IP 65 rated enclosure with heat dissipation

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the challenges of designing an IP65 rated enclosure for electronic components that can effectively dissipate heat while preventing overheating during operation. Participants explore materials, design considerations, and potential solutions for outdoor wall-mounted applications.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Exploratory

Main Points Raised

  • One participant inquires about the feasibility of using a die-cast aluminum enclosure without holes or cutouts for heat dissipation, expressing concerns about overheating and the need for a silicone cover to prevent burns.
  • Another participant suggests that if the heat sink is too hot, insulating it would exacerbate the issue, recommending either increasing the size of the heat sink or using a well-ventilated stand-off enclosure.
  • A later reply reiterates the need for ventilation and raises concerns about accessibility for installers needing to open the enclosure without risking burns.
  • One participant proposes that a larger enclosure may be necessary if ventilation is not possible, mentioning methods to inject air for cooling.
  • Another participant discusses the design of a solar inverter that includes a touchscreen display, weighing the pros and cons of using aluminum versus glass reinforced plastic for the enclosure.
  • One contributor notes that the surface temperature is determined by power dissipation, suggesting that increasing the size of the enclosure is essential for reducing temperature.
  • Another participant recommends thermally bonding hot components to the opposite side of the touchscreen and insulating behind it to protect users from heat.
  • A different viewpoint suggests eliminating the touchscreen altogether by adding Bluetooth functionality to allow control via a mobile app.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express multiple competing views regarding the best approach to heat dissipation and enclosure design, with no consensus reached on a single solution. Various strategies are proposed, but the discussion remains unresolved.

Contextual Notes

Limitations include the lack of specific information about the power dissipation characteristics of the components and the environmental conditions the enclosure will face. The discussion also highlights the dependence on material properties and design choices.

Hoya
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Hi there!

Is there any ip65 rated enclosure material with electronic components inside but with no holes/cutouts that can act as a heat sink without overheating while the product is operating?

Enclosure will need to be wall-mounted outdoors, it could be made out of die-cast aluminium which acts as a heat sink but the problem is that it will overheat so it may have to require some silicone cover to prevent people from burning their hands when touching it during hot temperatures.

Is there another way of solving this issues without changing material, or is glass reinforced plastic enclosure with aluminium heat sink inside the way to go? Cheers
 
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If heat sink is getting too hot you don't want to make the problem worse by insulating it . If you have plenty of room just make the heat sink bigger or fix the existing heat sink to another larger one .

Otherwise put it in a well vented stand off enclosure . Basically put a bird cage around it .
 
Nidum said:
If heat sink is getting too hot you don't want to make the problem worse by insulating it . If you have plenty of room just make the heat sink bigger or fix the existing heat sink to another larger one .

Otherwise put it in a well vented stand off enclosure . Basically put a bird cage around it .

Putting it into a well-vented stand off enclosure might be better as making the heat sink bigger increases the cost and weight of the product. On the other hand, the top lid of the aluminium enclosure might still need to be opened if the product is not functionally properly and the installer wants to check inside to fix it.

How can an installer or electrician open the enclosure with burning his/her hands? Would a silicone door handle work?
 
You may have to bite the bullet and just buy a MUCH bigger enclosure (an IP65 enclosure indicates you need to protect from the environment and high pressure water). If you can't ventilate as suggested, you may need to provide air for cooling (there are ways to inject air and exhaust the heat via venting). Without more information, we are simply speculating on your problem.
 
CalcNerd said:
You may have to bite the bullet and just buy a MUCH bigger enclosure (an IP65 enclosure indicates you need to protect from the environment and high pressure water). If you can't ventilate as suggested, you may need to provide air for cooling (there are ways to inject air and exhaust the heat via venting). Without more information, we are simply speculating on your problem.

Basically I'm trying to design a solar inverter which contains printed circuit board with electronic components and electromagnetic interference filter inside and LED touch screen display that is going to go on the top lid of the enclosure. If I use a die-cast aluminium enclosure then I do avoid having to put a heat sink inside the enclosure as the aluminium enclosure can acts as a heat sink. However, since the aluminium get very hot it means that that anyone who touches the touchscreen will burn their hands. The alternative is to use a glass reinforced plastic enclosure and add a heat sink inside the enclosure, but this adds weight and costs.
 
Hoya said:
However, since the aluminium get very hot it means that that anyone who touches the touchscreen will burn their hands. The alternative is to use a glass reinforced plastic enclosure and add a heat sink inside the enclosure, but this adds weight and costs.
The surface temp is defined by the power dissipation of the enclosure so will be the same regardless of it's material.
As others have mentioned, you need to increase size to reduce temp.
 
Almost everyone has some sort of computer screen carried around on their person. Add Bluetooth and make an app. No touchscreen necessary.

BoB