Metal Enclosures
Metal enclosures are used to protect electronics from dust and heat damage. They house the electronics found in numerous devices like computers, cash registers, remote controls, and calculators, to name a few. They are generally rectangular-shaped but can also be T-shaped for use with particular items like handheld devices. Metal enclosures can be made from a variety of metal materials, although aluminum, steel, and stainless steel are most common.
Metal enclosures are common in speakers and subwoofers, where the back panel and sides of the speaker are covered by an enclosure. These enclosures not only protect the electronics inside the speaker, but also improve the acoustics.
Some metal enclosures have control knobs and switches mounted to their exteriors to help control the equipment. These features protect the users from being electrocuted by the equipment housed inside the enclosure. To ensure quality and safety, NEMA, the National Electronic Manufacturers Association, rates some enclosures based on their application and effectiveness.