Computer Enclosures in a Humid Environment

Humidity can create serious challenges for computers and electronics in industrial environments. Moisture and condensation can contribute to corrosion, equipment damage, and downtime, making the right enclosure and thermal management system important when electronics are installed in humid conditions.

Protecting Electronics in Humid Environments

In many harsh, manufacturing settings, printers, computers, monitors, and electrical equipment are housed in industrial computer enclosures that are designed to protect against severe, exterior environments (humidity, water, dirt, dust). However, even in a NEMA rated enclosure, liquid can enter the enclosure under a variety of circumstances. Obviously, the goal is to keep harmful elements, like moisture or condensation, out of the enclosure!

How Does Condensation Affect Electronics Inside an Enclosure?

Condensation is defined as water which collects on a cold surface when humid air makes contact. In other words, temperature fluctuations between the inside and outside of the computer enclosure can cause condensation, which can make its way into the enclosure. 

Condensation can occur when humid air contacts a surface that is below the air’s dew point, causing moisture to form on the surface.

Any moisture can damage electronics, shorten their lifetime, and affect the performance of the internal components. When it comes to condensation, corrosion or rust are also serious concerns, which will render critical electronic mechanisms useless.

How Can Moisture Get Inside a Computer Enclosure?

Moisture can also penetrate the inside of an enclosure through various paths – door left open, a vent, defective door latch/hinge, filtered fan system, brittle gasket, or a poorly sealed cable entry point. 

Common moisture entry points can include:

• Open or improperly closed doors
• Vents and filtered fan systems
• Damaged or deteriorating gaskets
• Defective door latches or hinges
• Improperly sealed cable entry points
• Water exposure during washdown or cleaning

Plus, during a regular washdown, it is possible for the high pressure spray and cleaning solution to penetrate around the sealed enclosure doors and gaskets. 

The appropriate enclosure and NEMA rating should therefore be selected based on the actual water, moisture, cleaning, and environmental exposure expected in the application.

If the water is not detected, mold or fungi can form in small areas and become an enormous problem. In fact, according to FEMA, mold can grown quickly, “mildew and mold will develop within 24-48 hours of water exposure. Even worse, it will continue to grow until steps are taken to eliminate the source of moisture, and effectively deal with the mold problem… Molds digest organic material, eventually destroying the material they grow on, and then spread to destroy adjacent organic material.”

Managing Heat and Humidity Inside an Enclosure 

Naturally, it is advisable to install a “closed-loop” cooling solution for humid, moisture prone environments. Closed loop cooling systems are specifically designed to mount to an enclosure and remove heat, without letting outside air (or water) into the sealed enclosure. 

Closed-loop cooling can help manage enclosure temperatures without continuously introducing humid outside air into the cabinet.

The cooling performance of a closed-loop system depends on the technology being used, equipment heat load, ambient conditions, and desired internal enclosure temperature.

Cooling Systems for Humid Environments

Examples of closed loop cooling systems include air conditioners, vortex coolers and heat exchangers (heat exchangers will not cool below the ambient temperature). 

These systems usually employ a thermostat and/or humidity control for monitoring. Closed loop systems are generally “non-condensating.” The only time condensation may occur is if there is a quick and dramatic temperature fluctuation to the system (i.e. switching thermostat from 80°F to 65°F). In fact, air conditioners and vortex coolers can often work to remove moisture from the inside of the computer enclosure.

Choosing an Enclosure for a Humid Environment 

When searching for the best enclosures for a humid environment, make sure that it is built to protect against water entering the cabinet. Obviously, water has a way of getting into the tiniest spaces if not properly safeguarded! 

In humid environments, moisture may enter the enclosure when the door is minimally open for quick routine maintenance.

When selecting an enclosure for a humid environment, consider the expected moisture and water exposure, required NEMA rating, gasket and door design, cable entry points, maintenance requirements, and thermal management needs.

A properly selected and maintained enclosure can help reduce exposure to moisture and contaminants, protecting sensitive electronics and reducing the risk of unplanned downtime.

As always, downtime can be costly, so it is always prudent to keep all electronics up and running for as long as possible.

Find the Right Protection For Your Equipment 

Managing humidity requires looking at the enclosure and thermal management system together. Understanding moisture exposure, temperature changes, enclosure sealing, NEMA requirements, and equipment heat load before installation can help reduce condensation and moisture-related problems.

Need help selecting an enclosure for a humid environment? Explore our industrial computer enclosures or talk with ITSENCLOSURES about your equipment and operating conditions.