Thermal simulation for power equipment using natural cooling

Abstract

A model is described which simulates the thermal behavior of power equipment installed in a metal cabinet, predicting the course of the internal thermal gradient and of the convective flows in conditions of natural cooling by convection. The proposed method proceeds from the calculation of the difference in pressure which is created inside the equipment due to density variation of the air as it is heated by the energy dissipated from the various components. The behavior of the internal temperature and the thermal increase between the inflow and outflow air for different ambient temperatures can be determined by subsequent iterations. The method of calculation provides the visual graphics of the internal thermal gradient, starting with the geometrical data of the equipment and of the components with relative power dissipations.<>