Is it safe to have a plc and power supply inside wood box

Is this something safe to do I can use metal in this area I was thinking of makeing a wood cab.

Wood would be better then nothing (leaving it exposed), but metal is better.

Although, I don't think this applies to 99.9% of installations that are in industrial locations which are required by law to use locking metal enclosures for any power equipment.

If this was a home project and you had to or wanted to use wood, I would line it with fire rated sheetrock on the inside.

Actually, I just wouldn't use wood, but I'm not you.

It is best to keep combustibles away from where a fire could start if the equiptment fails. Perhaps you could put the devices in a fiberglass or metal enclosure first then enclose everything inside the wooden cabinet. Be sure to ventilate or size it properly for heat dissipation.

TheStarr said:

Wood would be better then nothing (leaving it exposed), but metal is better.

Although, I don't think this applies to 99.9% of installations that are in industrial locations which are required by law to use locking metal enclosures for any power equipment.

If this was a home project and you had to or wanted to use wood, I would line it with fire rated sheetrock on the inside.

Actually, I just wouldn't use wood, but I'm not you.

Click to expand...

Wood has wonderful uses:

Sweet! Love the springer up front. Just watch out for the potholes, those splinters would hurt!

Now THAT is a ride!

If price is not an issue what about a plastic or uhmw box?

Safe than wood for sure.

I would like to see the citation that says power supplies must be lockable. Hot front switchgear oh yes.

It was stated
"It is best to keep combustibles away from where a fire could start if the equiptment fails. Perhaps you could put the devices in a fiberglass or metal enclosure first then enclose everything inside the wooden cabinet."

Well we have had several boat fires at marina - fiberglass burns quite well.

If you have a failure that is sufficient to catch a wood enclosure on fire it for sure indicates you did not design correctly - forgot fuses etc?

I think the main consideration is what is the power level of stuff in box. 1 w who cares 1kW hmm 10 kW maybe not 100 Kw I dont think I would do it.

Another consideration wood is a good insulater so that is good for electrical safety but would be bad from the standpoint of cooling components inside.

Dan Bentler

joeparrish said:

If price is not an issue what about a plastic or uhmw box?

Safe than wood for sure.

Click to expand...

That would work

anyone know where to buy a plastic box from

Dan,
Yes, I know fiberglass enclosures will burn as will PVC plastic conduit and enclosures. Even steel will burn if hot enough. No, I'm not trying to start an argument. The type of fiberglass enclosure I was referring to can be found in this link:
http://www.solutionsdirectonline.com/fiberglass-enclosures-technical-specifications.html

Hoffman has a line of Non-Metallic enclosures.

spidermonkey - I just got to ask - why do you not want to use a metal box?

Steve