Filter

Abstract

Electrical equipment comprising a sealed chamber in which an electrical appliance is housed, and a multi-stage breather filter attached to the sealed chamber whereby in use heat generated by the electrical appliance causes air flow through the filter and also dries moisture collected by the filter.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] This invention relates to a filter for use with ventilated electrical equipment. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] Ventilated electrical equipment, especially lighting, suffers from the entry of moisture, dirt and corrosive chemicals into what appear to be sealed areas of the equipment. This entry causes deterioration and ultimate breakdown of the equipment. [0003] The root cause of the entry of potentially harmful fluids / contaminants is primarily the result of the expansion and contraction of air within the electrical equipment caused by changes in temperature. [0004] The process is typically illustrated with reference to FIG. 1 which is a standard light fitting. It is however understood the process is equally applicable to many other types of electrical equipment such as motors, transformers, junction boxes and cables. [0005]FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of a conventionally sealed lighting system in which enclosure E contains a light bulb L and ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

"The present invention is about a sealed chamber for electrical equipment that has a multi-stage breather filter attached to it. This filter allows air to flow through it and also dries moisture collected by the filter. The multi-stage filter has a housing with a passageway that includes a porous membrane, activated carbon, and silica gel. The passageway has an air inlet and an outlet that is connected to the electrical equipment. The technical effect of this invention is that it helps to keep the electrical equipment dry and free of moisture, which can cause damage and malfunctions."

Problems solved by technology

Ventilated electrical equipment, especially lighting, suffers from the entry of moisture, dirt and corrosive chemicals into what appear to be sealed areas of the equipment.

This entry causes deterioration and ultimate breakdown of the equipment.

The root cause of the entry of potentially harmful fluids / contaminants is primarily the result of the expansion and contraction of air within the electrical equipment caused by changes in temperature.

Four steps make up the process that can ultimately result in a failure of the light.

This process is exasperated by some still further less obvious activity, such as the air in the immediate vicinity of the light is warmed by radiated heat from the light.

This soon forms a heavy deposit of condensate collecting on the inside of the enclosure.

Electrical faults occur when the condensate or carbon deposits create alternative circuits.

In acid or salt laced air the conductivity of the trapped condensate may be several orders higher than fresh water, thus further contributing to breakdown of the electrical system.

This is not always possible particularly where the equipment has to be readily dismantled for service.

Images