IEC 61969-1:2011

IEC 61969-1


®


Edition 2.0 2011-11



INTERNATIONAL



STANDARD



NORME
INTERNATIONALE


Mechanical structures for electronic equipment – Outdoor enclosures –
Part 1: Design guidelines

Structures mécaniques pour équipement électronique – Enveloppes de plein
air –
Partie 1: Lignes directrices pour la conception


IEC 61969-1:2011

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IEC 61969-1


®


Edition 2.0 2011-11



INTERNATIONAL



STANDARD



NORME
INTERNATIONALE


Mechanical structures for electronic equipment – Outdoor enclosures –
Part 1: Design guidelines

Structures mécaniques pour équipement électronique – Enveloppes de plein
air –
Partie 1: Lignes directrices pour la conception


INTERNATIONAL
ELECTROTECHNICAL
COMMISSION
COMMISSION
ELECTROTECHNIQUE
PRICE CODE
INTERNATIONALE
CODE PRIX L
ICS 31.240 ISBN 978-2-88912-791-7

® Registered trademark of the International Electrotechnical Commission
Marque déposée de la Commission Electrotechnique Internationale

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– 2 – 61969-1  IEC:2011



CONTENTS

FOREWORD . 3


INTRODUCTION . 5

1 Scope . 6

2 Normative references . 7


3 Terms and definitions . 8

4 Dimensions . 9

5 Environmental requirements and tests, safety aspects. 9

5.1 Classification of environmental conditions . 9
5.2 Static load . 10
5.3 Dynamic stress . 10
5.4 Seismic performance . 10
6 Electromagnetic shielding . 10
7 Thermal management and acoustic noise suppression . 11

Figure 1 – Typical outdoor enclosure . 6
Figure 2 – Locations of outdoor enclosures . 8

Table 1 – Environmental conditions . 9
Table 2 – Safety aspects . 10

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61969-1  IEC:2011 – 3 –


INTERNATIONAL ELECTROTECHNICAL COMMISSION

____________



MECHANICAL STRUCTURES FOR ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT –

OUTDOOR ENCLOSURES –



Part 1: Design guidelines





FOREWORD

1) The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) is a worldwide organization for standardization comprising
all national electrotechnical committees (IEC National Committees). The object of IEC is to promote
international co-operation on all questions concerning standardization in the electrical and electronic fields. To
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8) Attention is drawn to the Normative references cited in this publication. Use of the referenced publications is
indispensable for the correct application of this publication.
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patent rights. IEC shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.

International Standard IEC 61969-1 has been prepared by subcommittee 48D: Mechanical
structures for electronic equipment, of IEC technical committee 48: Electromechanical
components and mechanical structures for electronic equipment.
This second edition cancels and replaces the first edition issued in 1999. It constitutes a
technical revision.
The main technical changes with regard to the previous edition are as follows:
a) Addition of design guidance for thermal management and noise suppression as
thermal/noise management is often considered a basic requirement of an empty outdoor
enclosure. If thermal management components are included in the product, the
environmental impact may become the responsibility of the empty outdoor enclosure
manufacturer. Therefore the acoustic limitations shall be observed.

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Typically, the user of the empty outdoor enclosure follows the local regulatory acoustic

requirements (sound power and/or sound pressure). Acoustic measurements may be

performed on the empty outdoor enclosure fitted with thermal management components

only or, if agreed between manufacturer and user at the final stage of the application

specific installation.

b) Historically, Ed 1 intended to create a market for standardized empty outdoor enclosures

offered by multiple vendors. Detail standards such as IEC 61969-2-1 Ed 1 and IEC 61969-

2-2 Ed 1 were issued to guide users to preferred and available solutions.


However, development showed that this intend (created with user’s participation) was not
satisfying the user’s expectations.


Consequently, the detail standards IEC 61969-2-1 Ed 1 and IEC 61969-2-2 Ed 1 will be
withdrawn when IEC 61969-2 Ed 2 is issued. The IEC 61969-2 Ed 2 co-ordination dimensions
are based on IEC 60917-1. The definition outdoor cases and outdoor cabinets are merged
into the definition outdoor enclosures.
The text of this standard is based on the following documents:
FDIS Report on voting
48D/488/FDIS 48D/498/RVD

Full information on the voting for the approval of this standard can be found in the report on
voting indicated in the above table.
This publication has been drafted in accordance with the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2.
A list of all parts of IEC 61969, under the general title, Mechanical structures for electronic
equipment – Outdoor enclosures, can be found on the IEC website.
The committee has decided that the contents of this publication will remain unchanged until
the stability date indicated on the IEC web site under "http://webstore.iec.ch" in the data
related to the specific publication. At this date, the publication will be
• reconfirmed,
• withdrawn,
• replaced by a revised edition, or
• amended.

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61969-1  IEC:2011 – 5 –


INTRODUCTION


This standard is intended as a generic guide for the development of further standards. The

products covered are empty enclosures to be equipped with application-specific solutions to

be used at non-weather protected locations above ground. This standard is followed by a co-

ordination dimension standard (IEC 61969-2 Ed 2) and an environmental requirements and

tests, safety aspect standard (IEC 61969-3 Ed 2).

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MECHANICAL STRUCTURES FOR ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT –

OUTDOOR ENCLOSURES –



Part 1: Design guidelines








1 Scope


This part of IEC 61969 contains design guidelines for outdoor enclosures and is applicable
over a wide field of mechanical, electromechanical and electronic equipment and its
installation where a modular design is used. The objective of this standard is to provide an
overview of specifications for enclosures focused on requirements for outdoor applications for
stationary use at non-weather protected locations. These enclosures are considered to
contain any equipment and provide protection for the outdoor installed facilities against
unwanted environmental impacts. The installed equipment may be, but is not limited to,
subracks according to IEC 60917-2-2 or IEC 60297-3-101. A typical outdoor enclosure is
shown in Figure 1.
 Special roof for cooling-heating
 devices, for example
Subracks according to
IEC 60917-2-2 or IEC 60297-3-101
Miscellaneous devices,
for example batteries,
fans, etc.
Compartment for cabling, power

IEC  2556/11

supplies, batteries, etc.

Figure 1 – Typical outdoor enclosure

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61969-1  IEC:2011 – 7 –



2 Normative references


The following referenced documents are indispensable for the application of this document.

For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references, the latest edition

of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.


IEC 60050-581, International Electrotechnical Vocabulary (IEV) – Part 581: Electromechanical

components and mechanical structures for electronic equipment


IEC 60068 (all parts), Environmental testing

IEC 60695-11-10, Fire hazard testing – Part 11-10: Test flames – 50 W horizontal and vertical
flame test methods
IEC 60950 (all parts), Information technology equipment – Safety
IEC 60297-3-101, Dimensions of mechanical structures of the 482,6 mm (19 in) series –
Part 3: Subracks and associated plug-in units
IEC 60417, Graphical symbols for use on equipment
IEC 60529, Degrees of protection provided by enclosures (IP code)
IEC 60721 (all parts), Classification of environmental conditions
IEC 60825-1, Safety of laser products – Part 1: Equipment specification and requirements
IEC 60917 (all parts), Modular order for the development of mechanical structures for
electronic equipment practices
IEC 61010-1, Safety requirements for electrical equipment for measurement, control, and
laboratory use – Part 1: General requirements
IEC 61140, Protection against electric shock – Common aspects for installation and
equipment
IEC 61439-5, Low-voltage switchgear and controlgear assemblies – Part 5: Assemblies for
power distribution in public networks

IEC 61587-1, Mechanical structures for electronic equipment –Tests for IEC 60917 and
IEC 60297 – Part 1: Climatic, mechanical tests and safety aspects for cabinets, racks,
subracks and chassis
IEC 61587-2, Mechanical structures for electronic equipment –Tests for IEC 60917 and
IEC 60297 – Part 2: Seismic tests for cabinets and racks
IEC 61587-3, Mechanical structures for electronic equipment – Tests for IEC 60917 and
60297 – Part 3: Electromagnetic shielding performance tests for cabinets, racks and subracks
IEC 61969 (all parts) Mechanical structures for electronic equipment – Outdoor enclosures
IEC 62194, Methods of evaluating the thermal performance of enclosures
IEC 62262, Degrees of protection provided by enclosures for electrical equipment against
mechanical impacts (IK code)

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IEC 62305-4, Protection against lightning – Part 4: Electrical and electronic systems within

structures


ISO 3864, Graphical symbols – Safety colours and safety signs


ETS 300019-1-4, Equipment Engineering (EE); Environmental conditions and environmental

test for telecommunications equipment – Part 1-4: Classification of environmental conditions

Stationary use at non-weatherprotected locations

+ A1:1997


ETS 300194-2-4, Equipment Engineering (EE); Environmental conditions and environmental

tests for telecommunications equipment – Part 2-4: Specification of environmental tests
Stationary use at non-weatherprotected locations
+ A1:1997
ETS 300753, Equipment Engineering (EE); Acoustic noise emitted by telecommunications
equipment
ISO 7779, Acoustics – Measurement of airborne noise emitted by information technology and
telecommunications equipment
ISO 1518-1, Paints and varnishes – Determination of scratch resistance – Part 1: Constant-
loading method
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the terms and definitions given in IEC 60050-581 and in
the IEC 60917 series, as well as the following, apply.
3.1
outdoor enclosure
enclosure exposed to the outdoor environment, for stationary use at non-weatherprotected
locations, for the protection of electronic equipment installed inside against outdoor
environmental conditions
NOTE An outdoor enclosure is applicable for a wide field of equipment, e.g.: communication systems,
industrial/signal controls, etc. The typical installation locations are shown in Figure 2.

Wall mounted or on top of a building Pole mounted Free standing on the ground

IEC  2557/11

Figure 2 – Locations of outdoor enclosures

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61969-1  IEC:2011 – 9 –


3.2

heat transfer rate k

2
factor measured W/m K as the rate of heat transfer


NOTE Detailed calculations for the determination of the enclosure design dependent heat management properties

are described in IEC 62194.


4 Dimensions


The dimensions of outdoor enclosures consist of coordination dimensions as given in

IEC 61969-2 Ed.2.0. The coordination dimensions provide the range and systematic

stipulation of possible enclosure internal and external dimensions.
5 Environmental requirements and tests, safety aspects
5.1 Classification of environmental conditions
The classification of environmental conditions is based on requirements as defined in
IEC 60721-3-2, IEC 60721-3-4 and the tests are in accordance with the relevant parts of
IEC 60068.
The selection of relevant requirements, as indicated in Tables 1 and 2, was made with the
focus on outdoor specific conditions and, in addition on structural design and safety aspects.
The purpose of this standard is to achieve product integrity under outdoor conditions and to
ease product selection for the sourcing of outdoor enclosures from different vendors. For
details see IEC 61969-3.
Table 1 – Environmental conditions
Requirement Test specification
Temperature ETS-300019-1-4 ETS-300019-2-4 or IEC 61587-1
Humidity ETS-300019-1-4 ETS-300019-2-4 or IEC 61587-1
Atmospheric pressure ETS-300019-1-4 ETS-300019-2-4
Corrosive gases ETS-300019-1-4 ETS-300019-2-4 or IEC 61587-1
Corrosive liquids ETS-300019-1-4 ETS-300019-2-4
Solar resistance ETS-300019-1-4 ETS-300019-2-4
Biological resistance ETS-300019-1-4 ETS-300019-2-4
Protection against rodents ETS-300019-1-4 ETS-300019-2-4
and birds
Protection against insects ETS-300019-1-4 ETS-300019-2-4
and termites

Weather resistance Climatic conditions Additional IEC 60529 for tightness
Thermal management Requirements may be For thermal enclosure properties see IEC 62194
application specific
Acoustical noise ETS-300753 ISO 7779
suppression
Paint May be part of the users
specification
(colour, gloss, adhesion,
flex, For extreme conditions anti-

graffiti may be required
scratch, etc.)
ISO 1518-1, etc.
Paints and varnishes –
Scratch test
Heat transfer rate k Methods of evaluating the
thermal performance of
enclosures IEC 62194
NOTE For details about classifications of environmental conditions, see IEC 61969-3.

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Table 2 – Safety aspects

Requirement Test specification


Earth bonding The responsibility of the vendor is Using IEC 60950 and IEC 61439-5

to provide sufficient conductivity for equipped enclosure
between different parts of the

IEC 61010-1/IEC 60825-1
enclosure and means for the

earth bonding of equipment

IEC 61140

Lightning strike To be observed in the total “Earth IEC 62305-4

bonding” concept

Mechanical safety IK-Code according to IEC 62262 For testing IEC 60068-2-75
Vandalism Requirements shall be part of the Tests may be part of the vendor
vendor specification specification
Warning labels General warning, caution, risk of ISO 3864, B.3.1
danger

Caution, risk of life
ISO 3864, B.3.2
Caution, risk of electric shock
ISO 3864, B.3.6
Caution, hot surface
IEC 60417
Security, vandalism protection Requirements for the resistance of Tests may be part of the user
the enclosure and the locking specifications
devices against unauthorised
access
Flammability Material properties may be IEC 60695-11-10
specified by user

5.2 Static load
The static load capacity definition of an outdoor enclosure shall be based on the intended
transport and handling conditions as they occur at the place of erection. For safety reasons
the maximum static load should be calculated with 1,25 times of the nominal load. Outdoor
enclosures installed on ground are considered street enclosures typically for traffic controls
which need special precautions against physical impacts. Pole- and wall- mounted enclosures
may be out of the reach of persons whereas the weather impact may cause special precaution
for the stability of the installation.
5.3 Dynamic stress
Dynamic stress shall be considered during transportation, handling at the place of installation
and in respect to possible environmental impacts. If the enclosure is loaded with equipment
the maximum weight should be specified by the vendor in respect to the classification of
environmental conditions as under 5.1.

5.4 Seismic performance
In case of geographically defined earthquake zones a standard enclosure may be tested with
internal mounted dummy loads simulating the equipment and structural anchoring simulating
the place of installation. The results of such tests can be used as reference for the product
offering by a standard enclosure vendor. But it does not exempt from final equipment testing.
The test conditions are described in IEC 61587-2.
6 Electromagnetic shielding
In order to achieve electromagnetic compatibility of a final installation the enclosure may be
part of the total shielding concept. As a pre-testing the shielding performance test may be
performed in order to gain the required level of attenuation by the enclosure. The test set-up
and the test procedure are described in IEC 61587-3.

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61969-1  IEC:2011 – 11 –


7 Thermal management and acoustic noise suppression


The thermal management is the key for the survival of electronic equipment in general but

especially if exposed to the outdoor environment. The heat transfer rate k is important for

designing the outdoor enclosure because the value affects the temperature difference between inside

and outside of the enclosure. As a prime measure the design concept shall be considered for the

insulation against heat and cold from the outside environment. Next would be the measure for

the heat dissipation from the inside out and, as a precaution against low external temperature

requiring internal heating. Depending on the climate conditions and the heat generated inside

the enclosure the thermal management may be resolved by passive cooling only. In case of
exceeding temperature limits the enclosure may be fitted with active cooling devices, such as

filter fans, air to air heat exchangers or air conditioners. For selection of the suitable active

cooling the required energy consumption (cost factor and impact to the environment) and the
local noise level limits should be carefully considered (regulatory requirements in rural and
urban areas). For the method of enclosure thermal performance evaluations see IEC 62194.

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– 12 – 61969-1 © CEI:2011



SOMMAIRE

AVANT-PROPOS . 13


INTRODUCTION . 15

1 Domaine d'application . 16

2 Références normatives . 17


3 Termes et définitions . 18

4 Dimensions . 19

5 Exigences et essais environnementaux, aspects de la sécurité . 19

5.1 Classification des conditions d'environnement . 19
5.2 Charge statique . 20
5.3 Contraintes dynamiques . 20
5.4 Performance sismique . 20
6 Blindage électromagnétique . 21
7 Gestion thermique et suppression du bruit acoustique . 21

Figure 1 – Enveloppe de plein air typique . 16
Figure 2 – Emplacements des enveloppes de plein air . 18

Tableau 1 – Conditions d’environnement . 19
Tableau 2 – Conditions de sécurité . 20

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61969-1 © CEI:2011 – 13 –


COMMISSION ÉLECTROTECHNIQUE INTERNATIONALE

____________



STRUCTURES MÉCANIQUES POUR ÉQUIPEMENT ÉLECTRONIQUE –

ENVELOPPES DE PLEIN AIR –



Partie 1: Lignes directrices pour la conception





AVANT-PROPOS

1) La Commission Electrotechnique Internationale (CEI) est une organisation mondiale de normalisation
composée de l'ensemble des comités électrotechniques nationaux (Comités nationaux de la CEI). La CEI a
pour objet de favoriser la coopération internationale pour toutes les questions de nor
...