IEC 62610-2:2018

Overview

IEC 62610-2:2018 is an international standard developed by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) that specifies methods for the determination of forced air cooling in electrical and electronic equipment cabinets. This standard focuses on mechanical structures designed according to the IEC 60297 and IEC 60917 series, providing a compatible approach for thermal management, particularly for cabinets assembled with subracks and chassis.

With increasing power dissipation in devices such as servers and telecommunication equipment, effective thermal management through forced air cooling has become essential to safeguard performance and reliability. IEC 62610-2:2018 addresses this need by detailing thermal interface parameters and compatible forced airflow conditions, enabling designers and integrators to optimize cooling within electronic cabinets.

Key Topics

• Thermal Interfaces of Equipment
  The standard defines essential thermal parameters for subracks and chassis installed in cabinets. These include:

  • Reference temperature points for thermal measurement
  • Preferred airflow direction and patterns
  • Required airflow volume to achieve effective cooling
  • Standard air conditions used as a baseline for cooling performance

• Forced Air Cooling Methods
  IEC 62610-2 outlines procedural steps to evaluate and establish appropriate forced airflow conditions for cabinets housing subracks and chassis, ensuring compatibility between the different components within the cabinet system.

• Cabinet Airflow Management
  Guidance is provided on the arrangement of cabinet components to avoid airflow imbalances that can lead to inadequate cooling or increased intake air temperatures caused by recirculation of exhaust air from adjacent equipment.

• Thermal Operating Environment
  The standard addresses factors in the operating environment such as airflow within data center aisles, temperature rise management inside cabinets, and implications of cabinet arrangement in server rooms with aisle containment.

• Thermal Design Support
  An informative annex illustrates thermal resistance and thermal network modeling techniques for assessing plug-in units, supporting the thermal design and analysis of equipment cooled by forced airflow.

Applications

IEC 62610-2:2018 is applicable where forced air cooling is essential for maintaining the safe and efficient operation of electrical and electronic equipment in cabinets. Its practical applications include:

• Data Centers and Server Rooms
  Providing guidance to data center designers and operators to configure cabinet airflow and cooling strategies that optimize component temperatures, improving reliability and reducing energy consumption.

• Telecommunication Equipment Enclosures
  Assisting equipment manufacturers and integrators in defining compatible thermal interfaces and airflow requirements for subracks and chassis within telecommunication cabinets.

• Industrial Control Cabinets
  Facilitating engineers tasked with designing control system enclosures to implement effective forced air cooling, mitigating overheating risks in dense electronic assemblies.

• System Integration
  Aligning cooling expectations between subrack/chassis designers and cabinet integrators to ensure harmonized cooling solutions, avoiding thermal conflicts arising from incompatible airflow setups.

Related Standards

• IEC 60297 Series - Defines mechanical dimensions and structures for subracks and housings used in electrical equipment, providing a foundation for cabinet design compatibility.
• IEC 60917 Series - Details mechanical mounting dimensions and structures for electronic equipment chassis and subracks, essential for equipment interoperability within cabinets.
• IEC 62610-1 - Addresses general thermal management principles for cabinets and is a companion standard complementing the forced air cooling methods in Part 2.
• Additional IEC Thermal Management Publications - Various IEC standards provide further guidance on thermal design, temperature measurement, and safety considerations, enhancing overall system reliability.

By adhering to IEC 62610-2:2018, engineers and system integrators can implement effective forced air cooling strategies to ensure optimal thermal performance of cabinet-mounted electrical and electronic equipment. This standard fosters interoperability and compatibility in cabinet thermal management, supporting advances in high-density, high-performance electronic systems.