Heating a class 1 zone 2 panel 1

[chrismathew]

I am trying to figure out a way to heat an outdoor enclosure. The panel is mounted on the outdie wall of a building. The inside of the building is rated for class 1 zone 1. the outside is class 1 zone 2. I am wondering how I can heat the outside panel without using an electrical device. I cannot comprimise the zone 2 rating of the Panel. Any ideas?

 

[itsmoked]

Put the box inside another box?


Why can't you use an electrical heater in a zone 2 situation?

Keith Cress
kcress -

http://www.flaminsystems.com

 

[WindTurbinesAreFine]

Some sort of thermal covering or enclosure might do the trick.

 

[chrismathew]

Can't use an electrical heater, because we do not have enough power

 

[WindTurbinesAreFine]

Not enough power? How large is the panel?

 

[chrismathew]

Well, this is a 24VDC panel. It we only have 50 watts of power for this panel. We are pretty close to that value with our load.

I am just worried about our HMI which is going to be on the front door of the panel. It's going to be in a place where it can get to -40 Degrees celcius.

 

[itsmoked]

You have a problem..

You should not even be using an HMI in this case.

Your only option now is to crazy over-insulate it. Completely cover it - fully encase it - all sides - top - bottom - front - six faces. Use thick polyurethane that is glued together on the edges. It would then need to be in another box so the insulation could not get wet and wick up water and to block the wind. Then you need to make a hatch in the insulation to allow access to the HMI. Once this is all done you either need to confirm that the electronics will dump enough heat to keep you system happy or you need to add some electrical heat to help. Once heavily insulated the electronics alone may do the trick, if not perhaps something like 5W will still suffice.

You might be able to reverse this and line a larger enclosure with insulation then put yours in it but that would require very careful control of heat leakage thru conduits etc.

Keith Cress
kcress -

http://www.flaminsystems.com