| Hazardous-area suitability | The enclosure marking should match the intended gas, dust, zone, temperature class, and equipment protection level. | Complete nameplate, product certificate, technical datasheet, and installation instructions. | 20% | Do not accept a general “explosion proof” claim without a specific protection marking and certificate scope. |
| Certification validity | Certification should be issued by an appropriately recognized conformity-assessment body and remain traceable to the exact product design. | Certificate number, issuing body, applicable standards, model range, drawings, and certificate status. | 15% | Verify that the certificate covers the supplied enclosure, cable entries, windows, terminals, and accessories where applicable. |
| Applicable standards | Common international references include IEC 60079-0 for general requirements and relevant IEC 60079 protection-type standards. | Latest test reports, standard editions, conformity documents, and quality-system records. | 10% | The standard and edition should be appropriate for the enclosure’s protection concept and target market. |
| Enclosure material | Typical options include stainless steel, aluminum alloy, coated steel, and reinforced engineering polymer; selection depends on corrosion, impact, temperature, and weight requirements. | Material grade, thickness, coating system, flame-retardant rating where applicable, and material certificates. | 10% | Material claims should be supported by traceable documentation rather than appearance alone. |
| Ingress protection | The required IP rating should correspond to the installation environment; IP ratings are defined by IEC 60529. | IP test report, gasket specification, door or cover design, cable-entry details, and production inspection records. | 10% | Check whether the tested configuration matches the actual supplied configuration, including cable glands and plugs. |
| Mechanical strength | The box should withstand the mechanical, impact, vibration, and mounting conditions specified for its certified design. | Impact-test information, wall-thickness drawings, hinge and fastener specifications, and dimensional inspection records. | 10% | Inspect corners, hinges, threads, mounting feet, cover alignment, and fastener retention. |
| Temperature performance | The ambient temperature range and temperature class must be compatible with the site conditions and internal heat generation. | Temperature-class marking, ambient-temperature limits, thermal calculations, and component derating data. | 8% | Evaluate both external ambient temperature and heat produced by installed electrical components. |
| Corrosion resistance | Material and surface treatment should suit humidity, salt spray, chemicals, and outdoor exposure at the installation site. | Corrosion-test results, coating thickness records, surface-treatment process, and recommended service environment. | 7% | Stainless steel, coated metal, and polymeric materials provide different corrosion and maintenance characteristics. |
| Manufacturing quality control | A controlled process should include incoming-material inspection, dimensional checks, assembly inspection, sealing checks, and final traceability. | Quality manual, inspection plan, calibration records, nonconformance process, batch records, and final inspection checklist. | 5% | Consistent documentation and batch traceability are stronger indicators than product photographs. |
| Customization and engineering support | Any modification affecting flame paths, wall thickness, entries, windows, terminals, or thermal behavior must be technically reviewed. | Approved drawings, revision control, modification review, wiring layout, and confirmation of certification impact. | 3% | Avoid unauthorized drilling, machining, or component substitution after certification. |
| Total recommended evaluation weight | Use a documented supplier scorecard before commercial approval. | All critical certification and safety evidence should be verified independently where possible. | 100% | Prioritize compliance and application suitability over price alone. |