Enclosures & Accessories | GDI Solutions

GDI Enclosures & Accessories

A quick, plain-English guide to choosing the right enclosure for your garage door opener’s environment — from clean, dry interiors to extreme washdown. Compare NEMA 1, 12, 4, and 4X at a glance, then pick accessories to finish the install.

At‑a‑Glance

Ingress RatingsNEMA 1 / 4 / 4X / 12
Use CasesDry → Washdown → Corrosive → High Particulate
MaterialsPowder‑Coated Steel / 304 / 316

Rule of thumb: if you ever use a hose or chemical cleaners, start at NEMA 4; choose 4X for corrosives or salt fog.

NEMA 1 — Steel

NEMA 1 steel enclosure

Best for clean, dry interiors. Basic protection from contact and light dust. Good for parkade garage doors.

HighlightsTypical Use
• Powder‑coated steel cabinet
• Hinged front access
• Compact, serviceable layout
• Offices, equipment rooms
• Retail back‑rooms
• Dry commercial bays

Includes a GDI‑Controller mounted inside the enclosure. Avoid washdown, spray, or conductive dust — step up to NEMA 12 or 4.

NEMA 4 — Extreme Wet Zones

NEMA 4 enclosure

Sealed for hose‑directed water and routine washdown. Good for car wash overhead doors.

HighlightsTypical Use
• Gasketed door & sealed penetrations
• Robust hardware for frequent cleaning
• Weather‑exposed mounting OK
• Loading docks & sanitation areas
• Car washes & ag rinse zones
• Outdoor perimeters

Includes a GDI‑Controller mounted inside the enclosure. For corrosive cleaners or salt‑fog, use NEMA 4X (Stainless).

NEMA 4X — Stainless (304/316)

NEMA 4X stainless enclosure

For corrosive or sanitary sites — coastal, chemical, food & beverage washdown, farm garage doors, and mining rolling steel doors.

HighlightsTypical Use
• Stainless steel (304 or 316)
• Superior corrosion resistance
• Smooth, cleanable surfaces
• Food & beverage processing
• Coastal docks / marine adjacent
• Chemical splash & spray areas

Includes a GDI‑Controller mounted inside the enclosure. 316 is commonly preferred around chlorides (e.g., salt spray).

NEMA 12 — Dust‑Tight

NEMA 12 enclosure

For dusty interiors with lint or light oil‑mist. Gasketed, non‑vented design. Good for mining environments & rolling steel doors.

HighlightsTypical Use
• Door gasket reduces dust ingress
• Non‑vented cabinet
• Separates controls from shop air
• Fabrication shops (saw/metal dust)
• Warehousing with airborne dust
• Light industrial w/ oil‑mist

Includes a GDI‑Controller mounted inside the enclosure. Not for hose‑down — move to NEMA 4 if regular spray is present.

Enclosure Comparison

ModelProtection FocusTypical UseMaterialNotes
NEMA 1 — SteelBasic indoor contact protectionClean, dry interiorsPowder‑coated steelNot for washdown or heavy dust
NEMA 4 — Extreme Wet ZonesHose‑directed water / sprayWashdown & outdoor eavesSealed housingGood for routine cleaning
NEMA 4X — Stainless (304/316)Wet + corrosive resistanceFood/chemical & coastalStainless 304/316Best where chemicals or salt are present
NEMA 12 — Dust‑TightDust / lint / light oil‑mistShops & warehousesGasketed steelNon‑vented; indoor only

Accessories

AccessoryDescriptionNotes
GDI Controller GDI‑Controller Smart controller with monitored inputs & presets
Learn More
Mount inside appropriate NEMA enclosure
Battery Backup Battery Backup (20A) Inline kit with serviceable batteries Runtime varies by size/duty — test periodically
Panel Buttons Panel Buttons (OCS) Open / Close / Stop station — NEMA 1 or 4 versions Use sealed version in wet zones
Axial Chain Hoist Chain Hoist (Axial) Manual assist, 10 ft loop for balanced doors Confirm door balance & routing
Right Angle Hoist Right‑Angle Hoist & Brake (NEMA 4) Wet‑area compatible; floor‑level brake release Pair with NEMA 4/4X enclosures

FAQ

QuestionAnswer
How do I pick between NEMA 4 and 4X?Both address spray and washdown. Choose 4X when corrosion resistance is important (salt, chemicals, or F&B). If it’s only water exposure and no corrosives, NEMA 4 is often sufficient.
Can I use vented enclosures in dusty areas?Generally no. For dust‑prone interiors, use non‑vented, gasketed designs like NEMA 12.
Cold storage considerations?Use sealed designs (NEMA 4/4X) and select glands/gaskets rated for low temperatures.
What about compliance?Verify selections with your AHJ and follow applicable standards (e.g., UL‑325 for door operators).