Electrical Cabinet Specifications

Welcome to our blog! Here, we explore “General Technical Requirements for Electrical Cabinets: Definitions and Illustrations of Mechanical Structures for Electrotechnical and Electronic Equipment.” This comprehensive guide introduces key terms and concepts across five dimensions: Orientation, Modulus, Dimensions, Space, Structural Type, and Components, all presented through an easy-to-follow table format.

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Anstorm electrical and electronic equipment mechanical structure terminology definitions and schematic diagrams
Category	Terminology	Definition	Example
Orientation	Width	Dimensions occupied by equipment along the X-axis (front-back direction) in the three-dimensional coordinates [Fig. (a)] as shown in dimension D [Fig. (b)].
	Depth	Dimensions occupied by equipment along the Y-axis (side-to-side direction) in the three-dimensional coordinates [Fig. (a)] as indicated by dimension D [Fig. (b)].
	Height	Dimensions occupied by equipment along the Z-axis (up-down direction) in the three-dimensional coordinates [Fig. (a)] as represented by dimension H [Fig. (b)].
	Front	The primary monitoring or operating face relative to the operator, typically containing monitoring or control components [Fig. (b)].
	Rear	The face of the equipment opposite the front face [Fig. (b)].
	Left	The surface is located on the left-hand side of the operator [Fig. (b)].
	Right	The surface on the right-hand side of the operator [Fig. (b)].
	Top	The top surface of the equipment [Fig. (b)].
	Bottom	The bottom surface of the equipment.
	Monitoring surface	The surface for mounting monitoring and measuring components.
	Operation surface	The primary surface for installing operating components.
	Horizontal surface	Surfaces parallel to sea level.
	Vertical surface	Surfaces perpendicular to the horizontal plane.
	Slant surface	Surfaces at an inclination concerning horizontal or vertical planes.
	Reference surface	Theoretical planes are used for defining geometric spatial elements.
Modulus	Module	A three-dimensional structure where all edges are integer multiples of a grid interval applies to two-dimensional grids [Fig. (c)].
	Modulus	The value of a one-dimensional modular grid interval.
	Basic modulus	The specified module is in a modular sequence, with its value equal to the basic grid interval.
	Modulus sequence	A set of rules establishing the relationship between coordination dimensions, base grid intervals, multiple grid intervals, and installation intervals for constructing equipment.
	Multiplier	Positive integers are chosen to derive modular dimensions when multiplied by the module.
	Modulus size	Positive integers are chosen to derive modular dimensions through multiplication by the module.
	Digital size series	A dimensional series derived from the module and a sequence of selected multipliers.
	Grid	An orthogonal arrangement of lines of equal dimensions [Fig. (d)].
	Modulus grid	Two-dimensional or three-dimensional modular grid arrangements conforming to modular series [Fig. (a) and Fig. (e)].
	Grid lines	Lines constituting a modular grid [Fig. (e)].
	Grid points	Intersection points of modular grid lines [Fig. (e)].
	Basic grid spacing (p)	The minimum distance between adjacent grid lines in an equipment structure.
	Multiple grid spacing (Mp)	Integer multiples of the base grid interval [Fig. (f) marked as Mp].
	Mounting grid spacing	Grid spacing is used to arrange or install components within a given space [Fig. (f) marked as C].
Dimensions	Overall dimensions	Maximum dimensions occupied by the equipment along the X, Y, and Z axes [Fig. (g)].
	Nominal dimensions	Overall dimensions occupied by the primary shape of the equipment along X, Y, and Z axes excluding protrusions [Fig. (g)].
	Effective dimensions of the mounting surface	Plane surface area available for component installation.
	Effective dimensions of mounting space	Available space within the equipment structure for component mounting.
	Maintenance space dimensions	Movement space required for personnel or tools within the equipment for maintenance and repair.
	Opening Dimensions	Dimensions of openings on panels or doors for component installation [Fig. (h) a, b, d, etc.].
	Coordination dimensions	Reference dimensions for coordinating mechanical interfaces (not manufacturing dimensions).
	Plug-in panel installation dimensions	Dimensional positions for panel mounting onto racks or cabinets [Fig. (i) marked as W0].
	Equipment installation dimensions	Positions and geometric dimensions of equipment mounting holes [Fig. (j)].
	Plug-in panel slot or mounting hole dimensions	Geometric dimensions of slots or holes on racks or cabinets for panel installation [Fig. (k)].
	Interface dimensions	Fit dimensions for junctions between components or equipment.
Space	Compartment	Enclosures are typically closed unless opened for internal wiring, operation, maintenance, or ventilation [Fig. (a)].
	Opening angle	Maximum rotational angle of hinged parts like doors, frames, or covers [Fig. (x)].
Structural type	Structure	The sum of interactions and connections between all parts, materials, and components of the product.
	Structural type	A classification method expressing basic structural characteristics.
	Fixed structure	Equipment structures with fixed installation positions.
	Mobile structure	Equipment structures are capable of relocation.
	Portable structure	Portable equipment structures.
	Open structure	Structures without specialized enclosure protection.
	Protective structure	Structures with specified enclosure protection levels.
	Combined structure	Structures enabling the modular assembly of multiple units into desired equipment.
	Plate structure	Main components of equipment, assembled or welded from sheet metal.
	Profile structure	The main components are made from profile sections.
Overall structure	Entire piece	Components with a complete, independent structure or function, possibly assembled from smaller parts.
	Equipment structure	Mechanical structures accommodate electrical or electronic systems and ensure compatibility among components.
	Rack	Enclosure-less structures for housing electrical or electronic equipment [Fig. (i)].
	Rack row	Series of parallel-mounted racks of similar height and depth [Fig. (m)].
	Chassis	Special mechanical structures supporting electrical and electronic components [Fig. (n)].
	Screen	Racks with fixed panels [Fig. (o)].
	Screen row	Screens in series, often similar in height and depth [Fig. (p)].
	Cabinet	Freestanding or self-supporting enclosures, often with doors and detachable panels [Fig. (q)].
	Cabinet row	Racks or cabinets arranged linearly [Fig. (r)].
	Box	Small enclosures mounted on tables, walls, or surfaces [Fig. (s)].
	Console	Enclosures on tables or floors with horizontal, vertical, or inclined surfaces to accommodate control or monitoring devices [Fig. (t)].
	Plug-in	Units inserted into racks, supported by rails, including plug-in boards and framed or boxed units [Fig. (u)].
	Plug-in box	Structures housing printed boards and plugins [Fig. (v)].
Components	Component	Assembled parts forming structural elements, either detachable or integral.
	Part	Single-piece components without assembly.
	Beam	Horizontal supports in structures [Fig. (W)].
	Column	Vertical supports in structures [Fig. (W)].
	Base	Base supports, often frame-shaped [Fig. (W)].
	Castor	Components with wheels for equipment mobility.
	Panel	A plate is usually placed on the vertical mounting surface at the front of a rack or cabinet [Figure (X)]
	Back panel	A plate was installed behind the equipment (opposite to the front) [Figure (X)].Note: A plug box, refers to the board used to interconnect the connector and the printed circuit board
	Cabinet cover	A component on the outside of the cabinet is used to protect against accidental contact and environmental influences [Figure (y)]Note: Cover panels can be considered as a general term for side panels, top panels, bottom panels, etc.
	Side panel	Panels on both sides of the equipment [Figure (x)]
	Top panel	Panels on the top of the equipment [Figure (x)]
	Bottom panel	Panels on the bottom of the equipment [Figure (x)]
	Door	Hinged cabinet cover panels with typical latches and/or locking devices [Figure (z)]
	Cover	Panels covering holes in the casing, usually fixed with screws [Figure (a’)]
	Partition	Panels that divide the internal space of the equipment structure in the vertical or horizontal direction [Figure (a’)]
	Observation window	A window-type panel is used to observe the internal components of the equipment Transparent component [Figure (a’)]
	Ventilation window	Component installed on the housing to facilitate airflow and dissipate heat inside the equipment [Figure (a’)]
	Ventilation hole	Hole on the housing to facilitate airflow and dissipate heat inside the equipment, often in the shape of a circle, rectangle, or louver [Figure (a’)]
	Mask	A transparent component installed in front of the equipment or plug-in box to protect and observe the internal components of the equipment
	Air duct	A channel in the equipment structure that guides the airflow
	Lifting ring	Component for lifting equipment [Figure (x)]
	Cable inlet	A hole in the equipment housing allows the cable to pass through and enter the equipment [Figure (a’)]
	Hinges	A rotatable and foldable connector [Figure (b’)]
	Plug-in guide rail	The plug-in box is used to guide, fix, and support the plug-in and printed components with plug-in components Components for supporting panels [Figure (c’)]
	Slide rail	Components for supporting and sliding plug-in boxes and chassis in racks, cabinets, and boxes [Figure (d’)]
	Telescopic slide rail	Components for supporting plug-in boxes and chassis that can be withdrawn and retracted in the extended position [Figure (e’)]
	Stopper	Components for limiting the extreme positions of movable parts
	Swivel frame	Hinged frame for fixing electrical and (or) electronic equipment, which can be rotated to access its back [Figure (f’)]
	Mounting plate	A board for mounting electrical and electronic devices is placed in the cabinet [Figure (g’)]
	Mounting frame	Frame structure for mounting electrical and electronic devices, which can be fixed or moved in the cabinet [Figure (h’)]
	Mounting bar	Strip parts for mounting components, devices, and parts [Figure (i’)]
	Mounting rail	Guide-type parts for quickly mounting components and devices [Figure (j’)]
	Bus duct	Support busbars and prevent contact with busbars Components for clamping and supporting busbars [Figure (k’)]
	Bus clamp	Insulating components for clamping and supporting busbars [Figure (l’)]
	Wire clamp	Components for clamping and supporting conductors [Figure (m’)]
	Wire duct	A trough-shaped component for laying conductors or cables, usually with a cover [Figure (n’)]
	Sealing gasket	An elastic component that acts as a seal at the joint of the components
	Plug and puller	A mechanism that facilitates the insertion and removal of the plug-in unit, which may have a locking function [Figure (o’)]
	Handle	Components installed on the door for opening and closing the door [Figure (p’)]
	Handle	Components installed on the chassis for carrying
	Handle	Components installed on the plug-in unit or plug-in box, mainly for horizontal pulling [Figure (q’)]
	Foot	Components that support the casing and prevent it from directly contacting the mounting surface [Figure (q’)]
	Support foot	A support installed on the bottom of the box to make the box tilted [Figure (r’)]
	Lock	It is installed on the door and plug-in unit of the equipment and requires the use of special tools (key)
	Locking piece	A device installed on the door and insertion unit of the equipment, which can be opened without the help of special tools
	Fence	A component that protects against direct contact from any direction of frequent approach
	Shielding cover	A non-fully enclosed component that isolates or weakens the influence of electric, magnetic, or electromagnetic fields [Figure (s’)]
	Shielding box	A fully enclosed component that isolates or weakens the influence of electric, magnetic, or electromagnetic fields [Figure (t’)]
	Shielding plate	A plate-shaped component that isolates or weakens the influence of electric, magnetic, or electromagnetic fields
	Shielding net	A mesh component that isolates or weakens the influence of electric, magnetic, or electromagnetic fields [Figure (u’)]
	Vibration absorber	Elastic components that reduce the influence of vibration on equipment or components [Figure (v’)]
	Radiator	Parts that increase the heat dissipation area of ​​components and accelerate heat dissipation [Figure (w’)]