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FDB enclosure door gasket seals

We have a wide range of gasket sealing profiles for enclosures and cabinets at our Online store including channel fitting and edge clip-on profile sections predominantly supplied in coiled lengths for easy use in production/installation environments.

FDB enclosure gasket to fit channelsSealing with a gasket profile is generally necessary to ensure conformity with standard IP levels of protection against the ingress of dust/water. Traditional P-type sections and self-adhesive cut foam are featured as are edge protectors as are sections for inspection windows.

Appropriate IP ratings for Quarter Turn Locks and Latches from FDB Panel Fittings

The highly experienced team here at FDB Panel Fittings Online store have suggested that with so much ordering now taking place quickly and conveniently over the internet a reminder regarding IP ratings would be appropriate. IP ratings are an industry standard classification that enables users to describe the degree of protection which an enclosure or cabinet offers to operators and to internal equipment. It is therefore important that the sealing of a lock installation matches that of the rest of the housing e.g., users should be prevented from inserting a finger or a tool or wire which could lead to them being injured. Likewise, protection against the ingress of dust or water which may damage the internal electronics or electrical controls.

Thus, in an office environment for many storage cabinets and similar we can probably consider only low levels of sealing to be needed – even elsewhere in the public space we could consider only protection from the insertion of tools and ingress of dust to be needed – possibly IP44. Industrial workshops may require protection from insertion of wires with greater exclusion of dust and water – perhaps IP54. Some dusty or wet situations – or outdoor use will need a higher IP rating such as IP65 while regular high pressure wash down or exposed outdoor installations are likely to need IP66 or IP67.

A quarter turn of matching IP rating should always be selected and often IP ratings can be enhanced by ordering with sealing washers and O rings to further protect against ingress in arduous conditions – experienced hardware salespeople can usually advise. Our FDB Rocfast program is designed to simplify the specification, selection and supply process.

180 degree polyamide hinges from FDB Panel Fittings

As we get into 2024 we are delighted to offer these lightweight, strong and resilient industrial hinges in polyamide for a wide range of specialist enclosures. They are available ex-stock from our Online store for urgent delivery to suit many typical applications.

We have concealed pin hinge and semi-concealed designs alongside butt hinges with fixed or lift-off features as well as detent action, all in tough black polyamide – excellent for wall-mounted enclosures, cabinet panels, access flaps and similar.

Panel Fittings compression latches with status indication

Our online store has a wide selection of compression latches and locks carried in stock for urgent delivery – with a wide range of types suited to industrial enclosures. They are manufactured in stainless steel and zinc die-cast for robust longevity. Sealing degrees are available up to IP69K.

FDB compression latchesVersions include those with clear visual status indication and those with flush mounting capability – eg for Rail use. Others deliver the spanner lock format while there are others in the flush mounting lever handle style often preferred for use on specialist vehicles for their vibration resistance – where nuisance opening would be a problem but a space-conserving “no catch” flush profile is also required.

FDB enclosure hardware hinges

There are times in any production project when a critical component is needed urgently – when that component is a panel door hinge the FDB Online store can help with various types and styles; including lift-off, screw-on, weld-on, surface mounted, concealed, continuous and butt hinges. There are detent, spring, torque/friction and continuous types as well as regular butt designs and internal mounting varients.

They are available in zinc die, polyamide, steel and stainless steel according to specification, they are designed to suit industrial applications of all types and sizes and are carried ex-stock for rapid delivery.

FDB Panel Fittings – The Latch Solution

Keeping supply chains open and flexible, and working fast is a major challenge for all in the manufacturing sector – rarely more so than in the case of equipment for time-critical installations such as power supply and control systems where packaged systems must be completed, delivered and installed – timely delivery of even a latching mechanism may be vital. The Online team here at FDB Panel Fittings are delighted to announce our solution. This encompasses ex-stock urgent delivery of a wide range of Cam latches with barrel body and inserts, often resembling a nut or screwhead and so referred to as a “spanner” lock, a type of quarter turn mechanism for secure closure of cabinet and enclosure doors.

This Online offering also includes compression latches, while other versions incorporate a cylinder type lock for additional security which are held as large stocks so as to enable quick delivery. Since locks and latches are frequently the last item fitted to a cabinet on the production line or even at the installation stage – and can therefore hold up delivery of the whole project – Online selection can reduce this problem.

Various latch types can be swapped if necessary, including cam adaptors which enable the use of multi-point rod lock systems for enhanced sealing and security while tabs/cams are available in differing lengths and step/height configurations to match varying door/frame dimensions. The Online service includes our popular Rocfast assembly and logistics package which ensures delivery of assembled latches or locks in bulk or as kits – otherwise contact us direct to discuss your requirements.

Quarter turn locks Online from FDB Panel Fittings

Here at FDB Panel Fittings, we are delighted to announce the exemplary range of standard quarter-turn locks which use industry-standard cut-outs for ease of fitment to cabinets and enclosures across the industrial and office environment. These ex-stock products are offered with varying lengths of bodies and cams to suit differing door and frame depths so that designers and production engineers can get urgent delivery to match their needs, whatever the size of the housing, and to suit shallow or deep doors with appropriate frames.

Gary Miles (our MD here at Panel Fittings) comments that we have referred to extensive customer feedback over many years in order to establish the specifications of these quarter turn locks, which are offered in polyamide, zinc die and stainless steel, also with finishes such as black, chrome or polished stainless.

Gary explains that e.g., corrosion resistance, cost parameters or anti-vandal needs. Speed and ease of fitment are conferred with the use of standard industry cut-outs to ensure quick, easy and reliable fitment so as to save time in production or installation on site.

These quarter turn locks and latches are available for right or left-handed operation and come with all the convenience of a wide selection of tabs/cams and varying body lengths to enable simple matching to door/frame dimensions – pre-assembly under our Rocfast banner is an important and popular service feature.

New levelling feet

We were so impressed with these new levelling feet from our sales partner DIRAK that we thought they warranted a deeper look – so here we go –

  1. This design uses a larger than normal ball that increases the area of contact between the components of the Levelling Foot, and thus the force that can be absorbed by the product.
  2. The force is directed downward, not to the sides, thanks to a unique design of the base plate—preventing the plate from breaking due to horizonal load.
  3. The base plate of the DIRAK Levelling Foot can be designed smaller relative to the load. This space-saving method makes it possible to mount the Levelling Foot closer to the edge of products, which is especially advantageous for housings that stand next to each other.
  4. The PA plate provides a firm, stable base. Customers can choose between two sizes to better fit their applications.
  5. To prevent the Levelling Foot from slipping, the anti-slip insert (6) is included in the scope of delivery. It also absorbs vibrations and protects the floor against abrasion.

Contact us to discuss your needs

DC immune RCDs FDB11 and FDB2

Now is usually the time for regular Railway maintenance, moving through the months of summer/autumn to ensure equipment is ready to deal with the demands of winter. This year has been slightly different with intermittent strikes which have put special demands on scheduling of these maintenance and repair works. Our FDB Online store has been very helpful in fulfilling availability of the specialist units required throughout this highly variable scheduling period.

The need to update/upgrade electrical systems has put an especial demand on the FDB range of approved Network Rail DC immune protection devices. These include the FDB2 Multiway RCBO which offers 2,3 or 4-way multi-circuit protection in a single enclosure, and features modular construction housings with double pole 110/230V equipment, MCB ratings from 10A to 32A featuring rated trip currents of 20mA, 30mA or 100mA.

FDB11 units in ratings from 10amp to 100amp offer general purpose RCD protection as approved Network Rail DC immune enclosed units with 20 or 30, or 100mA devices. Units conform to relevant RCD and MCB standards.