Electrical Industry Article

Electrical contractors can face a conundrum when it comes to electrical enclosures. While the entire point of the enclosure is to protect the sensitive electrical equipment its covering, the resulting lack of air circulation can, itself, cause damage. To address this issue, manufacturers have come up with several ventilation system designs that help dissipate internal heat while still maintaining electrical equipment integrity.

The need for ventilation is more common with metallic enclosures because materials like steel and aluminum conduct heat more easily than the polycarbonate and fiberglass used to fabricate nonmetallic products. In particularly challenging environments – say, where temperatures in the surrounding environment also are high – fan systems or even refrigerant-based approaches might be needed to keep electrical and electronic equipment safely cooled. But in many cases, nonmetallic enclosures can be suitably ventilated using simple passive designs that provide ample airflow to keep equipment within operating parameters. One question to answer in these applications is whether incoming air needs to be filtered.

Controlled environments offer an easy answer to this question – for example, equipment in spaces like clean rooms that feature minimal dust, dirt or airborne contaminants is probably safe without filtration. Situations where filters would be recommended include:

• Dirty environments where dust or particulate matter could cause damage to sensitive electronics.
• High humidity environments that could support moisture condensation that could lead to corrosion – here, filters can help remove moisture from inside the enclosure as well as from air entering the enclosure.
• Areas at risk for chemical or other contaminant exposure, where filters can capture these substances before they enter the enclosure.
• Outdoor installations that could face challenges from dirt, dust, pollen, leaves or insects.