Abstract :
The problem is to determine the effect of altitude in increasing the temperature rise of electrical apparatus. Stated in detail, heat is dissipated from the various surfaces of apparatus principally by convection and radiation. The former is a function both of temperature rise and of air density, that is, of altitude; the latter, of temperature rise only. The energy loss in the apparatus, that is, the heat to be dissipated, is not changed significantly by altitude. Thus, lower air density at higher altitude means decreased convection. Hence, higher temperature, which increases both convection and radiation, is required to carry off the same heat. Specifically, then, the problem is to relate these several factors so that quantitative calculations can be made for various types of apparatus.