Tag: air conditioner

Enjoy this Summer by Avoiding Heat Related Electrical Problems with Cabinet Cooler® Systems

Published on by johnball2014Leave a comment

For many of us, summer contains some of the most enjoyable months coming up in North America. Summer typically brings more time spent outside, basking in the sunshine, lemonade, iced tea, grilling, gardening, fishing, hiking etc.

These enjoyable hot summer months coming upon us can also bring some elevated temperatures within electric control panels – but we have a simple and effective solution to avoid any heat related shutdowns and interference with electrical systems.  EXAIR can eliminate these with our Cabinet Cooler Systems, you just get on with the grilling and basking in the sun.

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.  For every 10 oC rise above the operational temperature, the life of an electrical component is cut in half.  To reduce loss in production and premature equipment failures, it is important to keep your electrical mechanisms cool.  The EXAIR Cabinet Coolers are designed to do just that.

How the EXAIR Cabinet Cooler System Works

How does the Cabinet Cooler work? 

Cabinet Coolers are powered by an EXAIR 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 panels, 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 guide 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.

Thermostat- Controlled System

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.

EXAIR NEMA 4X 316SS Cabinet Cooler System with Electronic Temperature Control installed on control panel in a pharmaceutical plant.

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 oF (+/- 0.5 oC).  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 oF to 200 oF (52 oC to 93 oC 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 an 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 panels 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.
  • In Class I, Class II, and Class III hazardous areas, EXAIR has the HazLoc Cabinet Coolers. They are UL classified and can work with X-type and Z-type purge systems for the thermostat-controlled system.  The solenoid valves are also designed to be located in these areas with the same three different voltages.  The Hazloc Cabinet Coolers can be sold as a continuous operating system as well.

    Model 7929 EXAIR AC Sensor – FREE to end user customers when purchasing ANY EXAIR Cabinet Cooler System

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.  For our U.S. and Canadian customers, we are offering a promotion.  You will receive an AC Sensor, a $58.00 value, for free as a promotional item from now until the end of August 2020 with a qualified purchase.  How can you not give them a try?  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

EXAIR’s Cabinet Coolers Solve Your Overheating Problems

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We here at EXAIR always know when summer is approaching, as phone calls and orders for the Cabinet Cooler Systems start to kick into high gear.  After those first few hot days in late spring, it is common for panels and electrical enclosures to overheat due to faulty air conditioning units, fans that are not working, or lack of a cooling system in general.

Time for us to sharpen our pencils and be ready to help! Our Cabinet Coolers are in stock and ready to solve your overheating problems with same day shipping on orders we receive by 3pm. If you need assistance choosing your Cabinet Cooler Solution, Contact an Application Engineer today!

The Cabinet Cooler System is a low cost, reliable way to cool and purge electronic control panels.  We recently hosted a Webinar on the systems, and it is available for review (click picture below)  webinar-on-demand

EXAIR Cabinet Coolers incorporate the vortex tube technology to produce cold air from compressed air, all with no moving parts.

Below shows the basics of how the Cabinet Cooler is able to provide cooling to an enclosure.  Compressed air enters the vortex tube based system, and (2) streams of air are created, one hot and one cold. The hot air is muffled and exhausted through the vortex tube exhaust.  The cold air is discharged into the cabinet through the Cold Air Distribution Kit and routed throughout the enclosure. The cold air absorbs heat from the cabinet, and the hotter air rises to the top of the cabinet where it exits to atmosphere under a slight pressure. Only the cool, clean, dry air enters the cabinet – no dirty, hot humid outside air is ever allowed into the cabinet!

HowCCWorks
How the EXAIR Cabinet Cooler System Works

EXAIR offers Cabinet Cooler Systems for cabinets and enclosures to maintain a NEMA rating of NEMA 12 (dust tight, oil-tight), NEMA 4 (dust tight, oil-tight, splash resistant, indoor/outdoor service) and NEMA 4X (same as NEMA 4, but constructed of stainless steel for food service and corrosive environments.

Cabinet Cooler Systems can be configured to run in a Continuous Operation or with Thermostat control. Thermostat control is the most efficient way to operate a Cabinet Cooler.  They save air by activating the cooler only when the internal temperature reaches the preset level, and are the best option when fluctuating heat loads are caused by environmental or seasonal changes. The thermostat is preset at 95°F (35°C) and is easily adjusted.

Another option is the ETC Electronic Temperature Control, a digital temperature control unit for precise setting and monitoring of enclosure conditions. An LED readout displays the internal temperature, and the use of quick response thermocouple provides real time, accurate measurements. The controller has easy to use buttons to raise or lower the desired cabinet temperature set-point.

48xx-ETC120
EXAIR NEMA 4X 316SS Cabinet Cooler System with Electronic Temperature Control installed on control panel in a pharmaceutical plant.

 

Other Special Cabinet Cooler considerations are:

  • High Temperature –  for ambient temperatures of 125°F to 200 °F – for use near furnaces, ovens, etc.
  • Non-Hazardous Purge – ideal for dirty areas where contaminants might normally pass through small holes or conduits. A small amount of air (1 SCFM) is passed through the cooler when the solenoid is in the closed position, providing a slight positive pressure within the cabinet.
  • Type 316 Stainless Steel – suitable for food service, pharmaceutical, and harsh and corrosive environments.

If you have any questions about Cabinet Coolers or any of the EXAIR Intelligent Compressed Air® Products, feel free to contact EXAIR and myself or one of our Application Engineers can help you determine the best solution.

Brian Bergmann
Application Engineer

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Twitter: @EXAIR_BB

EXAIR’s Cabinet Cooler System is Durable and Reliable

Published on by Russ BowmanLeave a comment

Any realtor will tell you that the three most important factors in selecting a property are location, location, and location. This simply means that houses with similar features – number of bedrooms, yard size, structure, garage (or not,) basement or not,) etc. – can be found in a lot of very different neighborhoods. Whether you want to live somewhere that’s convenient to the highway, close to (or not so close to) work, near your favorite activities, etc., odds are you can find a house that meets your material needs & wants within those geographical confines. Hence, location is your #1 consideration. And your #2 and your #3 as well…my lovely bride is a real estate professional, so I have this on good authority. And, so you know, #4 is price, and #5 is condition.

Electrical and electronics controls professionals will tell you that three of the most important things to protect their equipment from are heat, moisture, and dust. If you’re looking for a durable, reliable, and low cost method for that, we’ve got the solution: the EXAIR Cabinet Cooler System. Selection of the right system comes down to determining your heat load, and…the reason for today’s blog…the LOCATION in which it will be installed.

Let’s say it’s a control panel for one of the machines on a factory production line…indoors & dry.  Our NEMA 12 Cabinet Cooler Systems provide protection against dust and oil from entering the enclosure.

NEMA 12 Cabinet Cooler Systems are oil tight, dust tight, and rated for indoor duty. They can also be installed to the wall of an enclosure (instead of the top) with a Side Mount Kit.

If the enclosure is outdoors, or indoors but subject to water spray (like in a wash-down area,) our NEMA 4 Cabinet Cooler Systems are oil tight, dust tight, AND splash resistant.  They ensure the inside of the enclosure stays dry through the use of a low pressure relief valve that seals when the cooler is not operating, maintaining NEMA 4 integrity at all times.

EXAIR NEMA Cabinet Cooler Systems provide additional protection to keep the enclosure dry inside.

Our NEMA 4X Cabinet Cooler Systems are made of stainless steel, and are commonly specified for food service area installations, and in corrosive environments.  They’re also oil tight, dust tight, and splash resistant.  These are also available in Type 316 Stainless Steel construction, for especially harsh conditions, or when this is otherwise specified due to the nature of the installation, such as critical food grade or pharmaceutical areas.

EXAIR NEMA 4X Cabinet Cooler Systems are made of corrosion resistant stainless steel for corrosive environments, and are also available with Side Mount Kits.

Regardless of the NEMA rating called for by the location, all EXAIR Cabinet Cooler Systems are available with a Non-Hazardous Purge option, which provides a slight positive pressure through a low (1 SCFM) air flow when internal temperature is below the thermostat setpoint and the solenoid valve is closed.  This provides constant and reliable protection, even if the enclosure is not perfectly sealed, even in especially dirty or dusty environments.

All EXAIR Cabinet Cooler Systems are available with Non Hazardous Purge for constant, reliable protection from environmental contaminants.

High Temperature Cabinet Cooler Systems are also available when ambient temperatures can exceed 125F.  These are popular in foundries, glass production facilities, and even non-air conditioned spaces in particularly warm climates.

High Temperature Cabinet Cooler Systems provide reliable heat protection in areas where ambient temperatures reach 125-200F (52-93C)

If you’ve got sensitive, mission-critical electrical or electronic enclosures that need reliable heat protection, EXAIR has the solution you’re looking for.  If you know the required cooling capacity for your enclosure, you can select the right system directly from our website.  If you’d like help in calculating your heat load, you can use our Cabinet Cooler System Sizing Guide…just fill in the blanks and click “submit” – your request will be forwarded to an Application Engineer for immediate attention.  Or, if you’d rather, just give me a call.  We calculate heat loads over the phone all the time; it only takes a minute.

What Is A NEMA Rating?

Published on by Brian FarnoLeave a comment

With the Summer heat upon us here in Ohio the inquiries for our Cabinet Cooler Systems are increasing by the day.  A question we always ask customers with Cabinet Cooler Sizing Guides is, “What NEMA Type is your enclosure?”  There are quite a few times where no one truly knows what a NEMA rating is. So what exactly is a NEMA rating?

NEMA is the National Electrical Manufacturers Association, one of the many standards they publish is the NEMA rating standard for electrical enclosures up to 1000 Volts.  This standard is where NEMA Types such as 12, 4, and 4X come from (you will also see an international standard reference as “IP”, more on that later).  It categorizes the enclosures by their ability to protect the internal components from things such as corrosion, dust, oil, even external air quality. These standards are reviewed every five years and the last review was done in 2013.  The reviews are generally based on improving safety, clarity of the standard, and testing methods.

So what NEMA ratings does EXAIR offer?  For our Cabinet Cooler Systems, EXAIR offers three very common NEMA types to try an offer a selection to fit the needs that we most commonly encounter.  The NEMA types and their descriptions are below.   For a full list of the Non-hazardous location NEMA enclosure types, click on this link.

EXAIR NEMA 12 Cabinet Cooler System w/ Side Mount Kit

Type 12 (IP54): General purpose, indoor use.  Protects against falling dirt and circulating dust, lint, fibers, and flyings.  Protects against ingress of dripping and splashing water. Rust-resistant Type 12 enclosures do not include knockouts.

 

EXAIR NEMA Type 4 Cabinet Cooler System
EXAIR NEMA Type 4 Cabinet Cooler System

Types 4, 4X (IP66): Water-tight, dust-tight, sleet-resistant.  Resistant to windblown dust.  Indoor or outdoor use.  Also provides protection against splashing and hose-directed water.  The “X” designation indicates corrosion-resistance.

EXAIR's High Temp Cabinet Cooler Systems

The EXAIR Cabinet Cooler Systems also reference an equivalent IEC (International Electrotechnical Commission), IP code.   This is a code from the IEC system which specifies the ingress protection which classifies and rates the degree of protection provided against intrusion (body parts such as hands and fingers), dust, accidental contact, and water by mechanical casings and electrical enclosures. They are a two digit number that represents the level of protection against physical objects and he ingress of water.   Coorelation between NEMA ratings and IP codes is not always possible.  EXAIR has ensured that we also meet the equivalent IP codes shown in the NEMA descriptions above.

If you have a hot enclosure and you are not sure how much cooling is needed or what the NEMA type is, contact us.  We will gladly help you gather the information needed to calculate the heat load requirements and help determine the correct NEMA rating.

Brian Farno
Application Engineer Manager
BrianFarno@EXAIR.com
@EXAIR_BF