Performance analysis of a temperature adaptive anti-condensation device in open-plan control cabinets

Abstract

A temperature adaptive anti-condensation device was presented to adapt the anti-condensation requirements of shipborne open-plan control cabinets in non-operating state under high temperature, high relative humidity and harsh environment. By analyzing working principle of the anti-condensation device and influence factors of the ambient temperature, the dew point temperature was determined. According to the energy transfer theory, the heat transfer coefficient of heating units, the effective heat dissipation area of radiators, and the Cubic Feet per Minute (CFM) parameters of axial flow fans were deduced and calculated. Then dual-redundant temperature control strategy was adopted to control the internal temperature adaptively in the open-plan control cabinet between 33 °C and 40 °C. Furthermore, to quantify the numerical model, temperature distribution of the finite-element analysis (FEA) and experiments were carried out, of which the results were compared with the analytic solutions. The results indicated that surface temperatures of the internal electronic devices in the open-plan control cabinet can be controlled no less than the dew point temperature of 33 °C with no condensations. In summary, an optimum temperature, dry and reliable working environment for electronic devices was built to prevent corrosion and damage effectively, as well as the stable performance of the open-plan control cabinet was consequently enhanced.