How do I calculate my enclosure's temperature rise?

Below is a set of steps to calculate your enclosure’s temperature rise: The first thing you should take action on is identifying the electrical input power indicated in watts/square foot. You can do this by taking the amount of heat dissolved within the enclosure expressed in watts and dividing it by the square feet of the enclosure’s surface area.

Why do electric cabinets rise in temperature?

Temperature rise within electric cabinets primarily comes from electrical components, such as: Warmth also comes from external environmental conditions, such as outdoor air or direct sunlight. Enclosures mounted directly on walls may endure a higher temperature rise because they have less surface area to disperse heat.

What is acceptable temperature rise inside the enclosure?

Additionally, the acceptable temperature rise inside the enclosure is usually limited to 18°F (10°C) above the surrounding ambient temperature. Following these benchmarks helps protect sensitive components and maintain reliable performance. Heat can come from both inside and outside the enclosure.

What happens if temperature rises in an electrical enclosure?

Heat can build up quickly inside electrical enclosures, especially when they’re packed with working components. If the temperature gets too high, it can damage your equipment or cause it to stop working properly. In this article, we’ll show you how to calculate temperature rise in an enclosure.

How do you calculate a temperature rise?

You can do this by taking the amount of heat dissolved within the enclosure expressed in watts and dividing it by the square feet of the enclosure’s surface area. Once you have the electrical input power, you can use the graph underneath to find the approximate temperature rise.

How do I know if my enclosure has a temperature rise?

To find the actual temperature rise, you’ll need a reference chart. These are often provided by enclosure manufacturers and show how much the internal temperature will rise for a given heat load density—depending on the enclosure material and finish. Here’s a rough guide: