Weatherproof switch enclosures are essential for heating, lighting, and other electrical sources. Many people are installing weatherproof switch enclosures to provide energy to their outdoor lighting fixtures and other outdoor gadgets and appliances. Choosing the suitable material for outdoor junction boxes is crucial in electrical design. These specialized weatherproof sockets come with features that enable them to withstand harsh outdoor elements.
Weatherproof switch enclosures are receptive electrical connectors that are used for electrical current. They are specially modified from regular sockets to suit outdoor electrical needs. Waterproof sockets significantly reduce the risk of physical injury and equipment damage through short circuits, wiring splices, and terminal blocks. They are well-designed with high-grade plastics that are increasingly popular to offer the correct performance specs.
Safety of weatherproof switch enclosures
Safety is an essential factor when deciding to install weatherproof switch enclosures. Most of the time, these switches are exposed to outdoor environmental factors, and it is vital to ensure they are safe enough not to affect the power supply. Damage to an outlet can ruin electrical appliances, although using high-quality weatherproof switches diminishes this concern.
Weatherproof switch enclosures are designed to keep the rainwater out of an electrical outlet. If they are correctly installed, these switches are incredibly safe. They come in various materials, from wood and rubber to plastic, and each offers a different safety mechanism that provides safety to electrical outlets. Some of these switches come with a residual current device (RCD) mechanism that automatically cuts off the power supply should a fault be detected.
Water and dust can negatively affect the safety and functionality of a switch, but these switches come with a covering that seals around the outlet. This seal makes the switch dustproof and waterproof, thus making it a safe choice for external electrical sources. Weatherproof switch enclosures should be reserved for outdoor use, no matter how tempting it is to use them in the bathroom. If you use them indoors, they should be three meters from a bath or shower.
Reasons to use weatherproof switch enclosures
Knowing their functionality and safety features, you may be planning to upgrade your switch enclosures to weatherproof ones. Here are some more reasons to do so:
- Minimize the use of extension cables
Waterproof switch enclosures reduce the need to use extension cables from an indoor socket to your outdoor living space. Cables running haphazardly over the grass or walking are a potential tripping hazard. They can cause someone to trip and fall, sustaining serious injuries if they don’t notice them. The use of many cables also can lead to overloading and overheating of an electrical source leading to the risk of electrical shocks or fires.
- Better hang lights in the garden
Outdoor switch enclosures make hanging festive lighting easy during the holiday season. You can easily connect the lights and switch them on or off at your convenience. The switch enclosers reduce the need to load your indoor electrical sockets with the need to power multiple stands, thus freeing your indoor electrical units to be used by other appliances.
- Convenient gardening work
Tools and equipment such as hedge trimmers and lawnmowers are required to maintain a garden. If you have outdoor switch enclosures, it will be easy to plug them in and use the equipment to reach every corner of your garden. You will not need to run wires from an indoor electrical outlet.
- A hospitable outdoor living space
Outdoor electrical switches significantly benefit homeowners who enjoy their outdoor living spaces when installed correctly. Weatherproof switch enclosers allow you to work outside on your mobile phone or laptop. They also enable you to use patio lighting, mini-fridges, power speakers, and an open grill. Having outdoor sockets eliminates the need to run extension cables which can lead to a hazardous situation.
- Resistance to denting
Many applications of waterproof switch enclosures, including outdoor ones, are made of heavy-duty plastic like polycarbonate, offering comparable or even superior performance to their metal counterparts. Polycarbonate provides high resistance to denting and other forms of deformation that can affect metallic enclosures, such as corrosion from common industrial chemicals. They offer a cost-effective option for aluminium and steel switch enclosures.
Conclusion
When installing weatherproof switch enclosures for your home, it is essential to do your research. They are a great option that offers cost-effective performance with many choices in many applications. If you have any questions about weatherproof switch enclosures, don’t hesitate to ask us. We are renowned experts in the field and will offer your professional advice.
