Hot Spots
Improving Reliability in Harsh Environments
An inspection of a panel at a customer site revealed concerning observations regarding a set of PowerFlex 700 drives that had deteriorated greatly due to excessive heat, poor air flow and heavy dust accumulation. Note the high levels of dust and the proximity of the drives to one another.
This put the customer at risk for unplanned downtime in the event that one of these drives failed. The drives were installed with less than the recommended distance between units, which reduced air flow in the cabinet. They were brittle to the touch and any work to be done on them had a great possibility of causing more damage.
As a solution, Earthbound proposed a comprehensive solution:
Improved Ventilation: Proposed installation of cooling fans and vents to enhance airflow within the panel.
Dust Mitigation: Proposed installation of high-efficiency filters and improved panel seals to minimize dust buildup.
Drive spacing optimization: Proposed relocating drives within the panel to increase drive spacing in order to improve airflow.
In a new application we would also recommend the use of a more durable drive such as the PowerFlex 755, as we have found many PowerFlex 700s to deteriorate in a similar fashion under harsh conditions.
The proposed improvements would result in reduced risk of drive failure which would improve efficiency and prevent risk of shutdowns in the future.
This case study underscores the importance of proper panel design and understanding of the environment. Earthbound’s team possesses the expertise to diagnose and solve complex electrical and automation challenges, ensuring optimal system performance and minimizing downtime.
