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Home / Technical Articles / What affects the operating temperature within LV switchgear

Maximum ambient condition

BS EN 60439 states a maximum indoor ambient temperature of 40ºC, a maximum daily average of 35ºC and a minimum ambient of -5ºC. As a general guidance rule, the temperature within the low voltage switchgear should not exceed 50/55ºC. If Switchroom (or plant) room ambients are typically considered to be up to 25°C this relates to a 25/30K rise above ambient.

What affects the operating temperature within LV switchgear
What affects the operating temperature within LV switchgear (photo credit: Edvard CSANYI)

In the maximum ambient condition of 40ºC, this relates to a 10/15K rise above ambient. Natural ventilation facilities will be required in the design of the switchboard to ensure the maximum internal temperature is not exceeded.

The sources of heat within the low voltage switchgear will be:

  1. Heat liberated by the copper-work and cabling.
  2. Heat liberated by the devices.
  3. Heat liberated by eddy currents and magnetic losses.

A LV switchgear accommodates a number of devices in a configuration that relates to the scheme requirements. The enclosure and compartments within it provide the operating environment for each device.

Most devices e.g. circuit breakers, fuse switches, contactors etc. have been Type Tested in free air or “other enclosures”.

When enclosed within an LV switchgear compartment the heat liberated may adequately dissipate by convection and radiation from the “walls” of the enclosure and by heat sink via the conductors. It may however be necessary to assist the liberation to atmosphere by forced ventilation.

LV switchgear compartments (photo credit: Eaton)
LV switchgear compartments (photo credit: Eaton)

Devices, which invariably require such measures, have by experience been found to be:

  • ACB’s above 2,500A
  • PFC Capacitor Banks
  • Variable Speed Drives
  • Motor Starting Resistors
  • Power Transformers

Natural ventilation via louvres and/or mesh screens are the simplest and most cost effective measure of controlling temperature rise provided that I.P. ratings are agreed with the client.

The problems arising from eddy currents and magnetic losses are generally overcome by common good practice in the selection of appropriate non-ferrous materials and the avoidance of ferrous metal “magnetic loops” being created in structures in close proximity to conductors or groups of conductors where phase/neutral balance may not prevail.


The subject of these sources of heat is often considered as one but is in fact two separate issues.

Eddy Current heating results from the I2R losses of induced currents circulating in metalwork, which is not part of the defined conductor system. The use of non magnetic, low resistance materials such as Aluminium and Brass for single core cable gland plates and equipment mounting back plates (e.g. for circuit breakers above 630A) will reduce this source of heat and is advisable.

Typical hysteresis loop and magnetic domain morphology og ferromagnetic materials
Typical hysteresis loop and magnetic domain morphology og ferromagnetic materials (illustration credit: electronenergy.com)

Magnetic Heating results from the energy dissipated through each cycle of magnetization and de magnetization of a ferrous material (hysteresis loss) and relates to the metalurgical specification of the material used.

Both these issues and the losses associated with them are frequency related and will be adversely affected at frequencies above the fundamental (50Hz).

Ferrous metal “magnetic loops” around single conductors or groups of conductors that do not produce a magnetic nil balance can bring about additional problems to those mentioned above by virtue of the fact that currents are circulating in metallic structures and joints in them that are not designed as conductor systems. These currents can be of extremely high magnitude, particularly during short-term load inrush transients and during short circuit conditions.

Such high current circulations through joints in the structures can result in arcing / sparking at such joints. The arcing can produce an ionised gaseous state in a region close to the main conductors / busbars and precipitate a most catastrophic flashover and destructive failure in this zone of the switchboard.

In situations where mechanical support is required between conductors, non-magnetic materials and sometimes non-metallic materials, have to be applied.

Forced ventilation with fans
Forced ventilation with fans

Forced ventilation via fan(s) will have to be considered if natural ventilation will not adequately maintain an acceptable environment for the device(s). Fans should be arranged to provide positive pressure (blowing in at low level) with exhaust air discharging at high level.

It is generally advisable to use fans with integral louver/filter housings regardless of the I.P. requirements.

In situations where the I.P. rating of fan ventilated systems is not acceptably high enough or the temperature rise cannot be adequately controlled by this method – Refrigerated (A/C) cooling techniques must be employed.

Anti-condensation control may have to be incorporated either resulting from specified requirements or if the operating environment requires it. This may be catered for by thermostatically controlled heaters and/or ventilation.

Special anti-condensation paint on internal surfaces is also effective in some cases.

Reference: Technical Considerations in the Specification of LV Switchboards – AF SWITCHGEAR & CONTROL PANELS LIMITED

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author-pic

Edvard Csanyi

Electrical engineer, programmer and founder of EEP. Highly specialized for design of LV/MV switchgears and LV high power busbar trunking (<6300A) in power substations, commercial buildings and industry facilities. Professional in AutoCAD programming.

5 Comments


  1. riza
    Nov 14, 2017

    How to calculated air flow to maintain 40degree inside panel..


  2. Georgi
    Mar 29, 2017

    Isn’t it more correct ot reffer these to IEC(EN) 61439, not ot IEC(EN) 60439?


  3. yahya khan
    Mar 28, 2017

    i need to know difference between design temperature and operating temperature in electrical equipment.
    I my equipment is having +65deg of operating temp what will be the design temperature.


  4. Mostafa
    Jan 17, 2016

    Hello Dear,

    I need IEC document number for MAXIMUM busbar temperature rise IN LV switchboard.

    can you help me?
    actually we have a project with below information :

    Icw:50 KA
    VOLTAGE:415 VAC
    AMBIENT TEMPERATURE:50 C
    BUSBAR CURRENT:1600
    IP:42

    BUSBAR WITH 2*50*10 CROSS SECTION IS SUFFICIENT OR NO?

    THANKS


    • Prasanna
      Jul 27, 2019

      As per IEC temperature rise allowed is 90 degree over 45 degree ambient so total allowed temperature is 135 degree centigrade. However you have to refer maximum allowable temperature at Switchgear contacts in Switchgear (ACB, MCCB) manufacurer catalogues, temperature rise must not go beyond their stated limit, The busbars sleeve if you are using also must sustain the temperature. In your case 2x50x10 copper busbars are enough as per my knowledge if IEC rule followed. If temperature rise is only 40 degree over 50 degree ambient then I suggest to use 2x60x10 Copper busbars.

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