The environmental requirements for the use of street lamp controllers include the following aspects:
temperature
Generally speaking, the temperature range for the normal operation of a street lamp controller is between -20 ℃ and 60 ℃. Within this temperature range, the electronic components inside the controller can maintain stable performance. For example, in the cold winter, when the temperature approaches -20 ℃, some high-quality controllers can still work normally to ensure the normal opening and closing time control of street lights. In the hot summer, the temperature may reach a relatively high level. As long as it does not exceed 60 ℃, it is not easy to cause component damage or performance degradation due to overheating.
Exceeding this temperature range may have adverse effects on the controller. If the temperature is too low, the resistance, capacitance, and other characteristics of electronic components may change, resulting in inaccurate clock timing or abnormal control signal output. If the temperature is too high, it may accelerate the aging rate of components and even cause faults such as short circuits.
humidity
The street lamp controller is suitable for use in environments with relative humidity not exceeding 90% (no condensation). Appropriate humidity can prevent the generation of static electricity and damage to components caused by moisture. For example, in some coastal areas or humid southern cities, the air humidity is often high. If the humidity exceeds 90% for a long time, condensation may occur inside the controller. It’s like in a cold winter, when entering a warm room from the outside, water vapor will appear on the lenses of glasses. Once condensation forms inside the controller, water droplets may cause a short circuit in the circuit, rendering the controller unable to function properly.
Dust and particulate matter
The dust and particulate matter content in the surrounding environment should be low. Excessive dust accumulation may affect the heat dissipation performance of the controller. Because dust can clog the heat dissipation holes or cover the surface of components,making it difficult for heat to dissipate. Meanwhile, if the dust contains conductive substances, it may also cause circuit faults. For example, in some street light controllers installed near construction sites or on roads with high dust, appropriate protective measures need to be taken, such as installing dust covers, to reduce the intrusion of dust.
waterproof
Due to the fact that street lights are usually installed outdoors, they may be affected by rainwater, snow, and other factors. Therefore, street lamp controllers generally need to have a certain waterproof level, usually requiring IP65 or above. IP65 rating means that the controller can completely prevent dust from entering and will not be adversely affected by water splashes from any direction. For example, in rainstorm, IP65 controller can work normally without short circuit or other damage due to water ingress.
electromagnetic environment
The street lamp controller should be avoided from being installed near strong electromagnetic interference sources. For example, there are strong electromagnetic fields around large motor equipment, transformers, etc. These electromagnetic fields may interfere with the signal transmission and processing of the controller. If subjected to electromagnetic interference, the controller may produce incorrect command outputs, causing the streetlights to turn on or off abnormally. So when laying out streetlights and installing controllers, it is necessary to consider the surrounding electromagnetic environment to ensure their stable operation.
Installation location
The installation position of the street lamp controller should be appropriate. It is generally required to install in a well ventilated area, which is beneficial for heat dissipation. Meanwhile, direct sunlight should be avoided as prolonged exposure can cause the temperature of the controller casing to rise, which in turn affects the temperature of internal components and increases the risk of malfunctions. Moreover, the installation location should be convenient for maintenance and repair, so that staff can easily set parameters and troubleshoot the controller.