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Not every enclosure is designed for the same environment.

Some applications require minimal protection from elements such as dust and accidental contact, while others need to withstand harsher environments with constant moisture in the air, corrosive chemicals, or pressurized washdowns.

That’s where industrial products come in.

At EPI, our industrial products are engineered to withstand these harsh conditions, and although they didn’t join our product line until the 1980’s, they’ve become an important part of what we manufacture.

Engineered for Harsh Environments

EPI manufactures industrial enclosures and wireways built to NEMA 12, NEMA 4, and NEMA 4X standards. They can be Wall Mounted, Floor Mounted, or Free Standing, and built to a customizable shape and size.  

Out of the three standards we offer, NEMA 4X provides the highest level of protection. The “X” in NEMA 4X indicates enhanced corrosion resistance, making it the ideal enclosure for environments exposed to moisture, chemicals, salt spray, and pressurized washdowns.

Industries that commonly rely on NEMA 4X enclosures include food and beverage processing, wastewater treatment facilities, chemical plants, coastal applications, and automotive facilities.

When electrical equipment is exposed to these environments, choosing the proper enclosure isn’t optional—it’s essential.

Material that Matters

One of the biggest advantages of NEMA 4X is the material itself.

Our NEMA 4X products are manufactured from 304 stainless steel, which provides corrosion resistance, strength, and durability. Unlike painted carbon steel, stainless steel naturally forms a passive chromium oxide layer that continually protects the surface from corrosion. Even if the surface becomes scratched during installation or maintenance, this protective layer reforms when exposed to oxygen, helping prevent rust from taking hold.

Besides corrosion resistance, stainless steel also offers a smooth, non-porous surface that’s easy to clean and resistant to bacteria. This makes it an excellent choice for facilities where cleanliness is just as important as durability.

Material selection is only part of the equation.

Every industrial product we manufacture is designed for long-term reliability. A couple of the features that set apart our industrial products are the use of continuous stainless steel hinge and TIG seam welding.

TIG (Tungsten Inert Gas) welding is a type of fusion welding that melts together already existing material, as opposed to other styles of welding that add a new piece of material to bond the product.

This style of welding creates an airtight seal, which is an important element of NEMA 4X products.

Project Highlight

A recent project shows how these engineering and manufacturing elements come together.

CED Laredo contacted us to order four custom 72″ W × 72″ H × 18″ D NEMA 4X Double Door Freestanding Enclosures with a back panel for a tire shop.

While a tire shop may not seem like a particularly harsh environment, it’s exactly the type of place where a NEMA 4X enclosure is needed.

Daily exposure to oils, grease, cleaning chemicals, moisture, and routine pressure washing creates conditions that can quickly deteriorate standard enclosures. A stainless steel NEMA 4X enclosure helps protect electrical equipment by resisting corrosion and maintaining a tight seal.

Built for You

Your customers have projects in differing environments with various requirements all the time, we’re here to help provide the safest, longest lasting solution. For your next custom project, please contact us.