What Is an Electrical Enclosure?
An electrical enclosure is a protective housing designed to safeguard electrical components — circuit breakers, relays, PLCs, terminals, and wiring — from environmental hazards like dust, moisture, chemical exposure, and physical impact. In industrial settings across Vietnam, well-fabricated enclosures are critical for operator safety, equipment longevity, and regulatory compliance.
Unlike off-the-shelf enclosures, custom-fabricated electrical cabinets are designed to fit your exact specifications: panel layout, cable entry points, ventilation requirements, and mounting configurations. This guide covers the full fabrication process from material selection to final delivery.
Materials for Electrical Enclosures
Choosing the right material is the single most important decision in enclosure fabrication. The two most common options are galvanized steel and stainless steel, each with distinct advantages.
Galvanized Steel (SGCC / SECC)
Galvanized steel is the standard choice for indoor electrical enclosures. SGCC (hot-dip galvanized) and SECC (electro-galvanized) offer good corrosion resistance at an affordable price point.
| Property | SGCC (Hot-Dip) | SECC (Electro) |
|---|---|---|
| Zinc coating thickness | 20-60 microns | 5-15 microns |
| Surface finish | Spangle pattern | Smooth, uniform |
| Corrosion resistance | Good | Moderate |
| Paintability | Good (needs primer) | Excellent |
| Cost | Lower | Slightly higher |
| Best for | General indoor panels | Panels requiring fine finish |
Typical thickness: 1.2mm for small enclosures, 1.5mm for standard panels, 2.0mm for large floor-standing cabinets.
Stainless Steel (SUS304 / SUS316)
Stainless steel is required for outdoor installations, food processing, pharmaceutical environments, or anywhere exposed to moisture and chemicals.
| Property | SUS304 | SUS316 |
|---|---|---|
| Corrosion resistance | Excellent | Superior (salt/acid) |
| Temperature range | -196 to 870°C | -196 to 870°C |
| Cost relative to SGCC | 3-4x | 5-6x |
| Typical thickness | 1.2-2.0mm | 1.5-2.0mm |
| Surface finish | 2B, No.4, HL | 2B, No.4, HL |
| Best for | Outdoor, wet areas | Marine, chemical plants |
For most industrial applications in Vietnam, SGCC 1.5mm with powder coating provides the best balance of cost and durability. Switch to SUS304 only when the environment demands it.
Other Materials
- Aluminum (5052) — Lightweight enclosures for electronics, telecom cabinets, or portable equipment. About 1/3 the weight of steel.
- Pre-painted steel (PPGI) — Factory-coated sheets that skip the powder coating step. Limited color options but faster production.
Understanding IP Ratings
IP (Ingress Protection) ratings define how well an enclosure protects against solid particles and liquids. The rating format is IP XY where X = solids protection (0-6) and Y = liquids protection (0-9).
Common IP Ratings for Electrical Enclosures
| IP Rating | Solids Protection | Liquids Protection | Typical Application |
|---|---|---|---|
| IP20 | Fingers (>12.5mm) | None | Indoor distribution boards |
| IP40 | Small objects (>1mm) | None | Indoor control panels |
| IP54 | Dust-protected | Splash-proof | Indoor industrial, workshops |
| IP55 | Dust-protected | Water jets | Semi-outdoor installations |
| IP65 | Dust-tight | Water jets | Outdoor panels, washdown areas |
| IP66 | Dust-tight | Powerful water jets | Outdoor, high-pressure cleaning |
| IP67 | Dust-tight | Temporary immersion | Underground, flood-prone areas |
Most common in Vietnam: IP54 for indoor factory panels, IP65 for outdoor installations. Food processing plants typically require IP65 or higher with SUS304 material.
How IP Rating Affects Fabrication
Higher IP ratings require:
- Continuous welded seams instead of spot welds (IP65+)
- Rubber gaskets on all doors and access panels
- Cable glands instead of open knockouts
- Rain hoods over ventilation openings
- Drip-proof hinges and latches
Each of these adds fabrication complexity and cost, so specify only the IP rating your application actually requires.
Standard Enclosure Sizes
While custom dimensions are our specialty, many projects follow standard enclosure sizes based on IEC 62208 and common Vietnamese industry practices.
Wall-Mounted Enclosures
| Size (H x W x D) | Use Case |
|---|---|
| 300 x 200 x 150mm | Small junction box, 4-8 MCBs |
| 400 x 300 x 200mm | Distribution board, 12-16 MCBs |
| 600 x 400 x 200mm | Motor control panel |
| 800 x 600 x 250mm | PLC cabinet, VFD panel |
| 1000 x 800 x 300mm | Large control panel |
Floor-Standing Enclosures
| Size (H x W x D) | Use Case |
|---|---|
| 1200 x 600 x 400mm | Single-door MCC section |
| 1600 x 600 x 400mm | Standard MCC panel |
| 1800 x 800 x 500mm | Large MCC / distribution board |
| 2000 x 800 x 600mm | Main switchboard |
| 2200 x 1000 x 600mm | Generator control panel |
Custom sizes are available for any dimension. Our CNC equipment handles enclosures from 150mm up to 2500mm in any dimension.
The Fabrication Process
Manufacturing a quality electrical enclosure involves 6 main steps, each requiring precision equipment and experienced operators.
Step 1: Design and Engineering
Every project starts with a technical drawing review. We need:
- Overall dimensions (external and internal clearances)
- Door configuration (single, double, or removable panels)
- Cutout positions for displays, switches, cable entries
- Mounting plate layout (DIN rail positions, component footprints)
- IP rating requirement
- Material and finish specification
We provide free DFM (Design for Manufacturability) feedback to optimize your design for production.
Step 2: Laser Cutting
Sheet metal blanks are cut on our TRUMPF fiber laser. This step produces:
- All flat panels (sides, top, bottom, doors, mounting plates)
- Cutouts for cable glands, displays, ventilation louvers
- Mounting holes and DIN rail slots
- Hinge reinforcement plates
Laser cutting achieves tolerances of +/- 0.1mm, ensuring precise fit during assembly. Learn more about our laser cutting service.
Step 3: CNC Bending
Flat panels are formed on CNC press brakes to create:
- Box shapes (U-bends, C-channels)
- Door flanges and return bends
- Cable tray bends
- Mounting brackets and reinforcement ribs
Our CNC press brakes handle material up to 4000mm length and 200 tonnes force, with angle accuracy of +/- 0.5 degrees.
Step 4: Welding and Assembly
Panels are assembled using:
- TIG welding for stainless steel enclosures (clean, strong joints)
- MIG welding for galvanized steel (faster, cost-effective)
- Spot welding for internal brackets and mounting plates
- Hardware insertion — PEM studs, standoffs, hinges, latches
For IP65+ enclosures, all external seams receive continuous TIG welds with subsequent grinding for a smooth finish.
Step 5: Surface Treatment
- Galvanized steel: Degrease, phosphate wash, powder coat (60-80 micron standard)
- Stainless steel: Passivation, optional brushed or polished finish
- Standard color: RAL 7035 (light gray) — the industry standard for electrical enclosures
- Alternative colors: RAL 7032, RAL 9003, or any RAL code on request
Step 6: Quality Inspection and Packing
- Dimensional check against drawing
- Door alignment and gasket seal verification
- Surface finish inspection (no scratches, uniform coating)
- Hardware function test (hinges, locks, earth studs)
- Foam-padded packing for transport
Pricing Factors
Electrical enclosure pricing depends on several variables. Here is a rough breakdown of cost contribution:
| Cost Factor | Contribution | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Material | 30-45% | Stainless costs 3-4x more than galvanized |
| Laser cutting | 10-15% | Driven by number of cutouts and complexity |
| Bending | 10-15% | Number of bends and bend complexity |
| Welding/assembly | 15-25% | Continuous welds for higher IP ratings cost more |
| Surface treatment | 10-15% | Powder coating is standard; special finishes add cost |
| Hardware | 5-15% | Hinges, locks, gaskets, cable glands |
Reference Price Ranges
| Enclosure Type | Material | Approximate Price (VND) |
|---|---|---|
| Small wall-mount (400x300) | SGCC 1.2mm | 800,000 - 1,500,000 |
| Medium wall-mount (800x600) | SGCC 1.5mm | 2,000,000 - 4,000,000 |
| Floor-standing (1800x800) | SGCC 2.0mm | 5,000,000 - 12,000,000 |
| Floor-standing (1800x800) | SUS304 1.5mm | 12,000,000 - 25,000,000 |
Prices are estimates and depend on cutout complexity, IP rating, and quantity. Volume orders receive significant discounts.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Over-specifying IP rating — IP65 costs 30-50% more than IP54. Use IP54 for indoor environments unless there is a specific moisture threat.
- Forgetting thermal management — Sealed enclosures with VFDs or large contactors need ventilation fans, louvers, or air conditioning units. Plan these in the design phase.
- Insufficient cable entry space — Always allow 30% more cable entry area than you think you need. Retrofitting cable glands is expensive.
- Wrong material thickness — 1.0mm steel flexes under the weight of mounted components. Use 1.5mm minimum for panels wider than 400mm.
- Ignoring DIN rail spacing — Standard DIN rail height pitch is 150mm. Allow at least 200mm between rails for wiring space.
Why Choose Laser Tuan Thinh for Enclosure Fabrication?
- Full in-house capability — Laser cutting, CNC bending, welding, powder coating under one roof
- TRUMPF precision equipment — Tolerances that ensure perfect panel fit
- No minimum order — From 1 piece prototypes to 500+ piece production runs
- Free DFM review — We optimize your design before cutting starts
- Fast turnaround — Standard enclosures from 7 working days
Browse our electrical enclosure products for examples and standard configurations.
Get a Quote for Your Enclosure Project
Whether you need a single prototype panel or a batch of 200 identical MCC cabinets, we can help. Send us your drawings or specifications and receive a detailed quote within 24 hours.
- Upload your DXF/DWG/STEP file via Zalo or email
- Or describe your requirements and we will help with the design
Contact us now to discuss your electrical enclosure project.