Feature Enclosures & air movers Latching on to energy efficiency I
n the air conditioning sector, energy efficiency and optimised operational performance are key requirements, particularly in service buildings such as hospitals. Users of air condi- tioning are now faced with the need to have equipment that complies with Part L Building Regulations and provides cost savings through efficiency. One area of concern is air leakage from HVAC enclosures, and to coun- teract this the equipment needs to be as airtight as possible – with the current industry standard being DW 143 Class B 1000 Pascal.
When AHS, a manufacturer of bespoke air handling equipment – pri- marily HVAC enclosures – pressure tested its air handling units, it discov- ered that the major cause of air leakage was via the sealing of the enclosure doors. The primary reason was that the latches available at the time failed to properly engage and provide sufficient compression to seal the gasket on the thick door of the cabinets.
Having discovered the major cause of air leakage was via the sealing of the doors on its HVAC enclosures, one UK manufacturer turned to Southco. A modified compression latch provided the ideal solution
To overcome this problem, the company turned to Southco, which modified its standard E3 Vise Action compression latch and provided addi- tional thread to allow the engagement of the nut at the rear of the latch, accommodating tight compression for up to 50mm thick doors.
According to Ulrike Sturman of Southco, the ‘vise action’ design of this latch ensures secure closure in applica- tions where vibration, sealing and quality are paramount. He said: “Its
A modified version of the E3 Vise Action compression latch was used by AHS
smooth operation aligns the pawl behind the frame and draws it up tight with a single continuous half-turn motion. Its compression action provides consistent 6.4mm pull-up for environmental sealing in gasketed applications, and helps reduce or eliminate noise and rattles caused by vibration. Over-centre latching resists accidental opening due to shock or vibration.”
AHS applies very strict air leakage tests to its equipment: while the industry standard is Leakage Class B 1000 Pascal, its equipment achieves Leakage Class C 1500 Pascal as a mini- mum. For some applications, however, the company has achieved Leakage Class D 2500 Pascal. Subject to the same rigid test conditions, the E3 com- pression latch has successfully passed the Class D rating.
Southco T: 01905 346500
Enter 244
Eurocard housings • hand-held enclosures • instrument cases • desktop units Classic brands: Veronex • IBX • Idas • Apollo • Flip-top • Patina • General Purpose
electronic enclosures
key applications Eurocard housings hand-held equipment desktop units instrument cases optional IP sealing EMC/RFI versions functional and elegant full range of accessories factory modifi cation service
Hand-held Hand-held Instrument case In tnstrument cat ase Wall mount Wall l mountun Desk top De esk top p Aluminium Aluminium mi Hand-held Ha d he and-held Desk top
To order standard products online 24/7 for ex-stock despatch:
www.verodirect.com In-house modifi cation capability includes drilling, milling, laser cutting, profi ling and printing. For low cost rapid enclosure and panel customisation to your drawings, ask us for a quotation. 01489 776933 •
sales@verotech.co.uk •
www.verotl.com
Design Solutions MARCH 2011 Instrument case Instrum ment cas se Enter 34
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