Shelter & Environment Failures
Analyzers are precision instruments, but they are often installed in harsh industrial environments without adequate protection. Poor shelters silently shorten analyzer life and reliability.
Field reality:
If the shelter is wrong, even the best analyzer will fail.
Typical Symptoms
- Random analyzer resets or reboots
- Frequent electronic board failures
- Sensor drift without process change
- Seasonal failures (summer / monsoon / winter)
- High maintenance frequency with no clear cause
Common Environmental Causes
- High ambient temperature exceeding analyzer limits
- High humidity and condensation inside enclosures
- Dust ingress due to poor sealing
- Vibration from nearby rotating equipment
- Corrosive atmosphere (H₂S, acid fumes, ammonia)
- Unstable or poor-quality power supply
Frequent Shelter Failure Modes
- Overheating: electronics drift, sensors age faster
- Condensation: short circuits and corrosion
- Dust loading: fans clog, cooling fails
- Vibration: loose connections, cracked solder joints
- Corrosion: terminal and connector degradation
Correct Troubleshooting Order
1) Measure actual shelter temperature & humidity
2) Inspect enclosure sealing, gaskets, and filters
3) Verify shelter ventilation / AC operation
4) Check grounding and power quality
5) Inspect for vibration and mechanical stress
6) Only then troubleshoot analyzer electronics
Common Design & Installation Mistakes
- Using non-air-conditioned shelters in hot climates
- No humidity control or heaters
- Improper cable gland sealing
- Installing analyzers near vibration sources
- Ignoring hazardous area and corrosion class
Best Practices
- Design shelter based on worst-case environment
- Maintain positive pressure and clean air
- Monitor temperature and humidity continuously
- Isolate analyzers from vibration
- Treat the shelter as part of the analyzer system