industrial heaters

[Sparky 63]

Evening All,
can anyone advise of the best means of electrically heating an a large area 50x30ft, containing electrical control panels , the aim to prevent any moisture ingressing the electrical equipment( motor pumps etc.

Thanks

 

[Marvo]

Are you thinking about heating the entire area? You could end up with a hole in the ozone layer named after you Why not just use a small DIN mounted heater in each panel.

 

[VoltzElectrical]

Gas? Bonkers to heat an area like this electrically.

 

[VoltzElectrical]

Thinking about it, control the humidity in the surrounding air using an extract/ intake system incorporating heat recovery.

 

[Marvo]

Here's a link to the kind of heaters we use in enclosures. Buy Enclosure Heaters Enclosure Heater, 30W, 110 ? 240 V ac/dc DBK Enclosures Nimbus D65, 370177,01 online from RS for next day delivery.

If you really want to reduce the humidity then rather than heating, go with an air conditioner with an oversized evaporator and the highest Td possible across the coil which will be an efficient dehumidifier.

 

[Marvo]

Gas? Bonkers to heat an area like this electrically.

Problem with gas is that H2O is produced as a by product of combustion so it's likely to increase the relative humidity as well as warm up the space. As soon as the temperature drops again to ambient there will be condensation everywhere.

 

[Deleted member 72666]

Garage dehumidifier.
Edit:
Cheap to purchase and running costs are very low in comparison to heating.

Linky:http://www.dry-it-out.com/mitsubishi-MJ-E20BG-E1-dehumidifier

 

[VoltzElectrical]

Problem with gas is that H2O is produced as a by product of combustion so it's likely to increase the relative humidity as well as warm up the space. As soon as the temperature drops again to ambient there will be condensation everywhere.

Of course. i was thinking of the high bay heaters used in garages etc..

I've not come across the heaters you mentioned, I will have a look now.

TBH it's why I posted my second opinion on the problem.

 

[Knobhead]

I’ve got to agree with Marvo, install local panel heaters. But be sure to ventilate the panels otherwise the panels will be wet through.

 

[Knobhead]

I must be ill, I’ve given Marvo two likes in one thread!

 

[Sparky 63]

Thanks Gents for all your comments and advice.

Sparky 63

 

[Marvo]

I must be ill, I’ve given Marvo two likes in one thread!

Jeeez, this agreeing with Marvo is gonna have to stop, it's bad for your rep.

 

[Engineer54]

I don't think i've seen any switchboards, MDB's or other electrical panels of any consequence not to be spec'd and provided with panel heaters. All run through a thermostat to ensure the enclosure doesn't drop below a preset temperature!! Can't ever remember having to retrofit a panel heating system before, but then i guess i wouldn't expect to, on the sort of projects i work on...

 

[plugsandsparks]

Problem with gas is that H2O is produced as a by product of combustion so it's likely to increase the relative humidity as well as warm up the space. As soon as the temperature drops again to ambient there will be condensation everywhere.

For that size, if you have gas, fit a warm air heater that has flue to outside, you have to use a flue on those anyway, then all the water vapour goes outside. Plugs and Sparks Ltd does a good line in these heaters if anyone is interested..

 

[Deleted member 26818]

I can't say I've ever had a problem keeping panels warm.
Trying to keep them cool on the other hand, that's another question.