Using VSDs outdoors? Avoid IP ratings you don't need

摘要

HVAC contractors and consultants sometimes specify IP ratings of IP65 or higher for variable-speed drives used outdoors, but a high IP rating is not the same as "weatherproof", as ABB's Carl Turbitt explains. Variable-speed drives and the elements don't usually mix, so when it comes to installing VSDs in outdoor areas where they might be exposed to the weather, there are two generally accepted methods for protecting a drive: ensuring that it has a suitable IP (ingress protection) rating; or placing the drive in an enclosure with a suitable IP rating.