As summer endures and temperatures continue to rise panel conditioning units can start to struggle to keep your electronics cool. An agricultural company contacted EXAIR as they were having some issues with their air conditioning panel cooler. The increase in outside temperatures caused the air conditioning systems to underperform. The electronics were overheating and shutting down production. They needed a better way to keep the internal circuits cool during the hotter months of summer.
They sent in the information on the A/C panel that they were using (reference photo below). I circled the important factors that we would need. EXAIR is familiar with these tags as we helped many customers to find a more reliable way to keep their electronics cool. This customer stated that they had already replaced three units in the past 10 years. The one above has been in operation for only 3 months, and they were still worried about failure. It could be due to lack of maintenance, dirty environment, or high ambient temperatures, but the short life of the refrigeration units was a major concern.
From the placard, the total cooling capacity was DIN EN 14511 L35 L35 0.38KW as circled above. The DIN EN 14511 is a European Standard that rates the performance of air conditioning units. The first L35 is the temperature rating for inside the panel, 35oC. The second L35 is the ambient temperature, 35oC. The cooling capacity at those temperature conditions is 0.38KW, or 1,296 BTU/hr. As you can see, the performance was measured with the ambient temperature at 35oC (95oF). If the ambient temperature goes above this standard rating, the cooling capacity of the air conditioning unit will start to decrease. With the EXAIR Cabinet Cooler Systems, we use the internal temperature as 35oC (95oF) as well, but our external temperature can be as high as 93oC (200oF). Here is a diagram showing the range of the different types of cooling devices as compared to the ambient temperatures and the environment.
Another note on the placard is the IP Code – IP54; and “Maintains the environmental integrity of type 12”. EXAIR offers three different NEMA ratings to keep the integrity of your panel. We offer NEMA 12, NEMA 4 and NEMA 4X. The rated voltage for the A/C panel cooler is 115 V / 60 Hz / 1-. EXAIR offers three different voltages with our solenoid valves to work in conjunction with our thermostats. We have 240Vac, 115Vac, and 24Vdc. So, from the information supplied by the A/C panel cooler, we are getting close for a recommendation. What do we need next? The ambient temperature condition which affected the A/C panel cooler. I need this information to calculate the heat load on the hottest day of the hottest month.
In the Cabinet Cooler Sizing Guide that we sent to them; they marked the “Maximum external temperature possible” at 130oF (54.4oC). As seen in the chart below, this is the upper limit for the performance conditions for an A/C unit. With the EXAIR Cabinet Cooler System, we can offer a High Temperature Cabinet Cooler that can work up to 200oF (93oC). And, they will still operate under the harshest of environments. With the size of their panel, the external heat load was calculated at 980 BTU/hr. Remember, since we are replacing the A/C panel cooler with an EXAIR Cabinet Cooler System, we will need to add the 0.38KW or 1,296 BTU/hr to the external heat load. The total heat load is measured at 980 BTU/hr + 1,296 BTU/hr = 2,276 BTU/hr.
Since we now have all the information, I recommended a model HT4340 Cabinet Cooler System. This system has a NEMA 12 Cabinet Cooler, a filter, a cold air distribution kit, a thermostat, and a 115Vac solenoid valve. The cooling capacity for the HT4340 is 2.800 BTU/hr; above the required 2,276 BTU/hr maximum heat load. So, when the internal temperature reaches 95oF (35oC), the thermostat will turn the solenoid off to save compressed air. This Cabinet Cooler System fit the criteria as noted on the placard on the A/C unit for replacement.
With they received the model HT4340, they were amazed at how small and compact the unit was. The Cabinet Cooler does not have any moving parts, Freon, or condensers to clean. They only need clean compressed air. The installation was also very simple. It took them longer to remove the A/C unit than to install the EXAIR Cabinet Cooler. They were able to start using the Cabinet Cooler in less than one hour. They also commented to me about how they wished that they knew about the Cabinet Cooler Systems 10 years ago. The breakdowns, the replacements, the maintenance, and the headaches that the A/C units delivered cost them much money in material and production shutdowns.
If you have electrical panels over-heating or air conditioning units under-performing, you should try an EXAIR Cabinet Cooler System. You can fill out the Cabinet Cooler Sizing Guide and an Application Engineer will find the best model to keep your operations running; even during the summer months.
John Ball
Application Engineer
Email: johnball@exair.com
Twitter: @EXAIR_jb