Weather Proof Panel

Hi,
I am supposed to build a panel housing a PLC, HMI and a 2 Hp VFD. The catch is that the panel will be situated in the open. The temperature in summer reaches around 48 degrees C. The metallic structures around could be at a higher temperature. It also rains heavily for around 4 months. Winters temperature around 20 degrees C. Very very close to the sea. Saline atmosphere.

Can someone give me ideas/drawing as to what sort of panel will be suitable?

Thanks

Ron

Hello
This is Anil Reddy

In this case u have to use the Panel which is having IP( Ingress Protection).Please read below lines

EN 60529 outlines an international classification system for the sealing effectiveness of enclosures of electrical equipment against the intrusion into the equipment of foreign bodies (i.e. tools, dust, fingers) and moisture. This classification system utilizes the letters "IP" ("Ingress Protection") followed by two or three digits. (A third digit is sometimes used. An "x" is used for one of the digits if there is only one class of protection; i.e. IPX4 which addresses moisture resistance only.)


Degrees of Protection - First Digit
The first digit of the IP code indicates the degree that persons are protected against contact with moving parts (other than smooth rotating shafts, etc.) and the degree that equipment is protected against solid foreign bodies intruding into an enclosure.


0No special protection 1Protection from a large part of the body such as a hand (but no protection from deliberate access); from solid objects greater than 50mm in diameter. 2Protection against fingers or other object not greater than 80mm in length and 12mm in diameter. 3Protection from entry by tools, wires, etc., with a diameter of thickness greater than 1.0mm. 4Protection from entry by solid objects with a diameter or thickness greater than 1.0mm 5Protection from the amount of dust that would interfere with the operation of the equipment. 6Dust tight.

Degrees of Protection - Second Digit
The second digit indicates the degree of protection of the equipment inside the enclosure against the harmful entry of various forms of moisture (e.g. dripping, spraying, submersion, etc.)


0No special protection 1Protection from dripping water. 2Protection from vertically dripping water. 3Protection from sprayed water. 4Protection from splashed water. 5Protection from water projected from a nozzle 6Protection against heavy seas, or powerful jets of water. 7Protection against immersion. 8Protection against complete, continuous submersion in water.
Submersion depth and time must be specified by the end-user. The requirement must be more onerous than IP67

2rlp said:

Hi,
I am supposed to build a panel housing a PLC, HMI and a 2 Hp VFD. The catch is that the panel will be situated in the open. The temperature in summer reaches around 48 degrees C. The metallic structures around could be at a higher temperature. It also rains heavily for around 4 months. Winters temperature around 20 degrees C. Very very close to the sea. Saline atmosphere.

Can someone give me ideas/drawing as to what sort of panel will be suitable?

Thanks

Ron

Click to expand...

Thanks Anil, you see there is also a need to keep the inside pf the panel cool and also the VFD fan will need fresh air.

2rlp

I would not necessarily foocus on "traditional" electrical panels for outdoor use. There are companies which specialise in this type of enclosure and they tend to use different materials and constructions (Think in terms of the roadside cabinets used by utilities). In the UK Glasdon are a major supplier but I am sure there are many more. I would speak to one of these companies.
Andybr

I am not sure what is considered "traditional" but most idustrial enclosure manufacturers make panels that are Nema 4/12, IEC 60529 IP66.

Hoffman http://www.hoffmanonline.com/product_catalog/index.aspx?cat_1=34 is one manufacturer that offers a variety including the above.

Also on that page it has a section on Thermal Management.

Naturally you will need to use watertight fittings etc. Run the conduit(s) into the bottom of panel, avoid attaching any to the top of the panel.

I offered that page to help you get an idea what you may need, will have to talk with a local supplier to determine what is available to match your needs.

You have several choices.

First, Ron is correct in stating you want NEMA 4X panels, IP66. Fiberglass (FRP) absorbs less solar heat than stainless steel, but the polyester breaks down after a few years exposure to sunlight.

You should consider adding a sun shield or hood. This is a four sided box a few inches larger than the enclosure and will keep direct sunlight off the enclosure proper. You may also consider painting the enclosure white to reduce solar gain, even if it is stainless.

If you don't have unusually sensitive components inside you can probably use a vent and a fan to continuously blow air through the enclosure, essntially keeping inside temperatures at ******t. Thes fans and vents should be filtered, and they are availble with stainless rain hoods. If you have sensitive components you can get IP66 air conditioners, but they are pricey.

Contact your enclosure supplier - they can provide lots of help.

PS So when did A-M-B-I-E-N-T become a four letter word?

Does the Saline atmosphere pose problems?
I would be sure to make this a consideration. You may need to supply the cabinet with "fresh" air (filter, compressed air, etc).

As for the saline atmosphere, I would vote for a stainless air conditioner and NO fresh air. Kooltronics is one brand that makes a stainless model. I'm sure there are others.

Stationmaster

Tom Jenkins said:

So when did A-M-B-I-E-N-T become a four letter word?

Click to expand...

A-mbien is a drug.
I guess its a no-no.

SLC_Integrator said:

A-mbien is a drug.
I guess its a no-no.

Click to expand...

Has been forever as far as I can tell. I have requested that it be removed from the list, maybe this time.

Tom Jenkins said:

You have several choices.

First, Ron is correct in stating you want NEMA 4X panels, IP66. Fiberglass (FRP) absorbs less solar heat than stainless steel, but the polyester breaks down after a few years exposure to sunlight.

Click to expand...

Tom, just want to clarify something here. Are you comparing stainless steel, fiberglass, and polyester panels or are you comparing stainless steel to fiberglass panels that contain polyester?

In other words are fiberglass enclosures ok in direct sunlight?

Other options for cooling is a Noreen cabinet cooler which is a Nema4X Heat exchanger which is significantly less $$ than an AC unit. You can also purchase Nema4X VFD's that that have an external Heat sink AB carries these in the fractional to 10Hp range pretty reasonably, these can also be mounted in panels with the Heat Sink out the back of the panel to maintain the 4X rating. Tom is correct about the sunshield I use to supply control panels in FL and every one outside was provided with a sunshield a couple of inches around the panel makes a huge difference. Hoffman has a free program on thier website to calculate thermal loading of panels and of course thier recomendation of cooling equipment.

sdb83065 said:

You can also purchase Nema4X VFD's that that have an external Heat sink AB carries these in the fractional to 10Hp range pretty reasonably, these can also be mounted in panels with the Heat Sink out the back of the panel to maintain the 4X rating.

Click to expand...

That sounds like a GREAT idea for small hp. Less expensive than A/C, no moving parts (?), and still keeps salty air out of the panel. Can I change my vote?

Stationmaster

TWControls said:

Tom, just want to clarify something here. Are you comparing stainless steel, fiberglass, and polyester panels or are you comparing stainless steel to fiberglass panels that contain polyester?

In other words are fiberglass enclosures ok in direct sunlight?

Click to expand...

Fiberglass panels will last for years in direct sunlight, but you do have the problem of the glass fibers coming through after a couple of years. This doesn't effect the structural or sealing integrity, but it is unsightly and the exposed glas fibers are a little uncomfortable to the touch when working on the panel.

The abbreviation for fiberglass is FRP. That stands for Fiberglass Reinforced Polyester. In all commercially available fiberglass panels that I know of the resin that the glass fibers are embedded in is polyester.

Well, we actually built these mini rooms with window A/c this room gives a clearance of 1 metre on all sides of the panel.

Ambeeient ( deliberately misspelled) temperature is a big problem and hence has to be dealt using such rooms.

Good luck,