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2038879

Requirements for

Environmental Protection

Eltek Power Supply Systems

2 Requirements for Environmental Protection 2038879, Issue 3.0 2016-06

Information in this document is subject to change without notice and does not represent a commitment on the part of Eltek. No part of this document may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means — electronic or mechanical, including photocopying and recording — for any purpose without the explicit written permission of Eltek.

Copyright ©: Eltek, 2016

Doc 2038879, Issue 3.0, 2016 June

Published: 2017-01-13

clha/frva/mafe

Doc 2038879, Issue 3.0, 2016 June, DRAFT6


clha/frva/mafe

Doc 2038879, Issue 3.0, 2016 June, DRAFT6


Requirements for Environmental Protection 2038879, Issue 3.0 2016-06 3

Table of Contents 1. Introduction ............................................................................................ 4

2. General Environmental Considerations ............................................... 4

3. Cabinet Selection & Environmental Considerations ......................... 5

Free Air Cooling (Open Loop Cooling) with Fan & Filter ............................... 5

Over-Pressurized or Under-Pressurized Cabinets ......................................... 6

Standard Filter Class M5 (Mat or Pleated Type) ............................................ 6

Membrane Filters (HEPA Type), Filter Class E11 (EN1822) ......................... 7

Closed Loop (HEX or Air-Conditioner) Cooling .............................................. 7

Heat Exchanger (HEX) ................................................................................... 7

Air-Conditioner (ACU) .................................................................................... 8

Enclosure Material Selection Table ................................................................ 8

4. Installation in Buildings, Shelters, etc ................................................. 9

5. Humidity .................................................................................................. 9

6. Equipment Protection at Site, Before and During Installation .......... 9

7. Protection against Animals & Insects ................................................ 10

8. Follow Installation & Commissioning Guides ................................... 10

9. Adding Equipment to the Enclosure On Site .................................... 11

10. Follow the Maintenance Guide ........................................................... 12


1. Introduction

This document describes the environmental requirements & guidelines for protection of Eltek

rectifiers, inverters, controllers and other Eltek electronic devices and enclosures. The intention of

this document is to ensure that all Eltek equipment is selected, installed, operated and maintained

for maximum reliability and full utilization of the product’s lifetime and to meet the applicable

warranty terms for the products.

These guidelines are valid for Eltek employees, Eltek partner companies and customers using the

equipment. Please note that failure to follow the guidelines in this document could render the

warranty either partially, or fully void.

2. General Environmental Considerations

Eltek products are designed for storage, installation and operation in accordance with EN 60950-1 /

EN 62040-3, Pollution degree 2. In addition, the technical specification (ref. product data sheet)

limits the relative humidity in which the equipment is designed to operate to never exceed a specific

RH percentage (typically 90% RH or 95% RH) and is always non-condensing. This means the

equipment is designed to operate in environment equivalent to Pollution Degree 2 where only dry,

nonconductive pollution occurs.

When selecting the technical solution, all factors that will influence the general environmental

requirements on site must be considered. This includes, but is not limited to:

Pollution from traffic, industry or other possible sources of pollution

Salt (or other corrosive elements) due to proximity to sea or other sources

Sand, pollen, dust or other elements being part of the natural environment at or in the

proximity of the site

The full temperature range in which the equipment will operate, including the effect of

solar loading

The full humidity level range in which the equipment will operate

Seasonal weather and climatic conditions

Please, note that the reliability and lifetime of electronics depend heavily on the total load of

contaminations, humidity and temperature in which the equipment is operating. Contaminations,

humidity and constant operation in high temperature will (separately or combined) decrease product

reliability and lifetime. For further details refer to chapter 3 and 5.

Eltek strongly recommends that all these factors are considered when selecting the enclosure and

thermal management solution.


3. Cabinet Selection & Environmental Considerations

Eltek outdoor enclosures are designed and verified to meet these mandatory environmental criteria

including:

Dust and water: EN 60950, IP 55 or IP54

Storage: EN 300 019-1-1 class 1.3

Transport: EN 300 019-1-2 class 2.3

Operation: EN 300 019-1-4 class 4.1

Eltek Indoor enclosures are designed and verified to meet these mandatory environmental criteria:

Storage: EN 300-019-1-1 class 1.2

Transport EN 300-019-1-2 class 2.3

Operation EN 300-019-1.3 class 3.2

However, this does not mean that all cabinets can be used in any location without additional

consideration of the local environment on site. In addition to the guidelines detailed below, the

specifications referred to, and considerations detailed in chapter 2, must always be taken into

account.

Free Air Cooling (Open Loop Cooling) with Fan & Filter

Free Air Cooling (Open Loop Cooling) systems with fan and filter(s) use the ambient air to cool the

equipment inside the cabinet. This solution requires regular and thorough inspection and

maintenance, due to the fact that the filters will become clogged after sometime operation. The

filters will have to be replaced from time to time. See chapter 10 for more details. Note that

temperature inside the cabinet will be higher than ambient temperature (positive delta-T) when

using this cooling option.

Please note that a Free Air Cooling (Open Loop Cooling) system always requires a filter solution

installed that is adapted to the air contamination level on site. If installed filter solution or filter

maintenance program does not offer appropriate protection against the actual contamination level

on site, the product reliability and lifetime will most likely be significantly reduced. This due to

inefficient protection against contaminations (and in some cases humidity) and/or elevated

temperature.


Over-Pressurized or Under-Pressurized Cabinets

For Free Air Cooling (Open Loop Cooling) system, there are two options for how the ventilation

flow can be designed.

The first option is to let the fan push air into the cabinet by creating an over-pressure, by placing the

fan on the air inlet. In this way, the warm exhaust air is pushed out via air outlet openings.

The other option is to let the fan create an under-pressure (vacuum), by placing the fan on the

exhaust side of the cabinet air flow, and hence suck the air out from the cabinet.

It is important to be aware of the disadvantages and risks that under-pressurized cabinets represent.

Increased risk for water leakage, as water could be sucked in via cable inlets, etc.

Increased risk of air pollution/contaminates, as these could be sucked in as well

These risks will increase for any single major or minor opening in the cabinet due to

improper installation or wear and tear over time

Based on the above, it is Eltek’s general recommendation to design cabinets with an

over-pressurized ventilation solution. If an under-pressurized cabinet solution is being used, it is

very important to make sure that the cabinet has no openings/wholes where water and unfiltered air

could enter.

Standard Filter Class M5 (Mat or Pleated Type)

The M5 filter class was introduced in EN779:2012. The former name of this filter class was F5.

This is the recommended minimum filter class for Eltek equipment installed in outdoor cabinets or

installed in other areas exposed to contaminated air (such as industrial buildings, shelters,

basements, tunnels, etc.).

Recommended for use on sites with:

Low or normal air pollution

Low or normal humidity

No presence of salt or other corrosive elements in any form

Should not be used on sites with:

Moderate or high air pollution (due to high frequency of filter replacement or inappropriate

filtering)

High humidity (due to risk of condensation)

Locations that expose the equipment to salt or other corrosive elements (typically, coastal air

or areas where salt or other corrosive elements could come from other sources)


Membrane Filters (HEPA Type), Filter Class E11 (EN1822)

Can be an alternative (if ACU or HEX cannot be used) on sites with:

Moderate air pollution

Locations that expose the equipment to salt or other corrosive elements (typically, coastal air


Should not be used on sites with:

Locations that are exposed to high degrees of pollution, concentrations of corrosive

elements (e.g. close proximity to coastal areas or other corrosive elements) and or high

humidity

In such environments, Eltek recommends to use ACU or HEX

Closed Loop (HEX or Air-Conditioner) Cooling

Closed loop cooling systems do not use the ambient air to cool the equipment inside the cabinet;

they only circulate the internal air. The cooling of the air inside the enclosure can be done by using

either ambient air in a sealed channel (HEX) or active components (ACU). This will hence protect

the equipment inside the cabinet from a corrosive and humid environment.

Note that temperature inside the cabinet will be higher than ambient temperature (positive delta-T)

when using HEX cooling option. The ACU option can provide a lower cabinet temperature than

ambient temperature (negative delta-T).

Heat Exchanger (HEX)

Recommended for use on locations with:

Moderate to high air pollution

Locations that expose the equipment to salt or other corrosive elements (typically coastal air,


High humidity

Moderate ambient temperature

Not recommended for use on sites with:

High ambient temperature


Air-Conditioner (ACU)

Use of Air-Conditioner (ACU) provides, in most cases, the best solution in order to protect the

installed electronics against contaminated air, high temperature and high humidity, and hence

secure best possible reliability and lifetime utilization.

Recommended for use on locations with:

Moderate to high air pollution

Locations that expose the equipment to salt or other corrosive elements (typically coastal air,


High humidity (be aware of condensation risk – see chapter 5 about humidity)

Moderate to high ambient temperature

Applications where the cabinet internal temperature is required to be below ambient

temperature (negative delta-T)

Enclosure Material Selection Table

Enclosure Material Specification Recommended Use Painted, uncoated (black) steel Indoor or other protected areas

Painted, Aluzinc or galvanized coated steel Outdoor or in other exposed areas

Painted aluminium For locations that heavily expose the equipment for salt or other corrosive elements, it is Eltek’s recommendation to use painted aluminium in order to avoid any corrosion

Note: Small traces of surface rust may be visible on the cut edges of non-painted parts made of Aluzinc or pre-galvanized steel. This is a normal mechanical cutting/punching process phenomenon and will not limit the product lifetime.


4. Installation in Buildings, Shelters, etc

Installation in buildings, shelters, basements, tunnels, vessels or similar sites must be given the

same considerations as for installations in outdoor cabinets. This does not depend on whether the

equipment is installed in a cabinet or another technical construction. The specifications referred to

and considerations detailed in chapter 2 must always be taken into account.

Buildings (or other) with air condition or appropriate air filters installed offering “office

environment” (ref. EN 60950, pollution degree 2) will normally not require any additional

environmental protection, but it must always be considered if the existing solution is appropriate or

not, taking into account all the factors that could influence the environmental protection. Refer to

chapter 2 for further details.

5. Humidity

The presence of water and high humidity is an inherent problem with electronics, and should be a

significant consideration for any electrical installation. The technical specification (including

information on, but not limited to, product data sheets) limits the relative humidity in which the

equipment is designed to operate to never exceed a specific RH percentage (typically 90% RH or

95% RH) and must always be non-condensing.

It is mandatory that the technical solution, whether it is a cabinet, shelter, industrial building,

basement, tunnel, vessel or similar sites, provides an operational environment within these limits at

all times.

However, in order to create an optimal operational environment that will enhance product reliability

and lifetime, it is recommended to keep the RH below 70 % at all time. For the same reason, it is

also recommended to keep RH above 30%, in order to decrease risk of electrostatic discharge

(ESD).

6. Equipment Protection at Site, Before and During Installation

On building & construction sites, dust, pollution, humidity, etc. might be a threat to all kinds of

electrical and electronic equipment, if it is not properly protected. It is mandatory to protect Eltek

equipment against the above threats at all times during the installation and commissioning phase. It

is recommended to keep the equipment inside the original packaging material for as long as

possible. When the original packaging material is removed, other means of protecting the

equipment must be used.

Please note that damages caused by contaminations or poor handling are not covered by Eltek’s

warranty.


7. Protection against Animals & Insects

Intrusion of animals or insects is potentially a serious threat for any electrical installation. They can

cause electrical shortage, and hence produce a breakdown of components or of the complete system.

They can also reduce the ventilation by obstructing the airflow, and hence might cause overheating

and loss of functions or of the complete system.

Below you find some basic points for general consideration. The list does not cover every situation

and is the minimum to be considered. Local conditions and situations must always be taken into

consideration, and other checkpoints should be added as appropriate.

Preventing such damages includes attention to the following topics (but is not limited to):

Making sure that all cable inlets are properly sealed

Making sure that filters are properly installed and maintained

Making sure that any other opening into cabinet/enclosure/room is sealed/protected in

order to avoid intrusion from animals or insects

Please note that damages caused by animals or insects are not covered by Eltek’s warranty.

8. Follow Installation & Commissioning Guides

All Eltek equipment is electrically tested and visually inspected to secure delivery of high quality

products.

To secure a high quality product also after installation and commissioning, all equipment/cabinets

are delivered with a user manual (printed and/or electronically).

It is the customer’s responsibility that all people working on installation and commissioning have

the necessary technical knowhow and follow all the instructions in the manual. If the manual is

missing, please contact your local Eltek company.

Follow the details in the installation and commissioning guides. Also, read and follow the document

“Requirements for Surge Protection”, Eltek document number 2024623.

Please, note that failure to follow the guidelines given in this document could render the warranty

either partially, or fully void.


9. Adding Equipment to the Enclosure On Site

Some Eltek enclosures might be delivered with additional internal space, which can be used for

customer equipment. It is the customer’s responsibility that this equipment is designed for the

overall cabinet environmental specifications before integration.

Below are some basic non-exhaustive points for general consideration:

Corrosion protection of the equipment (salt, humidity, air pollution)

Temperature range of the equipment

Cooling design of equipment (airflow path and available space for airflow)

Mechanical design of equipment (mounting, shock and vibration, zone 4)

Make sure you know the maximum cooling capacity of the cabinet. Do not add more

heat load into the cabinet than the maximum capacity

The above consists of general guidelines only. A proper analyses and evaluation should be

undertaken in all cases.


10. Follow the Maintenance Guide

To ensure that the expected design lifetime of the equipment is met, and to be within the warranty

terms of the product, the owner of the equipment must adapt and follow a complete maintenance

scheme. This scheme has to be tailored to match the local site and technical solution. Eltek

recommends general maintenance minimum once a year. This recommendation does not apply for

filter maintenance (see separate section below).

All Eltek equipment is delivered with a user manual (printed and/or electronically).

It is the customer’s responsibility that all people involved in making the maintenance scheme or

doing site maintenance have the necessary technical knowhow and follows the recommendations in

the manual. Please, note that the different topics in the manual have to be tailored by the customer

to match the local site conditions. If the manual is missing, please contact your local Eltek

company.

Failure to follow Eltek’s requirements, guidelines and recommendations may invalidate any

warranty claims. Below are a few non-exhaustive points for general consideration. Please do not

limit your total evaluation to the below points.

Cabinet

Check that there are no physical damages to the exterior of cabinets (dents or scratches)

Use proper touch-up paint to repair any scratches on painted surfaces of the cabinet

Check that the door gasket has no visible damage

Check that cabinet cable entry points (bottom and/or top) are sealed

Check that the fixing bolts of the cabinet are torqued correctly

Check that the door hinges open smoothly, add droplets of oil or grease if needed

Check that there are no abnormal traces of dust or water inside the enclosure


Filter Maintenance (where applicable)

Implementation of an air filter preventive maintenance program is one of the most important factors

to protect installed equipment, keep operational cost down and to keep the equipment running.

Make sure to adapt the filter change interval to the local conditions

It is recommended to inspect frequently in the first period after installation, in order to

understand and adapt to local conditions

Dirty filters, where contaminants clearly can be seen on the inner side of the filter or

when filter clogged-alarm has been triggered, must be replaced with new filters.

Cleaning the filters in this state is not an option

Use only original filters provided by Eltek or in accordance with technical specification

supplied by Eltek

Use of non-original filters may render the warranty provided by Eltek either partially or

fully void

Read the manual or contact your local Eltek Company for further details.

Other Maintenance

Remove any leaves or other items that may block the external airflow (in/out)

Check that the fans are running without any abnormal noise

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