Switchgear Rooms
Impact of Uncontrolled Humidity
High humidity in a switchgear room causes several damaging effects. It results in the condensation of moisture on the switchgear surfaces when there is a sudden change in temperature due to external (weather) or internal (air conditioning) factors. The condensed moisture on the switchgear surface is detrimental. It may condense on the switchgear insulator surface, causing it to absorb moisture.
Consequences of High Humidity
Moisture causes dust particles to become sticky, forming a semi-conductive film on the switchgear surface. Additionally, if the switchgear room is near any pollutant source such as high-density traffic, sewer lines, landfill sites, or industrial processes, airborne gaseous contaminants also come into play. Corrosive gases from these pollutant sources can seep into the switchgear rooms and, along with moisture, aggravate the corrosion problem. Humidity and corrosive gases together create a creep corrosion path on the insulators.
Additional Effects
This creep path leads to ‘shorting out’, reduction in impedance, and an increase in current leakage, resulting in rusting and corrosion, short-circuiting, electrical and electronic component breakdowns, premature deterioration, and inaccurate readings. These issues, in turn, have serious consequences depending on the exact nature of the equipment housed in the enclosure.
Causes of Uncontrolled Humidity
The condensation problem is significant in high humidity zones, including coastal areas. Regardless of whether the switchgear rooms are non-air-conditioned or air-conditioned, humidity control is essential in switchgear rooms. Unfortunately, the entire switchgear needs to be replaced once it is damaged due to short-circuiting. This leads to substantial financial loss, as these are high-value equipment. Additionally, there could be revenue loss due to a system outage.
Recommendation
To prevent corrosion, Josem recommends:
● Maintaining Specific Conditions : Control relative humidity and temperature levels to prevent products from adsorbing moisture and protect them from corrosion.
● Humidity Control Applications : Implement humidity control solutions to maintain an environment conducive to corrosion prevention, particularly in areas without coincidental temperature control.
Solution
Josem Solution
Josem offers advanced humidity control solutions to combat excess humidity and prevent corrosion in semiconductor manufacturing environments. Our Desiccant Dehumidifiers can maintain relative humidity as low as 1% or lower, ensuring optimal conditions for production.
Conclusion
Corrosion due to uncontrolled humidity poses significant challenges to industries, leading to financial losses and compromising product quality. With Josem’s innovative humidity control solutions, manufacturers can mitigate the risks associated with excess humidity, ensuring the integrity and reliability of their products. Josem remains committed to delivering reliable and efficient solutions to address the unique needs of semiconductor manufacturing and other industries vulnerable to corrosion.
