EXAIR‘s Air Amplifiers are a great option for cooling and drying applications. In this video blog I demonstrate how effective they are at fume exhaustion as well: If you would like to discuss whether an… More
Cabinet Cooler Systems Protect Against Heat Related Failure
Electricity generates heat — there’s no way around it — and heat is bad for electrical and electronic components. Studies show that an 18°F (10°C) rise in operating temperature will cut the average reliability of typical modern electronic components in half. If you’re concerned about the reliability of your equipment, it stands to reason that you should have that same level of concern for what’s protecting it.
Fans in the panel walls that pull outside air through are a cheap & easy way to provide a cooling airflow for the components inside. They work just fine as long as the fan is properly sized, AND the environment is clean enough (remember, anything in the air is going to get inside your panel), AND the ambient temperature doesn’t get too high. Filtering the air being pulled in can help with contamination, but you have to keep an eye on the filter to make sure it doesn’t get clogged. And, in humid areas, fans will draw that humidity (and the potential for condensation) right past all those current carrying devices.
Panel air conditioners are one of the most common methods when fan cooling won’t cut it for any of the above reasons. They solve the problem of humidity, but their cooling capacity is reduced by elevated ambient temperatures. Environmental contaminants can clog the filters and foul the coils, so keeping up on their cleaning & maintenance is crucial.
Heat exchanger type (air-to-air or air-to-water) panel coolers are also subject to failure if they’re not properly maintained. Air-to-water types rely on a refrigerant powered chiller for the water, which has the same drawbacks as a panel air conditioner. It just may not be in proximity to the panel.
Vortex Tube products, like EXAIR’s Cabinet Cooler Systems, have no moving parts to wear or electric motors to burn out. They just need a source of clean compressed air, and they’ll run darn near indefinitely, maintenance free. That’s really all you have to do to prevent their failure — and the failure of the electrical and electronic components in the panel they’re installed on.
If you have an electrical panel with critical equipment in it, you’ve got a lot of options for heat protection. If you want the most durable & reliable method, you’re looking for an EXAIR Cabinet Cooler System. We can help get you the one you need with just a few key pieces of data. You can even use that data to select the right one yourself. If you’d like to find out more, give me a call.
Russ Bowman, CCASS
Application Engineer
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Press Release: New Air Holster Safety Air Gun Mount
EXAIR has introduced the Model 5930 Air Holster, which offers a practical solution for securely storing Safety Air Guns at various workstations within a facility. This innovative product ensures that operators have a designated spot for their airguns when not in use, thereby reducing the likelihood of misplaced tools and promoting a more organized and efficient work environment. Its thoughtful design makes it particularly suitable for manufacturing, assembly, maintenance, and other industrial settings where Safety Air Guns are commonly utilized.
The Air Holster is designed to firmly attach to any robust magnetic surface, enabling users to swiftly access their tools during the workday. With its full-length front opening, it allows for the easy retrieval and replacement of longer tools and air guns after use. This holster offers reliable storage solutions for demanding industrial settings, presenting an effective method to enhance organization and efficiency in proximity to machinery such as mills, lathes, and cutoff saws.
EXAIR has expanded its range of accessories with the introduction of the Air Holster, enhancing the versatility and convenience of its Safety Air Guns. This new accessory complements existing offerings such as extension pipes for accessing hard-to-reach areas, Chip Shields that safeguard operators from debris, and flexible Stay Set Hoses designed for applications needing frequent adjustments. Additionally, EXAIR provides service kits and replacement parts to ensure the optimal performance of Safety Air Guns. The Air Holster is available for $38.
If you have any inquiries about the Air Holster, or any other EXAIR products, please feel free to contact us.
Jason Kirby
Application Engineer
Email: jasonkirby@exair.com
Twitter: @EXAIR_jk
Resources for Finding the Right Cabinet Cooler System
During the warmer weather, electrical panels will start to feel the “heat.” Freon-based coolers can be less effective in higher ambient conditions; and opening the electrical panels to have a fan blowing air inside creates a dangerous hazard. To reduce loss in production and premature equipment failures, it is important to keep electrical components cool. The EXAIR Cabinet Cooler Systems are an easy choice for consistent, long-lasting results.
Cabinet Coolers are powered by Vortex technology, which uses compressed air to generate cold air flow. They do not have any moving parts to wear. They do not require any Freon or a refrigerant compressor that can fail. They require very little to no maintenance to keep them operating for a long time. EXAIR offers a variety of types and cooling capacities to work inside some of the toughest of conditions. We range from 275 to 5,600 BTU/hr (80 – 1641 Watts) of cooling power. They are easy to install, and EXAIR has several ways that can help you start using our Cabinet Cooler Systems.
At the start, we do have a Cabinet Cooler Sizing Guide to help determine the total heat load. This can be sent to us for calculations and recommendations. We also have a Cabinet Cooler System Calculator on our website if you wish to tackle this yourself.
EXAIR does an excellent job of helping our customers purchase a Cabinet Cooler System. We use multiple methods to make sure that you are getting the correct information and the best out of our system. So, if it is your first time ordering a system, here are some areas to help you quickly and easily install your new unit.
We have our Installation Guides on our website for instructions and troubleshooting. If you are more visual, like I am, we also have informal videos to give some tips and tricks. Here is a list:
How to install a Cold Air Distribution Kit
The Electronic Temperature Controller upgrade
Using the Cabinet Cooler Sizing Guide
Measuring internal and external air temperatures
Installing the Dual Hardware Kit for Dual Cabinet Coolers
Installing NEMA 4/4X Cabinet Coolers
Connecting the Thermostat to the Solenoid Valve
If you still have any questions, you can reach us by phone at 800-903-9247 or contact us through Chat. An Application Engineer is waiting to help you. For our U.S. customers from now until the end of August 2026 with qualified purchases, you will receive an AC Sensor for free, a $77.50 value, as a promotional item. As I mentioned above, EXAIR has a number of ways to assist you from start to finish.
John Ball
Application Engineer
Email: johnball@exair.com
Twitter: @EXAIR_jb
EXAIR High Temperature Cabinet Coolers for Extreme Environments
EXAIR‘s High Temperature Cabinet Cooler Systems prevent electrical panel failures in extreme environments where ambient temperatures reach up to 200°F (93°C). Traditional cooling methods like fans or standard air conditioners fail when positioned near intense heat sources. EXAIR’s specialized vortex-tube-powered coolers deliver reliable thermal protection to ensure your operations keep running smoothly without catastrophic heat downtime.
Industrial electrical cabinets often face brutal environments. Standard electronics are designed to operate optimally around 95°F (35°C). However, when control panels are installed near high-heat infrastructure, internal components quickly bake and fail. Typical problem areas include:
- Boiler rooms
- Furnaces and foundries
- Industrial ovens
- Steam lines and casting operations
Standard cabinet coolers struggle when ambient temperatures exceed 125°F (52°C). For these ultra-hot zones, a heavy-duty solution is required.
EXAIR High Temperature Cabinet Coolers use advanced vortex tube technology to turn ordinary compressed air into a clean, cold air stream. In the video below, you can see this cooling effect in action. All of this is achieved without the need for refrigerants or moving parts.
Some key benefits of Vortex Tube technology are:
- Zero Moving Parts: No fans, motors, or bearings to wear out or clog from ambient dust.
- No Refrigerants: Eliminates Freon leaks, compressors, and complex chemical maintenance.
- Instant Installation: Mounts in minutes through a standard electrical knockout.
- Continuous Integrity: Available in NEMA 12 (dust-tight), NEMA 4 (splash-resistant), and NEMA 4X (corrosion-resistant stainless steel) ratings to maintain your enclosure’s structural seal.
Precise and Efficient Temperature Control
Compressed air is a valuable resource, and EXAIR systems are optimized to ensure it isn’t wasted.
- Thermostat-Controlled Systems: These configurations use an adjustable mechanical thermostat factory-set to 95°F (35°C). The cooler only activates when the interior temperature hits critical levels, automatically shutting off once cooled.
- Electronic Temperature Control (ETC): For precision applications, the EXAIR Electronic Temperature Control system utilizes a digital LED readout and a quick-response thermocouple to manage internal environment settings accurately down to the degree.
Choosing the right unit depends on your specific cabinet dimensions and internal heat loads. High-temperature models start at cooling capacities of 1,000 BTU/hr and can scale up significantly to handle heavy component loads.
To avoid guesswork, you can use the online EXAIR Cabinet Cooler Calculator to input your panel’s dimensions and temperatures. The tool will automatically determine if a high-temperature system is required and identify the exact BTU capacity you need. Or if you would like an Application Engineer to assist you, feel free to give us a call at 1-800-903-9247!
Al Wooffitt
Application Engineer
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Twitter: @EXAIR_AW