they are a newer technology, they enjoy an ever-growing customer base. This base is particularly strong in industries such as: aerospace engineering, electronics, gaming and recreation, medical manufacturing and safety and security. A few common examples of membrane switch applications are: microwave oven panels, TV remote controls and air conditioning control panels. Learn more about membrane switches.

Power Cords

Power cords are electrical cables that transfer electrical power using either direct electrical currents (DC) or alternating currents (AC). Most often, they use AC. Either way, the purpose of power cords, also called cord sets or electric cords, is to provide electrical energy to any appliance or piece of electrical equipment. To make this happen, users simply connect the equipment or appliance in question to the main power supply.

The metal plug component of a power cord varies by country, as different countries, like the US and the UK, have different electrical codes. Nevertheless, users tap into the main power source by plugging the power cord directly into a wall socket or indirectly into a wall socket, via an extension cord. Extension cords are extra long cords that sometimes come with power strips (full sets of extra power sockets). They can extend the reach of an electrical current literally hundreds of feet away from an outlet. Extension cords are particularly useful for use with power tools, stage lighting equipment, emergency medical defibrillators and any other equipment or device located away from a convenient power source. From the office to a construction site, power cords of all kinds are incredibly useful. Learn more about power cords.

Static Eliminator Manufacturers

Static eliminators, also known as antistatic devices, are products used to protect sensitive objects and materials from the hazardous effects of static electricity. They are not to be confused with appliances like static mixers.

Static electricity refers to electricity that is at rest, which is produced as a result of an unbalance in the molecular structure of insulating materials. Such materials include paper and plastics. When their molecular structure becomes unbalanced, they produce either excessive positive or negative charged particles called ions. Learn more about static eliminators.