Telecommunications enclosure designs for improved sealing and reliability via superabsorbent polymers

An telecommunications equipment enclosure, the system comprising:

• a first portion having a first sealing surface;
• a second portion having a second sealing surface, wherein the first portion and the second portion define an internal cavity when the first sealing surface contacts the second sealing surface and the first portion and the second portion are in a closed configuration;
• a first gasket on either the first sealing surface or the second sealing surface;
• a second gasket on either the first portion or the second portion, wherein the second gasket comprises a superabsorbent polymer (SAP) and wherein the second gasket is capable of absorbing from 50 grams to 1000 grams of water per gram of SAP;
• and
• a third gasket on either the first sealing surface or the second sealing surface, wherein the second gasket is positioned between the first gasket and the third gasket when the first portion and the second portion are in a closed configuration.

A method of manufacturing an telecommunications equipment enclosure, comprising:

• forming a first portion having a first sealing surface;
• forming a second portion having a second sealing surface, wherein the first portion and the second portion define an internal cavity when the first sealing surface contacts the second sealing surface and the first portion and the second portion are in a closed configuration;
• placing a first gasket on either the first sealing surface or the second sealing surface;
• and
• placing a superabsorbent polymer (SAP) on at least one of the first portion and the second portion for restricting ingress of water into the internal cavity when the first portion and the second portion are in the closed configuration, wherein the SAP is not located between the first sealing surface and the second sealing surface when the first portion and the second portion are in the closed configuration.