Adhesive Cable Supports

Type 4X Enclosures constructed for either indoor or outdoor use to provide a degree of protection to personnel against access to hazardous parts; to provide a degree of protection of the equipment inside the enclosure against ingress of solid foreign objects (windblown dust); to provide a degree of protection with respect to harmful effects on the equipment due to the ingress of water (rain, sleet, snow, splashing water, and hose directed water); that provides an additional level of protection against corrosion; and that will be undamaged by the external formation of ice on the enclosure.

Most of the adhesive backed cable supports the adhesive is on a foam pad. This foam pad should when bound down seal the opening made by the screw. So not sure how it could compromise the NEMA rating of 4X.

There is all ways tack weld studs.

Re: There is all ways tack weld studs.

Or, install a panel (or panels, or some similar structure) inside the enclosure, then attach the cable supports to that.

There is no, "seal" requirement for these enclosures. But, something in a self sealing screw would work, if you really want to incur the expense and make it look good.

All good stuff there, thanks you guys

They are being ridiculous, probably because they don't want to go to the trouble of dealing with the screws and they are stretching for an excuse. But NEMA 4/4X (now adopted by UL) allows for mounting of devices with small machine or sheet metal screws, up to #12 (i.e. under 1/4 in.) so long as, in the case of 4X, the screw material has the same or better corrosion resistance as the enclosure itself. Bolts (i.e. 1/4 in and up) can still be used but must have sealing washers.

Stud guns were made for such as task though, as was mentioned by others. I used SS studs shot on by electric stud guns quite a bit for that exact purpose. It makes a very small discoloration / warpage on the outside surface of the enclosure, but nothing that a little Scotch-brite can't clean up.

You are wise to insist on more permanent wire harness support adhesion, those double-stick mounts don't last worth a darn.

Or you could install a bar inside the cabinet between existing hardware/mounting points, and then tie your cables to the bar.

ie Effectively install a cable tray.

Aging is normal process and organic is aged depended degradation. After collapse of Soviet Union we completely ignored MIL standard and is hard to get 20 years of working life out of this adhesive system.

On the other hand green ceramic washer I have used for alloy 42 worked good for life certification for 20 years. But this needs the time and temperature and for alloy 42 one need to go to 400oC and was okay with respect to corrosion

For NEMA 1 you have no issues you can drill and tap as needed, for NEMA 4X the issue is the sealing of entry ways, which you could do by putting silicone or rubber gaskets under the washers that are below the screws.

You have to be careful though since the way gaskets are installed can make them sensitive to degradation and may need periodic checks and change out.

But your easieast solution maybe to periodically change or add glue to the adhseive backed supports.