Glossary · Automation fundamentals, platforms and components
Thermal management
Also known as: Heat management, Cooling concept
German: Thermisches Management
In electrical and automation engineering, thermal management is the design and operation of measures that keep the temperatures of components, control cabinets and machines within permissible limits, such as heat dissipation calculation, ventilation, cooling units, heat sinks, derating and temperature monitoring.
- Automation components
In one sentence
Thermal management keeps components, cabinets and machines within temperature limits through heat calculation, cooling, derating and monitoring.
Example
The heat loss calculation for the cabinet shows 850 W at 35 °C ambient, so a cooling unit replaces the originally planned filter fans.
How it applies
- Engineering: Heat loss of drives, power supplies and braking resistors is summed and compared with the cabinet's dissipation capacity (for example following IEC/TR 60890 methods). High temperatures shorten component life and reduce Reliability.
- Maintenance: Clogged filter mats and failing fans are common causes of overheating. Include them in Preventive maintenance plans and monitor cabinet temperature where possible.
- Documentation: Installation instructions state permissible ambient temperatures, required clearances for air flow and derating above certain temperatures. Hot surfaces are a Thermal hazard and need warnings in the manual and on the product.
Thermal management vs. thermal protection
Thermal management prevents overheating by design and operation. Thermal protection, such as motor thermistors or overload relays, reacts when a limit is reached. Both are needed, but protection should rarely have to act.