Sun Shade Protection

No.

The IP and NEMA ratings don't spec or protect against the radiant heat from the sun.

You don't say where this project is located. I work in the desert where temperatures can get to 125 Deg F (in the shade!). If the cabinet holding my PLCs and instrumentation aren't shaded, I have seen it reach 160 Deg F inside the enclosure. Not good, since the PLCs and radio modems die at 140 Deg F.

A sunshade is a lot cheaper than $10K-$20K of fried electronics.

If the instrument is rated is rated for IP 66 , Nema 4X, Can i Bypass these shelters??

No, that's like standing outside in the hot sun with a raincoat on. No protection.

Bear in mind that a sun shade doesn't necessary mean an enclosed shelter surrounding the enclosure being protected, it can consist of as little as a sheet of steel supported on an angle above the enclosure to block the sun (depending on the situation).

Can i Bypass these shelters??

NO!

when you say local instruments does that include only transmitters/ guages etc or does it also include PLC's etc.

For guages and others in same category no Sunshade required.

For plc's - alwyas better to have enclosures which are temperature controlled.

For transmitters it is better to have sunshades mate. Ussually good tx like Rosemount provide good lperformance even in ambient from -40 to 85 dc.

Hi all,

Sunshade is ok. The real problem is UV (Ultra violet) protection for the casing. The other problem would be solar radiation (temperature effect).

The IP/NEMA rating is only for ingress protection - not UV or temperature.

If the ambient temperature is very hot - you will have to use either sun shade or some sort of enclosure with purging for cooling.

Either way - if their specification calls for this, you cannot bypass it on IP rating or NEMA alone.

Regards,

Craig

There instrument sunshades UV resistant and fire retardant,made for yr. requirement.

I know the company BULK srl in Italy www.bulksrl.it or there are also some in Germany.

Hope this could help you

Mauro

Sun shades are often used to protect an instruments LCD display, which is vulnerable to damage from long term direct exposure to UV rays, even if temp considerations are not a problem.

Regards,

Bill