Performance evaluation of control panel heat exchanger

Abstract

Due to miniaturization, weight reduction, and high density of electronic equipment, the control panel has become smaller and the internal heat generation temperature is higher. In addition, the installation place of the control panel is a factory etc., heat, dust, moisture, oil mist adversely affect the electronic control unit. Therefore, a control panel heat exchanger is used for sealing the control panel and releasing the heat generated therein to the outside. We evaluated the performance of the control panel heat exchanger in this research. Experiments shall be conducted in accordance with the capacity evaluation test method of the Japan Thermal Solution Equipment for Cabinet Technical Association. Experiments were conducted by installing a heat exchanger in the measurement reference box of 1700 mm in length, 700 mm in width, and 700 mm in depth made of a steel plate to which a heat insulating material with a thickness of 40 mm was attached. The dimensions of the heat exchanger are 900 mm in length, 438 mm in width and 129 mm in depth, and two fans are mounted on the inside of the heat exchanger and two on the outside air side. Twelve thermocouples were installed in the heat exchanger and twelve thermocouples were installed to check the temperature inside the box and the temperature was measured. An experiment was conducted until the temperature inside the panel reached a steady state by setting the heater unit in the measurement reference box and changing the calorific value. Experiments were also conducted until the temperature inside the board reached a steady state by changing the calorific value of the heater unit without operating the heat exchanger, and the heat release amount P0 to the outside of the reference box for measurement was obtained. The calorific value P at the temperature difference of 20 K between the average value of the intake port temperature and the exhaust port temperature inside the panel of the control panel heat exchanger and the outside air temperature was obtained. The heat release amount P0 is subtracted from the calorific value P and the value divided by the temperature difference 20 K is defined as the rated capacity of the control panel heat exchanger. From the experimental results the rated capacity was 56.0 W/K.