Enclosure Thermal Calculator

Enter your enclosure dimensions, material, installation conditions, and heat load to calculate the required heating and cooling capacity per IEC 60890.

Enclosure Dimensions & Material

External Dimensions

HeightExternal height of the enclosure in millimetres

WidthExternal width of the enclosure in millimetres

DepthExternal depth of the enclosure in millimetres

Wall MaterialEnclosure wall material — sets the thermal conductivity coefficient automatically

k-valueThermal conductivity coefficient k in W/(m²·K). Auto-filled for preset materials; editable for custom.

W/m²K

Installation Conditions

EnvironmentIndoor = standard convection factor (1×). Outdoor = increased heat exchange due to wind and solar gain (2×).

AltitudeHigher altitudes reduce air density, increasing the required airflow for cooling

Mounting PositionDetermines which faces of the enclosure are freely exposed to ambient air, affecting the effective heat transfer surface area

All six faces are exposed to ambient air. Maximum passive heat dissipation.

Heat Load & Temperature Limits

Internal Heat DissipationTotal heat output of all components inside the enclosure — drives, contactors, transformers, resistors, etc.

Heating— winter / cold site

Min. ambient tempColdest expected outdoor or ambient temperature at the installation site

°C

Desired internal minThe lowest internal temperature that must be maintained inside the enclosure

°C

Cooling— summer / hot site

Max. ambient tempHottest expected outdoor or ambient temperature at the installation site

°C

Desired internal maxThe maximum allowable temperature inside the enclosure to protect equipment

°C

Results

Enclosure surface area is sufficient for passive heat dissipation.

Required heating capacity

Heater output to maintain minimum internal temperature

Required cooling capacity

Active cooling to maintain maximum internal temperature

How it’s calculated

Wall heat transfer

Q = k × ΔT × A × f

Cooling load

Q_cool = P_diss − Q_walls

Active cooling capacity

Q_air = (Q_cool / ΔT) × C_air

f = 1 (indoor) or 2 (outdoor). C_air = altitude-adjusted air constant. Based on IEC 60890.