Additional informations

Thermal characteristics

Thermal management of switchboards

General
A switchboard is designed for operation under normal ambient conditions. Most devices do not operation correctly outside a temperature range of -10 and +70C. It is therefore important to maintain the switchboard internal temperature within this temperature range by: b correctly sizing the switchboard during design b correcting the temperature using suitable means.

Management of the internal temperature

DD383633

Cooling There are a number of way to dissipate heat from the switchboard. The drawings below present the various means. Convection
DD383634 DD383635

Forced-air ventilation

IP > 31

IP y 31

IP y 54

Ensured naturally in Prisma Plus enclosures

Using fans, it signicantly increases the thermal capacity of an enclosure.

Forced-air ventilation with air-air exchanger

DD383637 DD383638

Forced convection and cooling

?
IP > 31 On special request. IP > 31

For these extreme cases, many installers prefer to set up the switchboards with other electrotechnical and electronic devices in air-conditioned electrical rooms. Heating The means employed to raise the internal temperature in a switchboard is a resistorbased heater, used to: b avoid condensation by limiting variations in temperature b ensure that the switchboard does not freeze.

version: 1.0 - 09/2008

100E45100.indd

Additional informations
Thermal characteristics

Thermal management of switchboards

General
Calculation of the temperature is the means to check that the enclosure can evacuate the dissipated power of the installed devices. Important note Correct thermal management of the switchboard depends on compliance with the installation requirements for the distribution system (power circuits). Incorrect installation will have major consequences on the connected device, but almost none on the internal temperature of the enclosure. Once the circuit has been correctly sized, it is necessary to check whether the assembly (devices + distribution system + cables) have a level of dissipated power P(W) y the P(W) that the enclosure can handle. Method dened by IEC 890 technical report This IEC guide for switchboards proposes a calculation method to determine three levels of internal temperature, depending on the dissipated power of the devices and distribution blocks installed in the switchboard. Users can consult this document when it is necessary to determine precisely the internal temperature in view of optimising the switchboard. On request, Schneider Electric can carry out a thermal study to check that the installed assembly and the thermal capacity of the enclosure are compatible.

Calculation of the internal temperature

DD381401

Comparative method A number of qualied and tested congurations serve as the basis for indicating the thermal capacity of Prisma Plus enclosures. This is en empirical means to check whether the dissipated power of the desired conguration is close to that of a tested conguration.

DD383636

Method using charts taking into account enclosure characteristics To speed up calculations, Schneider Electric produces charts based on the companys experience and a number of assumptions on the installation. They can be used sufciently precisely to determine the variations in temperature and the dissipated-power levels for the different types of wall-mount enclosures, oor-standing enclosures and cubicles. For details on the calculation of the dissipated power in the device zone, see page 100E45000.indd/7.

DD382422

100E45100.indd

version: 1.0 - 09/2008