Things to consider when buying an electrical or automation cabinet

Our Sales Manager, Kimmo Piirto, is an experienced expert in cabinet manufacturing. Below, Piirto shares three tips to keep in mind when requesting a quote for an electrical or automation cabinet.

These tips will help ensure a smooth quoting process!

1. Contact early and share your timeline

It’s best to contact Escarmat as soon as you need cabinet manufacturing. We can assist even in the design phase, for example, by helping select the appropriate components.

When requesting a quote, be sure to mention by when the cabinet should be ready, and also when you expect to receive the quote.

– If the project timeline isn’t exactly known, that’s okay. The main thing is to provide us with an estimate so we can plan the delivery time accordingly, Piirto explains.

2. Specify the scope of delivery

It’s essential to clearly outline what the delivery includes in your quote request. Do you only need cabinet manufacturing according to pre-existing designs, or should design services be included in the offer? Will the customer be sourcing active devices or special components themselves?

– In the quote request, it’s good to include a list of components that the customer will be providing, as well as those the manufacturer is expected to procure. Special components often require customization or configuration already during the order phase.

A comprehensive description of the scope also helps the manufacturer with pricing and planning the delivery schedule.

3. Describe the details

It is recommended to include as much information as possible regarding the electrical and mechanical properties of the cabinet in your quote request.

– For electrical properties, it’s important to specify the nominal voltage, nominal current, and short-circuit currents. For mechanical properties, key factors include the size of the cabinet or the reserved installation space, the protection class, and the color. The type of cabinet is also crucial. Is it, for example, an enclosure, a cabinet, or a modular cabinet?

It’s also helpful to note the environmental requirements and the target country, as these can influence the cabinet’s features.

– At Escarmat, we also offer UL-certified and Atex-approved electrical and automation cabinets. We have expertise in manufacturing hundreds of different types of cabinets, so feel free to ask our sales team about your options.

Final thoughts

If all the specifications aren’t clear from the start, don’t worry – you can always rely on the expertise of Escarmat’s sales team.

– We’re happy to assist our customers. Escarmat is also flexible. You don’t have to lock in the design from the start, as we can still make changes during production if needed, Piirto advises.

After the quote request, the salesperson will usually contact the customer to ask clarifying questions. They will then check prices, availability, and schedules, and finally send the quote to the customer.

Checklist for making a quote request

Timeline:

– When should the cabinet be ready?

– By when do you want the quote?

Scope of Delivery:

– Is it cabinet manufacturing based on drawings, or is design needed?

– Does the delivery include active devices or special components? Which of these will the customer supply, and which should the cabinet manufacturer provide?

Details:

– Electrical properties

– Mechanical properties

– Cabinet type

– Environmental factors

– Target country

– Standards and special requirements.

Who to contact at Escarmat? Read the introductions of the sales people.