Problem solved: Overheating in your control cabinet leads to downtime

Industrial electronic systems always have a minimum and maximum temperature between which they can operate and perform. When electronic systems get too hot, they are more likely to malfunction or even cause machines to break down. The result is an increased risk of downtime.

Risks in your control cabinet

A machine often produces lots of dust or vibrations. Dust can cause nasty problems if it ends up in control cabinets. This dust often accumulates around the areas intended for ventilation. Obstructing ventilation reduces the amount of cool air entering the control cabinet, leading to an increase in temperature. 

Vibration causes screws to loosen over time. This leads to inferior cable connections and an increase in resistance. As the resistance gets higher, more current goes through the connection, causing it to heat up and trigger carbon deposition. This causes even more current to be conducted and results in the connection getting even hotter. This can result in an arc. Arcs are life-threatening and must be avoided at all times.

Stay on top of this threat with a thermographic measurement

Thermographic measurements allow early detection of potential risks. Thermography is the mapping of temperature conditions within industrial systems. At UNIS Group, we mainly look at electrical modules and screw connections. If overheating is strongly suspected, a thermal imaging camera will be used to examine what is happening in your control cabinet. It looks for what are referred to as 'heat spots'. Heat spots can point to electronic systems getting too hot, as well as to loose screws or contamination.

How can you prevent overheating?

You can prevent overheating by observing some basic rules. For example:

• Make sure your control cabinets are clean and tidy.
• Replace filters in a timely manner as a means of prevention.
• Proactively check screw connections on a regular basis.

Performing periodic thermographic measurements validates that the measures taken are working properly and that the electronic components are not getting too hot.

If you don't have a thermal imaging camera available for checking such faults, then get in touch with us immediately and we will be happy to help. Problem Solved!