Author: Barry Slotnick
Preventing Vandalism & Theft of Electrical Enclosures & Equipment
Vandalism of electrical enclosures is a growing problem. Frequently, the aim of the vandalism is not obvious apart from a desire to cause malicious damage and inconvenience to maintenance personnel. In other situations, it would appear that theft of copper wire and high value components may be a motivating factor. Continue reading
Better Condensation Management for Electrical Enclosures: Why You Need It
Condensation forms naturally when the internal temperature inside an electrical enclosure reaches the dew point and which, if not dealt with, may cause many problems. These issues include the possibility of corrosion, equipment damage, and the risk of electric shock. Also, in electrical enclosures fitted with enclosure air conditioners, water collects on the evaporator coils and has to be removed. Many vendors fit condensate drains to their enclosures to remove condensation, but this often creates other problems. It is better to implement proper condensate management techniques to deal with condensation and avoid custom-made drainage systems. Continue reading
How Temperature Control in Electrical Enclosures Affects Component Life
The debate about enclosure cooling is sometimes biased by traditional views that electro-mechanical equipment can withstand relatively high temperatures. This perception doesn’t consider the effect high temperature has on the service life of modern electrical and electronic equipment. The reality is that most industrial electrical equipment is not designed for the peak temperatures frequently reached inside enclosures during hot weather or in hot industrial environments. This often leads to premature failure. Continue reading
Checklist for Meeting All Thermal Management Requirements
This checklist is intended to help design engineers verify the important thermal management requirements for enclosure cooling systems. The checklist covers environmental conditions, cooling requirements, methods of cooling, and other pertinent design aspects. Continue reading
How to Easily Replace an Enclosure Cooling System from Another Manufacturer
When an enclosure air conditioner on one of your electrical enclosures fails, you need to act quickly before the panel overheats. But what do you do when you cannot find or contact the original enclosure air conditioner supplier or, if you can, they are unable to supply a replacement quickly? What if the technology of your old enclosure air conditioner just isn’t stacking up? Continue reading
3 Enclosure Design & Cooling Considerations when Designing Electronics for Outdoors
When you require enclosure cooling for your sensitive electronic equipment, dealing with the outdoor elements can complicate things slightly. Without the constant ambient environment present as in most indoor facilities or the shelter provided by the building to shield the enclosure from precipitation and other outdoor elements, the enclosure can be subjected to much more extreme conditions when placed outdoors. Here are some things to keep in mind when planning and designing your electrical enclosure cooling system to be located outdoors.
Moisture and Contaminants
A NEMA type 4 or 4X closed loop cooling system will prevent any moisture from entering the enclosure during closed-door operation, and dirt and dust from the surroundings will also be kept out. Even so, any time the door is open for emergency repairs or routine maintenance, contaminants have an opportunity to enter the enclosure.
When constructing the enclosure, consider the prevailing wind direction, and orient the door away from the wind, so dirt and dust will not be blown directly into the enclosure. Also consider a secondary shield, such as a tarp or awning that can be erected around the enclosure when repairs will be performed. This way the enclosure will remain cleaner and drier when the door is open.
When Is the Ambient Temperature Too Hot to Rely on Air to Air Heat Exchangers for Enclosure Cooling?
When you are looking for an efficient method for enclosure cooling, a heat exchanger is a good solution for a few different reasons. Not only is a heat exchanger energy efficient, but it allows you to maintain a completely closed loop enclosure cooling solution. The way a heat exchanger operates is by employing a heat pipe principle to exchange heat from an electrical enclosure to the outside. The waste heat is actually the engine that drives the system.
Why High Power Components Require an Enclosure Air Conditioner
High power components can be divided into two groups, those that are electro-mechanical and those that are electronic. These devices are expected to handle a significant amount of power and generate a lot of heat. Typical applications where components generate high temperatures include motion control and downhole drilling. The heat generation of electronic components is well understood but it is easy to overlook the fact that electro-mechanical devices also generate substantial amounts of heat, especially as they get older. Continue reading
Minimizing Your Plant’s Electrical Maintenance Issues with Proper Cabinet Cooling Systems
Your electrical equipment needs to be sheltered from harsh environments and extreme conditions. Electrical enclosures do a great job of keeping the electronics shielded from contaminants, such as dirt or moisture. But what about the heat produced by the equipment themselves? Choosing the right cabinet cooling system will help decrease unplanned maintenance by keeping the equipment in proper operating conditions. Continue reading
