Cleaning an electronic cabinet or unit
If an electronic cabinet has been exposed to salt atmosphere, it must be thoroughly cleaned both internally and externally to prevent corrosion.
Prerequisites
In order to clean an electronic cabinet or unit, you will need relevant tools and detergents. You will also need some amount of desiccant material.
Procedure
1 Wipe off the external surfaces of the unit using a damp lint free cloth and a mild detergent.
Note
Do not use excessive amounts of water. The unit may not be water tight.
2 On completion, dry the unit thoroughly.
3 Inspect all surfaces for signs of corrosion, flaking, bubbling paint, stains etc.
4 Clean damaged or suspect areas, prepare and preserve these areas using the correct preservation mediums.
5 Open the unit.
6 Use a dedicated vacuum cleaner with an anti static nozzle to remove all dust from inside the unit.
Note
Use extreme care with delicate circuit boards and units. Make sure that these are not damaged in the process.
7 Wipe clean all exposed cables, and check for damage.
If a cable shows signs of wear or ageing, contact Kongsberg Maritime for advice.
8 Check if the unit contains batteries.
If the unit contains batteries, these may discharge slowly during storage. If the unit is to be stored for an extended period, disconnect or remove all internal batteries.
A suitable piece of insulating material can be placed between the battery and the electrical contacts to prevent electrical discharge. The battery can then remain in the unit, reducing the risk of it being misplaced during the storage period.
Caution
Units containing lithium or alkaline batteries must be handled separately and with care. Such units are marked accordingly. Do not attempt to recharge such batteries, open them, or dispose of them by incineration.
Refer to the applicable product data sheets or battery handling procedures for further details.
9 Place a suitably sized bag of desiccant material (silica gel or similar) into the unit to keep the electronic components as dry as possible.
10 Close the cabinet firmly before storage and/or shipment.
11 Secure and protect loose parts (shock absorbers, plug and sockets, protruding objects etc).
12 If the electronic cabinet shall be sent to storage or shipped, spray it externally using a corrosion inhibitor (for example a light oil) prior to packing.