As a core component of industrial equipment, the seismic design of the electronic control system box directly affects the stability and reliability of the equipment in extreme environments such as earthquakes. Its seismic design requires comprehensive consideration from multiple dimensions, including structure, materials, installation, connections, internal layout, testing and verification, and maintenance management, to form a complete protection system.
The core of structural design lies in enhancing overall rigidity. The frame of the electronic control system box should preferably adopt a triangular stable structure, dispersing seismic energy through the natural stability of its geometry. For the box material, high-strength steel is the preferred choice, as its impact resistance and toughness can effectively resist the impact of seismic waves. Simultaneously, the bottom of the box should be equipped with anti-vibration pads or seismic isolation supports, absorbing vibration energy through elastic elements and reducing the direct impact of earthquakes on the equipment inside. For example, rubber seismic isolation pads can dissipate energy through their own deformation, while metal spring seismic isolators achieve vibration reduction through the conversion of elastic potential energy.
The rationality of the installation method is a key aspect of seismic design. During box installation, the strength of bolts or welds must meet seismic requirements to ensure that they do not loosen or fall off during vibration. Wall-mounted enclosures must have their bottoms firmly secured. If the bottom load-bearing capacity is insufficient, seismic supports or connectors should be added at appropriate locations within the enclosure. For floor-standing enclosures not mounted against a wall, the bottom should be fixed to the structural layer using anchor bolts or embedded parts. For higher seismic intensity, multiple enclosures can be connected above the center of gravity to enhance overall stability. Furthermore, wall-mounted enclosures must be connected to the wall using metal expansion bolts to avoid connection failure due to the use of ordinary expansion bolts.
Optimizing the internal layout can significantly improve seismic performance. The installation of components must consider their interaction with the supporting structure to prevent displacement or damage due to vibration. Flexible connections, such as flexible cables or corrugated pipes, should be used between components to reduce stress concentration in rigid connections during vibration. Wiring points must be vibration-damped, such as using vibration-damping clamps or insulating sleeves, to prevent wires from being damaged by vibration and friction. Heavier components, such as transformers and capacitors, require individual reinforcement, with their movement limited by dedicated brackets or limiters to prevent enclosure tipping due to a shift in the center of gravity. The design of connectors must balance strength and flexibility. High-strength connectors ensure the structural integrity of all components within the enclosure during vibrations, while flexible connections absorb some vibrational energy, reducing the impact force transmitted to the equipment inside. For example, when cable trays and cable troughs cross seismic joints, expansion joints should be installed on both sides and connected with flexible pipe joints to prevent pipe rupture due to structural deformation. Furthermore, when laying electrical conduits, metal conduits or rigid plastic conduits must be fixed with rigid brackets, and expansion joints should be installed at regular intervals on straight sections to accommodate displacement changes during vibrations.
Testing and verification are indispensable parts of seismic design. Simulated earthquake tests can evaluate the enclosure's performance under different earthquake magnitudes, verifying whether the design meets seismic requirements. Tests include structural strength, connection stability, and the seismic resistance of components. Test results provide a basis for design optimization. For example, if a component is found to loosen under a specific earthquake magnitude, its fixing method should be strengthened or its materials replaced.
Maintenance and management are crucial to ensuring the long-term effectiveness of seismic performance. Regularly inspect the enclosure's seismic performance, including the tightness of connectors, the aging of anti-vibration pads, and component displacement, to promptly identify and address potential hazards. Replace any aged or damaged components immediately to ensure the enclosure is always in optimal seismic condition.
