GR-487 Standard and Testing

Jan 16 , 2025

GR-487, formally known as GR-487-CORE, is a technical standard developed by Telcordia (formerly Bellcore) that specifies the design, construction, and performance criteria for outdoor enclosures used in telecommunications. These enclosures house equipment such as switches, routers, and power systems, protecting them from environmental and physical threats. GR-487 ensures reliability, durability, and safety in challenging outdoor conditions.

Key Objectives of GR-487

Environmental Protection:
- Safeguards equipment from rain, snow, ice, dust, and UV radiation.
- Requires corrosion-resistant materials and coatings.
- Addresses thermal performance, ensuring proper operation in extreme temperatures.
Structural Integrity:
- Mandates resistance to physical impacts, vibration, and seismic activity.
- Includes wind load resistance (e.g., during storms or hurricanes).
Security:
- Requires tamper-proof locking mechanisms and intrusion resistance to prevent unauthorized access.
Thermal Management:
- Ensures proper cooling and airflow to prevent overheating.
- May include requirements for fans, heat exchangers, or passive cooling systems.
Electrical Safety:
- Establishes guidelines for grounding, electrical isolation, and surge protection.
- Requires proper cable management and protection against short circuits.

Key Requirements of GR-487

Materials and Construction:
- Corrosion-resistant metals (e.g., aluminum, stainless steel) or durable composites.
- UV-stabilized finishes to prevent degradation under sunlight.
Ingress Protection:
- Equivalent to IP55 or higher, protecting against dust and water ingress.
Thermal Testing:
- Enclosures are tested to ensure internal temperatures remain within acceptable limits under extreme weather conditions.
Impact Resistance:
- Must withstand accidental impacts and vandalism attempts.
Certification Testing:
- Subjected to rigorous tests for wind, water, fire, and mechanical stresses to meet performance standards.

Industries and Applications

Telecommunications: Protects network equipment like fiber-optic terminals, routers, and switches.
Utilities: Encloses electrical components for power distribution.
Transportation: Houses traffic control systems and signals.
Renewable Energy: Protects inverters, batteries, and control systems for solar and wind power installations.

GR-487 Certification Testing

GR-487 enclosures undergo rigorous testing to ensure they meet the standard's requirements. These tests are divided into several categories:

1. Environmental Protection

Ingress Protection (Water and Dust):
- Simulates rain, wind-driven rain, and dust storms to ensure no water or debris enters the enclosure.
- Comparable to IP55 or IP65 ratings for ingress protection.
UV Resistance:
- Tests the enclosure’s surface for resistance to prolonged UV exposure to prevent material degradation.

2. Thermal Management

Heat Resistance:
- Evaluates the enclosure's ability to keep internal temperatures within operational limits during high external temperatures.
Cold Weather Performance:
- Ensures internal components remain functional in freezing conditions.
Thermal Cycling:
- Tests the enclosure's ability to handle rapid temperature changes without cracking, warping, or compromising its seals.

3. Structural Integrity

Impact Resistance:
- Simulates vandalism and accidental impacts to verify the enclosure’s strength.
Wind Load Testing:
- Ensures the enclosure can withstand high wind speeds, often exceeding 100 mph.
Seismic Testing:
- Confirms that the enclosure can endure vibrations and shocks during earthquakes.

4. Corrosion and Material Durability

Salt Fog Test:
- Mimics coastal and high-humidity environments to ensure materials resist corrosion.
Material Fatigue:
- Tests for long-term wear and tear under repeated stress.

5. Security

Tamper-Resistance Testing:
- Assesses locks, hinges, and other access points to ensure they are resistant to break-ins or unauthorized access.

6. Electrical Safety

Grounding and Bonding:
- Tests the enclosure’s ability to provide effective grounding to prevent electrical hazards.
Surge Protection:
- Ensures electrical components are shielded from surges caused by lightning or power fluctuations.

How to Select a GR-487-Compliant Enclosure

1. Assess the Application

Type of Equipment: Identify the telecom or electrical devices that need protection.
Environmental Conditions: Consider exposure to rain, sun, snow, dust, and salt.
Location: Evaluate if the area is prone to extreme conditions (e.g., hurricanes, earthquakes, coastal corrosion).

2. Choose the Right Size and Configuration

Determine the equipment's size and ensure the enclosure has adequate space for airflow, wiring, and future expansions.
Look for modular designs if you need flexibility.

3. Material Selection

Aluminum: Lightweight and corrosion-resistant, ideal for harsh climates.
Stainless Steel: Strong and durable but heavier.
Composite Materials: Lightweight and resistant to UV and chemical exposure.

4. Thermal Management Features

Opt for enclosures with:
- Solar shields to minimize heat absorption.
- Ventilation systems, fans, or air conditioners for active cooling.
- Insulated walls for extreme cold protection.

5. Security Requirements

Choose enclosures with robust locking systems and tamper-resistant designs.

6. Certification Labels

Look for the GR-487 certification explicitly mentioned in the product documentation to ensure compliance.

AZE is a leading manufacturer in providing outdoor enclosures for telecom, broadband, and industrial sectors. designs and produces GR-487-compliant enclosures for use in telecommunications, utilities, and other outdoor applications.They meet the stringent requirements of GR-487 for environmental protection, structural integrity, and security

Looking for NEMA Type outdoor enclosures?

Outdoor Server Cabinet Wall Mount Outdoor Cabinet Outdoor Telecom Enclosure Outdoor Battery Enclosure

From data center to outdoor telecom infrastructure products, AZE has the right product for you. AZE designs and manufactures Server Racks and Enclosures, Outdoor Telecom Cabinets and Electronic Enclosures, Power Distribution (Basic Rack PDUs and Smart PDUs), KVM Switches and Fiber optics products to globe customers in the market.

Make IT Connected, AZE can support you to make IT happen with affordable cost.

Contact AZE to customize your IP rated outdoor enclosures.

GR-487 Standard and Testing