I am using SSR's for the first time. One for the boil element and one for the HLT. I have a 12x12 PVC box to mount everything in. Do I NEED to vent the box? How much heat do these things generate?
I dont really want the sinks hanging out of the box. The heat sinks are meant to mount on DIN rails so I assume they are meant to mount inside an enclosure. I guess I will put in a computer fan and vent. Will they actually fail from excessive heat?
I think it also depends on the size of the enclosure and backplate. My box is larger (16 X 20). I have two 40 amp SSRs mounted on generous heat sinks which are in turn mounted on the backplate. I have no air circulation or ventilation. My enclosure never even gets warm. My enclosure is metal and this will also conduct heat which aids in dissipation.
If you use a fan and vent the box you'll probably be OK. I was stating that if you put the heat sinks inside the box without ventilation, then you'd have a problem.
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