Parker Hannifin PA Series manual Points to consider when performing a site review are

Chapter 2: Installing the PowerStation Selecting a Location

PA PowerStation’s have been tested for use in 50oC ambient, still air locations. This means that when installed, the ambient air surrounding the backside of the PowerStation is not expected to exceed 50oC. An example of this type of installation would be a PowerStation mounted in a small, sealed industrial enclosure.

The most commonly overlooked aspect of this type of installation is that heat generated by the device becomes trapped inside the enclosure and increases the ambient temperature surrounding the PowerStation. This increase in temperature can sometimes exceed an additional 15oC or more.

Although the thermal dynamics are not always linear, a temperature rise of 15oC would imply that the environment outside the sealed enclosure could not exceed 35oC (95oF), or the PowerStation would surpass its maximum operating temperature.

Do not mount a PowerStation into a sealed enclosure and mistakenly think that due to the 50oC rating of the product, the sealed enclosure can operate in a 50oC ambient environment without considering the affects of the internal heat build up.

Since elevated operating temperatures can have negative affect on the life of electronics, it is wise to consider the internal thermal rise. Passive venting for thermal convection, internal air circulation fans, filtered exhaust fans with filtered inlets, air conditioners, and other products are available in the market to assist in reducing the heat build up in the industrial enclosure.

There are many attractive NEMA Type 12, dust-tight fan/filter assemblies available today in which the filter can be inexpensively replaced or cleaned as part of a periodic maintenance schedule. Or in some cases, simply increasing the size of the enclosure, and thus the outside surface area for example, can have a significant, positive affect on the installation’s thermal response.

Points to consider when performing a site review are:

1What is the expected maximum outside ambient temperature that the industrial enclosure will experience?

2Are there additional heat-generating components inside the enclosure?

3What is the size of the enclosure? Larger enclosures dissipate more thermal energy than smaller ones.

4In what kind of environment will the enclosure be installed - clean, water-tight, dust-tight? Can the enclosure be convection cooled or is active cooling required?

In summary, it is a wise investment to thermally plan the installation by anticipating, and eliminating, the heat build up inside a sealed enclosure. Not only will this extend the life of the electronics, but it will also reduce costly equipment downtime.

PA PowerStation User Guide 2-3