Louvers

Louvers

Louvers provide ventilation openings in your enclosure, while maintaining a degree of protection against accidental entry of dirt, dripping water or foreign objects.

Louvers are formed using press brake machinery and a special top and bottom die. After the metal has been cut with a pre-slit, the piece is formed using the press brake, with the die pushing into the pre-slit area. The end result is a raised window with protection on three sides and an opening on the fourth side.

Louvers can satisfy NEMA rating requirements up to 3R and IP ratings of IP53.

Protocase maintains tooling for creating nominal 2", 4" and 6" louvers. We can build enclosures and sheet metal components with louvers in 2-3 days, with no extra lead time or tooling charges.

Proto Tech Tip

Watch More Tech Tip Videos

Materials

Louvers are available on the following stocked materials at Protocase:

Aluminum
Stainless Steel
Cold Rolled Steel
Galvanneal

Material must not exceed 0.1285" (3.264mm) in thickness.

Louver Sizes

2" (50.8mm)
4" (101.6mm)
6" (152.4mm)

All louvers will have a standard height that will depend on the material thickness used. It will be approximately equal to 0.190" + Material Thickness.

For example, a 2" louver in 16 Gauge 0.063" Stainless Steel will be 0.253" high.

Minimum Separations

Louver Size	Space from Louver to Edge or Bend	Horizontal Center to Center Spacing	Vertical Center to Center Spacing
2" (50.8mm)	0.625" (15.88mm)	2.6" (66.04mm)	1.25" (31.75mm)
4" (101.6mm)	0.625" (15.88mm)	4.6" (116.98mm)	1.25" (31.75mm)
6" (152.4mm)	0.625" (15.88mm)	6.6" (167.84mm)	1.25" (31.75mm)

Keep Out Zones for Self-Clinching Fasteners

Louver Size	Fastener Height	Horizontal	Vertical Front of Louver	Vertical Back of Louver
2" (50.8mm)	<0.400" (10.16mm)	0.850" (21.59mm)	0.700" (17.78mm)	0.800" (20.32mm)
2" (50.8mm)	>0.400" (10.16mm)	2.315" (58.801mm)	0.700" (17.78mm)	1.250" (31.75mm)
4" (101.6mm)	<0.400" (10.16mm)	0.850" (21.59mm)	0.700" (17.78mm)	0.800" (20.32mm)
4" (101.6mm)	>0.400" (10.16mm)	2.315" (58.801mm)	0.700" (17.78mm)	1.250" (31.75mm)
6" (152.4mm)	<0.400" (10.16mm)	0.850" (21.59mm)	0.700" (17.78mm)	0.800" (20.32mm)
6" (152.4mm)	>0.400" (10.16mm)	1.315" (33.401mm)	0.700" (17.78mm)	1.250" (31.75mm)

Ultimately, the minimum distance from louver is dependent on the fasteners being used and the specific louver tooling. Our Engineering & Design Services team can verify your design at the quoting stage, and offer suggestions as needed.