Din Rail Enclosure advice - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / beginners

author: cparlour20
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: November 15, 2021, 02:08:53 pm
content: Good afternoon. I am looking for some recommendations for enclosures with din rails and dinrail connectors. Any help or guidance would be much appreciated.

author: penfold
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 15, 2021, 02:46:31 pm
content: Camden Boss makes some nice ones, but it very much depends on what you're trying to fit in it.With off-the-shelf DIN-rail specific enclosures, the forms don't naturally tend to connections via anything other than screw terminals along top and bottom or side, and there's always a bit of a restriction on how you mount the boards. So if you're going mad with the design then I'm pretty sure you can simply buy DIN rail clips to fit on the back of most enclosures. I know at least Lincoln Binns have DIN-rail options for their extruded aluminum case... but you end up with the case mounted sideways... giving you very little space for indicators or front connectors.

author: themadhippy
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 15, 2021, 03:17:03 pm
content: Bit of an open ended question,you can get an adaptable box and screw in some din rail and add the connectors of your choice,or spend several thousand pound on a custom built cabinet that fills the wall of your plant room .What material do you want the enclosures made from?some manufacturers only do plastic,others only metal.What sort of environment? no good putting an ip20 box outside in a petrochemical plant.Also do remember there is more than one type of din rail,and even the most popular,top hat,comes in a couple of different sizes

author: penfold
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 15, 2021, 03:29:25 pm
content: Quote from: themadhippy on November 15, 2021, 03:17:03 pmVery good point, I totally went off in my own direction there, I'll quickly add Rittal (standard for cabinets of all sizes) and Schneider (if you're on a budget). If you're talking small quantities, don't skimp on the accessories: having a removable gland plate, mounting plate, and cabinet door can save a load of time when getting things machined or starting the electrical stuff.

author: Terry Bites
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 15, 2021, 06:01:38 pm
content: Din rails can be got from your local electrical (not Electric Centre - insanely expensive) or construction trade counter eg Toolstation or Screwfix. DIN is DIN (TS35 for yanks) Much cheaper than catalogue vendors like RS or CPC.For terminals my preference is for Phoenix Contacthttps://www.phoenixcontact.com/online/portal/gb?1dmy&urile=wcm:path:/gben/web/main/products/subcategory_pages/Terminal_blocks_P-15/4784f273-1e2b-4a34-8da7-709d3af232aa

author: themadhippy
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 15, 2021, 06:35:39 pm
content: Quotewhich particular type of DIN? top hat ,mini top hat,c type or G type

author: SmallCog
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 18, 2021, 02:17:11 am
content: I use Rittal cabinets (of various sizes, styles, materials) with steel backplanes. I attach the DIN with Tek screws if there's definitely nothing going behind the backplane and it's never likely to be taken on and off, otherwise I spend a few moments longer and install Rivnuts and screws.I think my current stock of the actual DIN rail is pheonix. I've never really noticed much difference between recognised brandsMy Guillotine to slice the DIN up is Phoenix, makes things so much easier, especially in regard to repeatability and lack of burs - not a cheap tool but a very good one - some of the jobs I do use only 75mm of DIN and it's cutting/deburring with grinders is troublesome.https://www.phoenixcontact.com/en-au/products/profile-cutters-pps-basic-im-1207585Unless I'm told to use otherwise I use ABB SNK Series terminals and clamps. I like the pluggable bridging pieces that can be cut to size for things like making a row of terminals for power distribution.https://library.e.abb.com/public/3110f951e79ce66483257d24003e5179/1SNK160027C0202_SNK%20Series%20Terminal%20Blocks.pdfExample part numbers that I frequently use 1SNK506010R0000 / 1SNK505910R0000 / 1SNK906310R0000 / 1SNK900001R0000

author: Gregg
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 19, 2021, 02:34:48 am
content: Advice for DIN rail cabinets:Before purchasing a cabinet, I would suggest buying some DIN rail, mounting the required connectors etc. before purchasing a cabinet; maybe trying different arrangements to minimize wiring if it is fairly complex. Slotted wireway with covers on either side of the DIN rail will help keeping things neat and professional looking a quick search will show lots of sources.Then look for a suitable cabinet to enclose your project; I suggest a cabinet with a back board that strands off of the rear of the cabinet by about 8 to 10mm so you can fasten all of your stuff to the back board and then put it in the cabinet. I have used the Hoffmann brand cabinets, but you may find better priced local products