Learn what you can do to keep custom cases cool during extreme heat.
The sensitive tools and equipment transported in custom cases are frequently vulnerable to the effects of extreme heat. During the warmer months of the year, it doesn’t take much for carrying cases or cargo areas to rise in temperature. Rackmount cases carrying electronics and other sensitive systems can particularly suffer from extreme heat. If your transit case has little ventilation, you may find parts of your equipment damaged after exposure to high temperatures. Fortunately, custom case designers like the experts at Packaging Strategies, Inc. can design temperature-controlled cases to mitigate the impact of extreme temperatures. Contact Packaging Strategies, Inc. designers to learn more about these advanced features.
The Effects of Heat on Sensitive Equipment
High temperatures pose a significant threat to sensitive equipment across all industries. What might the heat do to your equipment?
- Medical Industry: Critical devices like MRI machines and surgical instruments are prone to malfunction and degradation under excessive heat, which compromises patient care
- Military Industry: Operations rely on electronic equipment that can become inoperable or unreliable after exposure to high heat. This endangers mission success and troop safety.
- Communications: Communication systems are susceptible to heat-induced failures that can disrupt vital networks.
Thermoelectric Cooling Units
Thermoelectric cooling units can keep custom cases cool during extreme heat. These units are based on the Peltier effect, in which a temperature differential occurs when a voltage is applied across two dissimilar conductors. Thermoelectric air conditioning offers these benefits:
- No compressor
- No refrigerants
- Little to no maintenance
- There is no air exchange between the case interior and ambient air.
With no air exchange, cool air only circulates within the case’s interior. This keeps out dust, humidity, and contaminants that damage electronics and other tools.
No Ventilation Required with Thermoelectric Units
Cases equipped with thermoelectric cooling components don’t need exterior ventilation. This helps maintain the rackmount case’s IP rating (International Protection Rating or Ingress Protection Rating). The IP rating communicates the level of protection from outside contaminants, like dust.
Reverse Operation for Extreme Cold
Custom cases can stay cool not only during extreme heat but also during extreme cold. Air-conditioned cases often feature reverse operation so that you can turn a thermoelectric cooler into a heater. This prevents the sensitive equipment from freezing or being damaged from the cold.
Digital Control Systems
When shipped, sensitive equipment may be secured below ship decks or stacked within in-flight storage. This means they are not easily accessible during transportation. This is why integrated digital controllers and remote monitoring devices were created. These systems give you complete control over valuable assets and their storage conditions, even when you cannot directly access the case. This way, you don’t have to worry about your equipment during shipment, but you can know precisely what its conditions are during travel.
DEPEND ON PACKAGING STRATEGIES FOR YOUR CUSTOM PACKAGING NEEDS
Packaging Strategies has assembled a team with over 100 years of experience in design, engineering, development, manufacturing, and sales. We created the Packaging Strategies Design and Technology Center to create and manufacture complete systems integration packages and container solutions of all sizes and materials for our clientele. Many of these clients are federal agencies or in the private sector. No matter what you need to carry, Packaging Strategies is sure to have the right case for the job. You can view our website here, and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Flickr, and LinkedIn.