Sluitkast

Sluitkast is a Dutch term for a lockable cabinet or enclosure used to secure access to equipment, controls, or services. The word combines sluit (to lock) and kast (cabinet). In practice, the term covers a range of metal or composite boxes designed to protect hardware from tampering and weather.

Construction and features: Typical sluitkasten are rectangular enclosures with a hinged door that can be secured with a key, a cylinder lock, or an electronic lock. They are usually made from steel or aluminum, sometimes with a powder-coated finish. Many include gasket sealing, mounting flanges, conduit entries, and label plates identifying the contained equipment. Some are built to weatherproof or vandal-resistant standards for outdoor or industrial use.

Applications: In buildings, sluitkasten commonly enclose electrical distribution components, isolation switches, or mechanical valves, restricting access to authorized personnel. In industrial or infrastructure settings, they protect control panels, actuators, sensors, or access to remote-controlled equipment. Because they standardize the housing for locking hardware, sluitkasten facilitate routine maintenance while enhancing security and safety.

Etymology and usage: The term is Dutch and used in the Netherlands and Flanders, with variation in product naming by manufacturers. Related terms include lockbox, key cabinet, or locking enclosure.