A complete guide to GRP enclosures
GRP enclosure is a wide-ranging term that can be used to refer to a variety of protective cabinetry and containers, all of which are collectively utilised across a vast array of domestic, commercial and industrial sectors. We stock plenty of GRP enclosures ourselves here at LED Controls, so below, we’ve provided a couple of key essentials on what they are and exactly they do.
What is a GRP Enclosure?
A GRP enclosure is typically an electrical cabinet that’s been specifically designed to protect writing and other electrical components from environmental damage, casual bumps and impacts, or even theft or vandalism. GRP itself is a technical term that stands for Glass Reinforced Plastic. It’s sometimes referred to as FRP (Fiberglass Reinforced Polyester), which is the Canadian or US equivalent. The fibreglass reinforcement of this plastic gives it the physical resilience of a metal enclosure, and it’s also notably less stiff and brittle than carbon fibre, giving it a decent resistance against sudden impacts. Glass Reinforced Plastic also has a number of further inherent properties and characteristics, all of which help GRP enclosures to provide the best protection over a standard metallic junction box or wall mounted enclosure. A fuller list of these properties includes:- Lightweight
- Strong and durable
- Shockproof (with impact strength on a par with that of metal enclosures)
- Watertight
- Corrosion resistant
- Low maintenance
- High resistance to temperature fluctuations
- UV resistant
Types of GRP enclosure
At the point of manufacture, Glass Reinforced Plastic can be easily moulded into a broad variety of designs. Some companies even offer bespoke GRP enclosures that can be manufactured according to an exacting set of specifications. Examples of the most common types of GRP enclosure include:- Gas meter boxes
- Cabinets
- Small enclosures
- Stands
- Generator enclosures
- Kiosks
- Gatehouses
- Storage units
- Welfare units