Phoenix Contact ECS Enclosure Kit - Review

Table of contents

RoadTest: Phoenix Contact ECS Enclosure Kit

Author: rsc

Creation date: 19 Jul 2021

Evaluation Type: Electromechanical

Did you receive all parts the manufacturer stated would be included in the package?: True

What other parts do you consider comparable to this product?: Bud Industries Model # CU-389, SERPAC RB55P06C10G, Hammond 1555NF17GY

What were the biggest problems encountered?: Snap-in locking rather tight. I damaged the locking tab trying to remove the front cover.

Detailed Review:

https://www.farnell.com/datasheets/2911299.pdf

https://www.mouser.com/new/phoenix-contact/phoenix-contact-ECS-field-housings/

Unboxing:

The enclosure arrived enclosed in a bag inside a box.

The contents of the bag included the enclosure and endcap, a PCB with a 5-pin right angle connector,

a small flat end screwdriver, and a data sheet labeled "ECS field housings for harsh conditions."

The screwdriver has it's own datasheet: ECS-SD-1004302

https://www.phoenixcontact.com/online/portal/us?uri=pxc-oc-itemdetail:pid=1004302&library=usen&tab=1

The screwdriver and 5-pin connector were locked inside the enclosure, so I needed another screwdriver to get them out.

Only one side was locked, however it took me some time to get the cover off and slightly damaged the lock due to the force required to push in the tab.

The enclosure came with a PCB.  The PCB has notches cut out that match a small locking tab on the inside to keep the PCB from falling out.

The enclosed PCB was etched for a Phoenix Contact M12 5-pin circular connector SACC-CI-M12FS-5CON-L90-SC0-SE1

The connector is $22.00 at Digi-Key.  Mating connectors are shown below.

The PCB and enclosure end cap were configured for the given 5-pin connector, however, I didn't have the mating connector,

So I modified the end cap for a Bulgin PX0412/04P 4-pin connector.

There are internal slots for the circuit board edges and the locking tab.

5-pin circular connector.

Locking mechanism for PCB retention.

The underside of the enclosure contains a pressure relief valve.

There are pole mounting brackets available ECS-PM-2230013 for $28.00

https://www.phoenixcontact.com/online/portal/us?uri=pxc-oc-itemdetail:pid=2230013&library=usen&tab=1

I wanted to use my own PCB and connectors, however, the standard protoboard was not as wide as the given PCB,

so the locking tabs were not usable as is.

I just notched out a section for the connector nut, and drilled two mounting holes.

Inside the enclosure will be an arduino of some sort, and a stepper motor controller.

This module is the control system for a SATNOG satellite antenna rotator.

The controller and rotator will be mounted on a large tripod.

I've been working on a few other projects so this one has been waiting for a couple of weeks.

I've chosen to change the controller to an arduino Uno wifi rev 2 so I can control the system using wifi or bluetooth.

I'm using two Bulgin PX0410 connectors, a 2-pin for power, and a 4-pin for the stepper motor wires.

The system is not outside yet, so this road test is not complete, but I wanted to document my progress so far.

I still need to make a bracket for the enclosure to mount on the tripod.

I'm planning to get the system operational in the next few weeks.  Thanks for your patience.