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How to choose

How to choose

When selecting a control panel cooler, determine the cooling capacity required to maintain the desired temperature inside the control panel. The required cooling capacity varies depending on factors such as the amount of heat generated inside the panel, the ambient temperature, the desired temperature inside the panel, and the installation location.

1. How to select panel cooler [indoor installation]

cooling capacity required to maintain the desired temperature inside panel can be calculated using the formula below.

If you know the values for the total heat generated inside the control panel, the heat transfer rate, and other such figures,Model Selection GuideThis makes it easy to calculate the required cooling capacity.

①Total heat generation inside panel

The total heat generated by the devices housed inside the panel.
*For the heat output of each device, please refer to the heat output list by device.

② Heat transfer rate

The rate at which heat penetrates from outside the panel into the panel.
This varies depending on the type of sheet metal and thickness, but for a 2mm thick steel plate it is approximately 5 [W/m2・℃].

③ Maximum ambient temperature

The highest temperature expected in the installation environment.
Check the highest temperature expected in the environment where the control panel will be installed, such as during the height of summer.

④ Desired temperature inside the panel

Desired board temperature (the recommended temperature is 35°C).
If you set the desired temperature inside the cabinet too low, it not only makes condensation more likely to occur, but also extends the cooling time and increases power consumption.

⑤ panel effective surface area

The total surface area of all surfaces of the target control panel that come into contact with the atmosphere. For freestanding panels, this refers to the surface area excluding the bottom surface.
For wall-mounted installations, the calculation excludes surfaces that do not come into contact with the atmosphere, such as the back panel.

2. How to select panel cooler [outdoor installation]

For outdoor installation, add the amount of energy from sunlight to the selection result of panel cooler for indoor installation calculated in 1. panel cooler selection method [indoor installation].

Required Cooling Capacity [W]
=Total Solar Heat Gain+ Required cooling capacity when used as an indoor unit (1. How to Select a Control Panel Cooler [Indoor Installation](See ...)

How to calculate total solar radiation and heat penetration

1) Calculate the amount of heat entering through solar radiation.

The amount of sunlight varies depending on the installation location, date, time and orientation.

*Sample data of solar radiation on each surface (Tokyo area, July 22nd, clear skies) Unit: W/m²

  Top north face East side south side West side
11 o'clock 1026.7 302.8 302.8 305.1 77.3
12 o'clock 1064.0 78.3 78.3 325.9 78.3
13:00 1043.0 78.8 78.8 310.1 307.7
14:00 980.2 79.1 79.1 261.7 523.3
3pm 872.1 80.7 80.7 179.8 715.3

Therefore, the required amount of solar heat radiation is calculated for each surface and the sum of the calculations is the amount of solar heat radiation required. The solar heat radiation for each surface can be calculated using the following formula.

Total solar radiation heat intrusion = Temperature rise on the surface of the housing on each side (equivalent to the rise in outside temperature) x Overall heat transfer coefficient x Surface area of each side
Equivalent outside temperature rise [℃] =
Solar radiation on each surface [W/m²] ×
Solar absorptivity Heat transfer coefficient on outer surface of enclosure [W/m²・℃]
Terminology
  • Heat transfer coefficient (W/m² °C): Ratio of the amount of heat that enters (or dissipates) by heat conduction to the area when there is a temperature difference between the ambient temperature (the temperature at which the enclosure surface rises) and the desired temperature. panel varies depending on the board thickness and material, but is defined as 5 to 6 W/m² °C by the Panel Heat Related Equipment Manufacturers Association.
  • "Heat transfer coefficient on the outside of the housing (W/m²・℃)" - It is estimated to be approximately 10W/m²・℃ when there is no wind, and approximately 15W/m²・℃ when the wind speed is 1 to 2 m/s. The higher the wind speed, the greater the heat transfer coefficient.
  • "Casing surface temperature rise (equivalent to outside air temperature rise)": This refers to the equivalent temperature rise due to solar radiation.

From the above, we can see that the temperature will vary depending on the area where the panel is installed, the color and condition of the panel surface, the condition of the panel's outer walls (thickness, double structure, installation of sunshades, etc.), and the condition of the wind circulating outside the panel.

As an example, let's calculate using panel with the following conditions.

◎ Height 2000mm, width 1000mm, depth 500mm◎ Door facing south◎ Tokyo area, July 22nd, clear skies, 2pm, no wind◎ Panel thickness 2mm, paint color: light beige, wall surface is single-layer structure

Face position solar radiation
(W/m²)
solar absorptance Outer surface of the housing
heat transfer coefficient
(W/m²・℃)
Fairly open air
Temperature rise
(℃)
heat transfer rate
(W/m²・℃)
Area of surface (m²) Solar heat (W)
Top 980.2 0.5 10 49.01 5 0.5 122.5
north face 79.1 0.5 10 3.955 5 2 39.6
East side 79.1 0.5 10 3.955 5 1 19.8
south side 261.7 0.5 10 13.085 5 2 130.9
West side 523.3 0.5 10 26.165 5 1 130.8
Total solar radiation and heat infiltration 443.6

Caution! As the surface of the disc becomes dull over time, the absorption rate changes, so it is necessary to select a product with safety factor in mind.

2) Select the appropriate unit by matching the required cooling capacity listed above to the capacity-performance curve for each control panel cooler.

<<Notes on selection>>

  1. Please note that the amount of heat generated by inverters, servo amplifiers, etc. varies greatly depending on how they are used, motor torque, etc.
  2. For inverters with a rating output of 50 kW or more, the amount of heat generated varies greatly depending on the manufacturer, so please check with the manufacturer.
  3. When selecting a model, please select one that exceeds the required rating capacity and cooling capacity.
  4. Please note that capacity calculated using the above formula are only a guideline and are not absolute values.
  5. Please note that depending on the sealing of the panel, the position with the heating element, and the convection in the chamber, the expected cooling capacity may not be obtained.
  6. Dirty filter and deterioration of the fan motor may lead to a decrease in cooling capacity, so please perform regular maintenance.

List of heat output by device

1. power supply and transformer equipment

Equipment stored inside the panel Heat generation (reference value) Remarks
transformer rating capacity
~100VA 15%程度
~300VA 10%程度
~500VA 8%程度
~1kVA 7%程度
~3kVA 5%程度
~5kVA 4%程度
~10kVA 3%程度
~50kVA 2.5%程度
~100kVA 2%程度
  • Types: Compound-wound transformer, isolation transformer
  • Loss is considered equivalent to heat generation.
  • The smaller the size, the greater the heat generation ratio.
Voltage regulator rating capacity
~500VA 10%程度
~1kVA 7%程度
~40kVA 5%程度
  • Type: Slide transformer (manual)
  • Loss is considered equivalent to heat generation.
  • The smaller the size, the greater the heat generation ratio.
AC power supply supply
stabilized power supply
rating output capacity
~5kVA 20%程度
~10kVA 15%程度
  • Loss is considered equivalent to heat generation.
Uninterruptible power supply
(UPS)
Approximately 10-15% of rating output capacity.
  • The smaller the size, the greater the heat generation ratio.
  • The heat generation value is for when the battery is in a floating charge state.
  • Continuous inverter power supply type.
DC stabilized power supply
(switching regulator)
rating output capacity
~6kW

Approximately 20-30%

~15kW Approximately 10-15%
  • The amount of heat generated when rating output capacity is 100%.
  • The smaller the size, the greater the heat generation ratio.
Low-Voltage Capacitor Approximately 0.15 to 0.2% of rating capacity
  • Loss is considered equivalent to heat generation.
  • rating capacity (kvar) is calculated from the capacitor capacity and power-supply voltage.
    1kvar=318.3μF at 100V 50Hz
    1kvar=265.3μF at 100V 60Hz
lead acid battery Q(W) = I × V × n
  • The heat generated by this calculation applies only during charging.
  • Q: Heat output (W)
  • I: Charging current (A)
  • V: Charging voltage (V)
  • n: Number of cells

2. Amplifiers

Equipment stored inside the panel Heat generation (reference value) Remarks
AC servo amplifier rating Output
~0.1kVA 40%程度
~0.5kVA 10%程度
~1kVA 8%程度
~3kVA 5%程度
~5kVA 4%程度
~11kVA 3.5%程度
~22kVA 3%程度
  • The amount of heat generated per servo amplifier when operating at 100% of its rating output.
  • The smaller the size, the greater the heat generation ratio.
  • Built-in power supply type.
Inverter rating Output
~0.4kW 12.5%程度
~0.75kW 11%程度
~1.5kW 8%程度
~2.2kW 7%程度
~3.7kW 6%程度
~7.5kW 6%程度
~11kW 5%程度
~22kW 4.5%程度
~30kW 4%程度
  • The amount of heat generated when the unit is operating at 100% of rating output.
  • The smaller the size, the greater the heat generation ratio.
  • During continuous rating output.
  • As the load and utilization rates decrease, the amount of heat generated also decreases, so it should be calculated according to the manufacturer's specification.
Large inverter
(200V system)
rating Output
~37kW 1400W程度
~45kW 1800W程度
~55kW 2400W程度
~75kW 2500W程度
~90kW 2800W程度
 
Large inverter
(400V system)
rating Output
~37kW 1600W程度
~45kW 2000W程度
~55kW 2200W程度
~75kW 2400W程度
~90kW 2500W程度
  • The amount of heat generated when the unit is operating at 100% of rating output.
  • The smaller the size, the greater the heat generation ratio.
  • When outputting a continuous rating.
  • As the load and utilization rate decrease, the amount of heat generated also decreases, so it should be calculated according to the manufacturer's specification.
Thyristor rating current
  single-phase three phase
~25A 50W程度 90W程度
~35A 55W程度 115W程度
~50A 75W程度 175W程度
~75A 110W程度 250W程度
~100A 120W程度 320W程度
~150A 200W程度 520W程度
~250A 350W程度 930W程度
~350A 400W程度 1150W程度
~450A 520W程度 1600W程度
~600A 700W程度 2000W程度
  • Heat generation amount indication.
  • Three-phase power generates more heat than single-phase.
Power conditioner rating output (kW) × (1 - Power conversion efficiency % / 100)
  • Type: Industrial.

3. Wiring equipment

Equipment stored inside the panel Heat generation (reference value) Remarks
Circuit breaker
(MCCB)
rating current
~20A 5W程度
~50A 10W程度
~100A 15W程度
~225A 35W程度
~400A 85W程度
~600A 110W程度
~800A 135W程度
  • The amount of heat generated when rating current is 100%.
  • It is proportional to the number of poles.
  • In the case of a 3P.
Earth leakage circuit breaker (ELCB) rating current
~225A About MCCB+5W
~400A MCCB+10W approx.
~600A MCCB+35W approx.
~800A MCCB+65W approx.
  (Earth leakage electronic circuit section, etc.)
  • The leakage current electronic circuit section is independent of the number of poles.
Electromagnetic contactor rating capacity
~4kW 7W程度
~11kW 15W程度
~22kW 30W程度
~37kW 50W程度
~55kW 90W程度
~110kW 200W程度
~160kW 340W程度
~200kW 460W程度
  • Heat generation at 100% rating current.
  • In the case of a 3P.
  • For AC220V.
Thermal overload relay
(thermal)
rating current
~15A 2W/極程度
~30A 3W/極程度
~100A 7W/極程度
~150A 9W/極程度
~450A 12W/極程度
~600A 13W/極程度
  • The maximum set current is the amount of heat generated when energized.
Electromagnetic relay 4W程度
  • The amount of heat generated when rating current is 100%.

4. Control equipment

Equipment stored inside the panel Heat generation (reference value) Remarks
Small relay
Mini Relay Approximately 1W to 2W per unit
Power Relay Approximately 2W to 3W per unit
power consumption of the coil is considered as the amount of heat generated.
Solid State Relay
(SSR)
For single-phase use: Heat output W = Output ON: Voltage drop V × Load current A
For 3-phase use: Heat output W = Output ON: Voltage drop V × Load current A × Number of elements
Output ON voltage drop: approximately 1.6 to 1.8V.
Temperature controller power consumption is considered equivalent to heat generation.  
PLC Integrated PLC (All-in-One Type): power consumption is considered as heat generation.
Reference (items with limited expansion/expansion capabilities)
- AC power supply
I/O score 10~32 Approximately 20-35W
  32~64 Approximately 35-50W
  64 or older I/O points × approximately 0.7W to 1W
・In the case of a DC power supply
I/O score 10~32 20W or less
  32 or older Approximately 0.5W per I/O point

Other PLCs
(Base, power supply, CPU unit configuration): power consumption of power supply unit is considered as power consumption
  • Refer to power consumption based on the internal current consumption of each unit.
  • The heat generated per slot is approximately 6W.

5. Information and communication equipment

Equipment stored inside the panel Heat generation (reference value) Remarks
PC main unit power consumption is considered equivalent to heat generation.  
monitor  
server  
Switching hub  
router  
Media converter  
booster power consumption- Transmission power  
display LED display: power consumption x approximately 0.7
LCD: power consumption is considered as heat generation.
 

6. Others

Equipment stored inside the panel Heat generation (reference value) Remarks
Fan motor
φ90サイズ 10W程度
φ120サイズ 20W程度
φ140サイズ 40W程度
φ180サイズ 55W程度
φ150サイズ 55W程度
  • rating input is considered as the heat generated.
  • For axial fan motor.
  • For AC input.
  • The size is the frame size.

remarks
(1) When calculating from rating capacity (VA) and rating output (VA), the heat generation amount (W) is obtained by multiplying by the percentage (%).
(2) Actual heat generation varies depending on the equipment, so it is necessary to check the catalogs and technical documents of each manufacturer.
(3) Wiring and other small components can also be sources of heat, so this must be taken into consideration.

Product information for Apiste 's Enclosure Cooling Unit can be found here.

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