The Universal enclosure range consists of three main variants; from the ENC-M, medium sized, to the ENC-L large enclosure, and then the 1224-L which is the unit reviewed here. This is the large enclosure that includes a switchable 12 / 24-volt power supply. The medium enclosure has dimensions of 337(h) x 382(w) x 90(d) mm and the large is 507(h) x 407(w) x 90(d) mm.
They are all white powder-coated steel enclosures with a universal backing plate for component mounting and cabling.
Getting started
The power module is pre-fitted in the top right of the enclosure, with an earth cable linking it to the cabinet’s ground point. All terminals are of good size accepting a regular 3mm terminal driver or crosshead screwdriver. The power module has dimension of 128(h) x 158(w) x 57(d) mm. Three 8mm lugs are used to secure the unit so give an overall height of 144mm.
The connections are all arranged along the bottom of the module’s PCB. Mains power input is at the left of the board with three well-spaced terminals for Live, Earth, and Neutral. A 3.15mA anti-surge fuse is above in a safety protective fuse-holder. Three three-way connectors in the middle cater for a Mains Fail relay with Common, N/O and N/C contacts. Then, the user relay (Uncommitted) has coil connections of 0v, then 12v or 24v for activation. Next, the user relay contacts are available as Common, N/O and N/C. Finally, at the right of the board are pairs of +volts and -volts output and battery terminals. Above these output terminals are two low-voltage fuses, one for the 24V output rated at 4A and the other for the 12volt supply rated at 8A. A switch to their right defines the single output as either 12 or 24 volts.
The large enclosure can accommodate two 17Ah or up to four 7Ah batteries depending on equipment content.
As long as the mains input connections are suitably dressed, there should be no access to mains rated contacts. The only one identified, was a small contact pad for one of the suppression components, however this could not normally be accessed by a finger due to its location.
Battery leads are provided along with an interlink for dual battery 24v operation.
A QR code links to the relevant page of the Elmdene website to give access to the manuals and information sheets relating to the range. A couple of videos show the process of using the supplied standoffs and typical PCB placement.
Read the full review in the September 2024 edition of PSi magazine