My colleague, Brian Bergmann wrote a blog on how the EXAIR Cabinet Coolers work, “Cabinet Coolers 101”. I want to extend that conversation about how EXAIR Cabinet Coolers can better benefit you and your equipment.
With the hot summer months upon us, elevated temperatures can cause shutdowns and interference with electrical systems. For every 10 deg. C rise above the operational temperature, the life of an electrical component is cut in half. With freon based coolers, higher ambient conditions make them less effective; and opening the electrical panel to have a fan blow inside creates a dangerous electrical hazard as well as blowing hot, humid, dirty air inside the cabinet. To reduce loss in production and premature equipment failures, it is important to keep the electrical mechanisms cool. The EXAIR Cabinet Coolers are designed to do just that.
How does the Cabinet Cooler work?
EXAIR Cabinet Coolers are powered by a Vortex Tube which only uses compressed air to generate cold air. They do not have any moving parts, freon to leak, or refrigerant compressors to fail. These simple, but effective, cooling devices can be used in the toughest of environments. With the Vortex Tube as the “engine, the reliability of the EXAIR Cabinet Cooler is unmatched and makes it an easy choice for cooling electrical panels.
What NEMA ratings does EXAIR offer?
To match the same integrity as your electrical panel, EXAIR offers three different types of NEMA ratings that are UL listed and CE compliant. NEMA 12 is dust and oil tight, and can be related to the IEC standard, IP54. NEMA 4 is dust and oil tight as well as splash resistant for indoor and outdoor use. The NEMA 4X is the same as the NEMA 4 except it is made of stainless steel for corrosive areas and aggressive wash-down environments. Both the NEMA 4 and 4x corresponds to an IP66 rating. EXAIR Cabinet Coolers are easily installed and can match your electrical panel to keep the electrical components safe inside.
What size Cabinet Cooler do I need?
EXAIR makes it easy to get the proper cooling with the Cabinet Cooler Sizing Guide. This sheet goes over the important information to determine the external and internal heat loads. It also indicates the proper NEMA type and electrical requirements for easy installation. The cooling power ranges from 275 BTU/hr to 5,600 BTU/hr, and with the filled-out form, we can make sure that the correct model is used.
What types of systems are offered?
EXAIR offers a continuous operating system and a thermostat-controlled system. The continuous operating system includes the selected Cabinet Cooler, a filter, and a cold air distribution kit. The system will continuously cool until it is manually or automatically turned off.
The thermostat-controlled system is the most efficient way to operate a Cabinet Cooler. This system comes with the selected Cabinet Cooler, filter, cold air distribution kit, a thermostat and an electrical solenoid valve. The system is designed to operate only when cooling is needed. The thermostat controls a solenoid valve, and it is preset at 95°F (35°C). The thermostat can be easily adjusted to match other desired temperatures. The solenoid valves come in three different voltages, 120Vac, 240Vac, and 24Vdc (which ever voltage is easily accessible). With the thermostat-controlled system, you do not have worry about the system operating during off-peak conditions or cooler seasons.
What other options does EXAIR offer with the Cabinet Cooler Systems?
For better temperature control, EXAIR can replace the standard thermostat and solenoid valve with the ETC, or Electronic Temperature Control. It is a digital temperature controller with a LED screen for precision monitoring and adjusting. The controller has easy-to-use buttons to raise or lower the desired internal cabinet temperature. Once set, the ETC will hold the temperature to +/- 1 deg. F (+/- 0.5 deg. C). The LED displays the internal temperature for continuous monitoring. The ETC comes complete with the controller and a solenoid valve in two different voltages, 120Vac and 240Vac. The ETC is a great option for real-time accurate measurements for your panel cooling.
Another option that EXAIR offers is the Side Mount Kit. They are used to mount the Cabinet Coolers on the side of the electrical panel. They are manufactured to match the NEMA rating of the Cabinet Cooler. If you have limited space, don’t worry. The Side Mount Kits gives you more areas to mount the Cabinet Cooler to your electrical panel.
What about harsh environments?
With elevated ambient temperatures like near ovens, the high temperature version would be your option. The HT Cabinet Coolers work in temperatures from 125 deg. F to 200 deg. F (52 deg. C to 93 deg. C respectively). With refrigerant coolers, the elevated temperatures make it very difficult to cool effectively. But with the EXAIR HT Cabinet Coolers, the high temperature will not affect the ability to blow cool air.
If the environment is extremely dirty with lint, fibers, debris, etc., EXAIR offers a NHP, or Non-Hazardous Purge, version. The solenoid valve is designed to allow 1 SCFM of compressed air into the panel to keep a slight positive pressure. With the NHP Cabinet Coolers, the ingress of any fine particles into your electrical panel are eliminated.
For food and beverage, pharmaceutical, and corrosive type of applications, EXAIR can offer NEMA 4X Cabinet Coolers made from 316SS material. With the high corrosion resistance, the 316SS Cabinet Coolers will continue to operate without degrading in tough environments.
Electrical shutdowns are expensive and annoying. If you have interruptions from high internal temperatures, EXAIR Cabinet Coolers are a great solution. They can be installed quickly and easily. With no moving parts or costly preventative maintenance needed, they can operate for decades in keeping your electronics cool. If you have any questions about Cabinet Coolers or the Sizing Guide, you can contact an Application Engineer at EXAIR. We will be happy to help.
John Ball
Application Engineer
Email: johnball@exair.com
Twitter: @EXAIR_jb