Transparent Cover Plastic Panels Selection Guide
A plastic panel with a transparent cover allows viewing only, and the device cannot be touched while the cover is closed; selection depends on reading values, control needs and depth.
This guide covers what to look at when choosing products in the Transparent Cover Plastic Panels category.
When a transparent cover is the right choice
A clear cover allows viewing only; the device cannot be touched while the cover is closed. The decision is therefore made according to how the panel will be operated in daily use.
- If values will be read or status monitored: Reading is done without opening or drilling the cover; the housing's protection rating is not affected either.
- If control will be by push button or switch: These elements are mounted on the cover, or the cover is opened every time. Every hole made in the cover limits the protection to the rating of the element fitted.
- If monitoring is not needed: Opaque-cover versions of the same sizes are in the opaque cover plastic panels category.
- If only circuit breakers will be installed: Transparent cover MCB panels, which come with a rail and a cover plate, are more suitable.
Choosing size and depth
Adal Pano and Bemis models are listed in the same housing dimensions (such as 200x300x130, 300x400x170, 400x600x200 and 600x800x260 mm); Akiş Plastik dimensions are close to these. Çetinkaya Pano writes in centimeters and uses its own series of dimensions (such as 30x40x16.5). Two brands with the same dimensions may not have the same base and mounting hole dimensions; when replacing an existing panel, look at the manufacturer's drawing.
In some sizes there are two depths for the same width and height: the 400x500 mm housing is listed in 180 and 240 mm depths. Çetinkaya Pano shows this difference with a code suffix: ÇP 5014 is 40x50x17.5, while ÇP 5014 D is 40x50x24. Depth is chosen according to the deepest device on the mounting plate and the wiring allowance; a housing deeper than necessary moves the display away from the cover and makes reading from the side harder.
Differences by brand and series
- Adal Pano: ABS panels with MD codes have a sheet-steel base; the version of the same size with a plastic base takes -P at the end of the code (such as MD9024-P).
- Çetinkaya Pano: listed with codes such as ÇP 5012 D, ÇP 5016, ÇP 5020; in the manufacturer's catalog it has a galvanized sheet base.
- Bemis: IP65 ABS panels with BPC codes; the size is written in millimeters in the product name.
- Akiş Plastik: panels with transparent covers in sizes such as 400x500x240, 400x600x200 and 500x700x250 mm.
- TP Elektrik: IP65 ABS panels, and hinged IP66 and IP67 models whose material is written as ABS+polycarbonate.
Order notes
The sales unit is the piece. Some of the models are listed as made to order; for these models the lead time is confirmed before ordering. Cable glands for cable entry are in a separate category. You can reach a product directly by typing the model code (such as MD9027, ÇP 5016, BPC-3001-0036) into the search.
Comparison and selection table
| Selection Criterion | Modular Consumer Unit with Clear Window | Mounting-Plate Enclosure with Transparent Door | Double-Door Outdoor Observation Enclosure |
|---|---|---|---|
| Internal Layout | Integrated DIN rails (4 to 36+ modules for MCBs/RCDs) | Galvanized steel or perforated plastic backplate | Hinged inner dead-front plate + outer lockable clear door |
| Door Construction | Smoked or clear flip-up inspection window | Full-size hinged transparent polycarbonate door | UV-stabilized polycarbonate window with key/triangular lock |
| Ingress Protection | IP40 (indoor) or IP65 (weatherproof gasketed) | IP65 poured polyurethane gasket, Class II insulated | IP65 / IP66, IK08–IK10 impact resistance |
| Typical Application | Residential, workshop & site breaker distribution | Reading energy meters, analyzers, timers & PLC LEDs safely | Solar PV combiners, pumping stations & public utility panels |
Frequently asked questions
What material is the transparent cover made of?
The common material for clear covers is polycarbonate; it is transparent and has high impact resistance. In this category, the names of the TP Elektrik hinged models state ABS+polycarbonate. The product names of the other brands do not state the cover material; in the Adal Pano and Bemis names only the housing material (ABS) appears. Polycarbonate is not compatible with acetone and ammonia; in an environment where chemical cleaning is done, verify the cover material and its resistance from the manufacturer's data.
If there are two different depths for the same width and height, which should be chosen?
First take the dimension of the deepest device to be mounted on the mounting plate, and add the wiring and connection allowance in front of the device. If this total fits in the shallow housing, the shallow one is chosen; with a transparent cover, having the display close to the cover makes reading easier. For deep devices such as drives, or devices that need an air gap around them, a deep housing is required. For example, the 300x400 mm housing is listed in 170 and 220 mm depths.
Can a panel with a transparent cover be used in a place that gets direct sunlight?
The protection rating says nothing about sunlight; with a clear cover, two separate matters are looked at. The first is heat: a clear cover lets solar radiation in, and the internal temperature may exceed the permitted ambient temperature of the devices. The second is the material: standard polycarbonate is not suitable for long-term ultraviolet radiation, and ABS is also damaged by sunlight. In a sunny location, a sunshade or an opaque cover is considered; the UV declaration is verified from the manufacturer's data.
What protection ratings are found in plastic panels with transparent covers?
The Bemis BPC series is recorded as IP65 and IK10. At TP Elektrik, flat ABS panels with transparent covers are listed as IP65, and hinged models with transparent covers as IP66 or IP67. The product names of Adal Pano, Çetinkaya Pano and Akiş Plastik do not state a protection rating; for these models, verify the value from the manufacturer's data. The declared rating applies to a housing with the cover closed and without holes drilled in it.