The Need for Environment Control
With wide spread use of micro-electronics in today’s control systems, temperature management takes on a new priority in order to ensure steady and reliable performance. The maintenance of a correct operating temperature may combine both cooling and or heating inside an enclosure which can protect against costly down time and system failures.
General Selection Considerations
| Conditions | Solution | Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maximum desired enclosure temperature is 10°F or 5°C above maximum outside ambient. |
Oversize the Enclosure | Easy to implement, no maintenance. Maintains NEMA rating of the enclosure. | Dissipates small amount of heat. Larger enclosure size takes up more space. |
| Install ventilation louvers | Economical solution, very little maintenance, easy to implement. |
Dissipates limited amount of heat. Dirt, oil or fluids could enter the enclosure. NEMA rating is affected. | |
| Install filter fans | Less expensive than air/refrigeration systems. Relatively high amount of heat removed, some termperature control by using thermostats. | Must maintain filters. NEMA rating can be affected. Limited use in hostile environments such as chemical applications. | |
| Use an air/air heat exchanger | Easy to install, small power consumption, temperature control via thermostat. Maintains NEMA rating of the enclosure. | Must maintain filters. | |
| Maximum desired enclosure temperature lower than maximum outside ambient. | Use an air conditioner | Easy to install. Temperature control via factory installed thermostat. Removes large amounts of heat. Maintains NEMA rating of enclosure, dehumidifies enclosure air. | Must maintain filter. Generally not to be used when outside temperature is below 59°F (15°) or above 130°F (52°C). |
| Conditions | Solution | Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|---|---|
| Localized heat or "hot spots". | Install circulation fans in the enclosure. | Economical solution, no maintainance, easy to install. Maintains NEMA rating of the enclosure. | Dissipates small amount of heat. |
| Conditions | Solution | Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|---|---|
| Outside temperature is below minimum allowable equipment operation range. | Heat with radiant heater. | Economical power consumption. Reliable, can be temperature controlled. | Consumes energy, takes up internal panel space. |
| Condensation occurs. | Heat with radiant heater to maintain temperature above the dewpoint. | Economical power consumption. Reliable, humidity can be controlled. | Consumes energy, takes up internal panel space. |
