Rittal Enclosure vs Local Fabricated Enclosures Compared
In a Rittal enclosure vs local comparison, Rittal wins on modular sizes, tested accessories and repeat orders, while a local fabricated enclosure wins on odd dimensions, stainless steel and one-off outdoor boxes. Both can reach IP66 when specified correctly. Choose by size, material, quantity and the accessories you need.
What you receive: send your panel layout and site conditions, and your quotation within one working day names the enclosure option, IP rating, finish and lead time. Request a quotation
By Eng. Babu Parkash, Panel Engineering, Saudi Control Panels Company. Published October 2026.
What is Rittal, and who owns it?
Rittal is a German maker of enclosures, climate control, power distribution and IT infrastructure, headquartered in Herborn. It belongs to the family-owned Friedhelm Loh Group. It is not an American company, and it is a manufacturer in its own right, not a distributor of other brands' boxes.
Rittal enclosures come in series. TS 8 is the established modular floor-standing system. VX25 is the later modular system with a finer grid, and AX is a compact range for wall-mounted and small floor-standing boxes. Spare plates, busbar systems, cooling units and mounting accessories belong to the same system, which is the main reason panel builders choose it.
We build panels with Rittal enclosures, as one of two enclosure routes. The other is a locally fabricated enclosure made to your dimensions.
Rittal enclosure vs local: how do the two options compare?
| Point | Rittal system enclosure | Local fabricated enclosure |
|---|---|---|
| Sizes | Fixed grid of heights, widths and depths | Any size to drawing |
| Material | Painted sheet steel, stainless in some ranges | Painted steel, SS304, SS316, aluminium |
| IP rating | Documented by range, up to IP66 | Depends on design and gaskets, up to IP66 |
| Accessories | Wide tested catalogue | Made to order |
| Repeat orders | Excellent: identical parts every time | Good with a controlled drawing |
| One-off or odd sizes | Limited by the grid | Strong |
| Lead time | Short when the series is in stock | Short for simple boxes, longer for welded stainless |
| Documentation | Manufacturer data sheets and drawings | Workshop drawings and certificates |
Neither route is simply better. The right one depends on four points: whether the size fits a standard grid, whether the material must be stainless, how many units you need and how many accessories the panel uses.
Worked example: a batch and a one-off
Worked example: the sizes here are made up to show how the choice is made. A plant needs two sets of panels.
Set 1: six identical floor-standing control cabinets.
- The layout fits 2,000 mm high, 800 mm wide and 600 mm deep, all standard sizes.
- The panels need mounting plates, door-mounted devices and a cooling unit.
- All six will be identical, and a repeat order is likely.
A Rittal system enclosure suits this: the sizes are on the grid, the accessories are catalogue items, and each of the six is a copy of the first. Assembly time falls because plates and rails are standard.
Set 2: one outdoor SS316 panel at a coastal pump station.
- The equipment needs 1,350 mm of width, between standard widths of 1,200 mm and 1,600 mm.
- The site is next to the sea, so chloride attack is a risk.
- Only one unit is needed.
A local fabricated SS316 enclosure suits this: it is made to 1,350 mm, in the right alloy, with a sun shield and gland plate where the cable entries fall. A system enclosure would force a larger box, with wasted space and cost, or a non-stainless finish.
The decision rule from the example: grid size and quantity favour the system enclosure, odd size and special material favour the fabricated one.
Which option suits which Saudi site conditions?
Heat, dust, humidity and salt shape the choice more than brand does.
- Indoor switch rooms. Either option works. A system enclosure speeds assembly and is the default for floor-standing boards.
- Dusty industrial halls. IP54 to IP55 painted enclosures from either route.
- Outdoor and washdown. IP65 or IP66, with a sun shield and cooling; consider stainless steel.
- Coastal and chemical sites. SS316 in fabricated form is often the practical answer.
Our stainless steel and outdoor panels use SS304 or SS316 at IP55 to IP66 with a typical lead time of three to five weeks, and the stainless steel and outdoor panels page covers the detail. For enclosure ranges and accessories, see Rittal enclosure panel building.
Does the enclosure affect IEC 61439 compliance?
Yes. For a switchboard, the enclosure is part of the verified assembly. Temperature rise, short-circuit withstand and degree of protection depend on the enclosure, its ventilation and the busbar supports. Changing the enclosure after design verification means checking the verification again. Where a switchboard uses a verified system, the builder follows that system's rules. For custom boards, the design is verified by the route the standard allows.
For switchboards, LV switchboards and MDB describes ratings and forms. For non-standard boxes and layouts, custom control panels covers the design process from the single-line diagram to the delivered panel. Enclosures in our range run from IP31 to IP66, using Rittal TS8, AX and VX25 and local enclosures.
Questions about Rittal and local enclosures
Is Rittal a manufacturer?
Yes. Rittal manufactures enclosures, climate control equipment, power distribution systems and IT infrastructure. It is a German company, part of the Friedhelm Loh Group, with its headquarters in Herborn, and it sells through distributors and panel builders worldwide.
Where is Rittal from?
Rittal is from Germany. It is headquartered in Herborn, in the state of Hesse, and is owned by the family-owned Friedhelm Loh Group. It has production sites in several countries and supplies enclosures to panel builders around the world.
Is a Rittal enclosure better than a local one?
Not in every case. Rittal gives modular sizes, tested accessories and consistency for repeat orders. A local enclosure gives freedom of size and material, which suits stainless steel and one-off panels. The better option is the one that fits your size, finish and quantity.
Can a local enclosure reach IP66?
Yes, with a welded or well-gasketed design and tested sealing, a fabricated enclosure can reach IP66. Ask for the rating in writing and for the checks that support it, because the rating depends on the build as well as the material.
How long does each type take?
Stainless steel and outdoor panels typically take three to five weeks. Standard system enclosures can be faster when the series is in stock. Your quotation, issued within one working day, states the date for your size and finish.
Choosing between a Rittal enclosure vs local fabricated enclosure? Send your panel layout, site conditions and quantity, and we will recommend the option, rating and lead time within one working day.