Sheet metal and Electrics

[KennyLives]

We always make an electrical box out of sheet metal. Works great.

[DonRotolo]

Metal is legal, even if not always optimal as others have noted. Most components are electrically isolated when properly mounted (the cRio being a notable exception)

If running wires through drilled holes, be sure to have some way to prevent the wires from damage from the sharp edges.

[wireties]

Originally Posted by KennyLives

We always make an electrical box out of sheet metal. Works great.

But more dangerous to add/change wiring while still hot! ;o)

[MrForbes]

We've been using wood for our electronics enclosure for the past several years...it just seems to be the natural material. It's easy to screw the components to it, you don't have to worry about shorts, the extra weight isn't a problem since we put it down low, it's easy to work with plywood, etc. I guess there are good reasons to use something else, but I can't think of them....

Then again, we made our chassis out of steel again this year, so I may be totally out to lunch.

[Tom Line]

I strongly recommend against mounting electronics to sheet metal.

With all the things that can go wrong on a FIRST robot, why wouldn't you take all the easy precautions you can?

Mount on lexan, corrugated polycarb, foamed pvc, plywood, composite (not carbon fiber, as it conducts). Use nylon bolts with nylon thumb nuts. Run wiring in convolute, anti abrasion sleeve, or plastic channel where possible. Avoid running wires inside inaccessible places like towers, arms, etc.