Tag: Cabinet Cooler

ATEX Cabinet Cooler Systems Approved for Zone 2/22 Areas

Published on by John BallLeave a comment

EXAIR’s ATEX Cabinet Cooler® Systems deliver a powerful and affordable solution for keeping electrical enclosures cool in hazardous ATEX classified areas.  Engineered for use in Zones 2 and 22, these coolers are UL-tested, CE compliant, and meet stringent ATEX standards for purged and pressurized enclosures. 

As an overview, the ATEX Cabinet Coolers will require a purge and vent system on the electrical panel to keep their certification.  The purge system is designed to “flush” clean air inside the panel to remove any vapor or dust to produce a non-hazardous area prior to allowing electrical operations.  The maximum pressure is 8.6 bar, the maximum inlet air temperature is 45oC, and we stock cooling capacities from 1,000 BTU/hr to 5,600 BTU/hr (293 Watts to 1,642 Watts) in aluminum, 303SS, and 316SS materials.

We laser mark the ATEX number on the Cabinet Cooler for easy reference.  The ATEX nomenclature falls under the EN/IEC 60079-2 international standard for explosive zones.  It covers three zones in two hazardous materials: gas/liquid and dust.  The ATEX Cabinet Coolers can be used in Zone 2 for gas/liquid and Zone 22 for dust.  The ATEX terminology is as follows:

Gas – CE EX II 3 G Ex h IIC T3 Gc

Dust – CE EX II 3 D Ex h IIIC 200oC Dc

From these codes, it defines the equipment group and category, the environment, the protection, the group of materials, the temperature class, and the equipment protection level.  Most companies that have dealt with ATEX are familiar with these designations.  Just to give a slight overview, the CE EX is the ATEX protection through the European directive, CE.  The next symbol, II, is the Equipment Group, which refers to all locations except mines.  The fourth part would be the category and zone.  So, II 3 G would be Zone 2 for gas, and II 3 D would be Zone 22 for dust.   The Ex h is the protection principle and is used in the last section for the type of protection.  In conjunction with the Gc and the Dc, it designates a ventilator type of protection for explosive gas and dust. The remaining portion includes the type of gases or dust with temperature range.  The IIC T3 is for all gases that have an ignition temperature between 200oC and 300oC.   The IIIC 200oC is for conductive dust material with a maximum permissible surface temperature of 200oC. 

This would include industries like oil and gas, chemical processing, pharmaceutical, and food processing plants.  Designed for quick and easy installation, the ATEX Cabinet Cooler mounts through a standard electrical knockout and maintains NEMA 4/4X integrity even in demanding environments.  Optional thermostat controls reduce compressed air usage, while cold air distribution kits ensure even cooling throughout the electrical panel.  If you’d like to discuss any of the information above, EXAIR is staffed by Application Engineers who can be contacted by email, chat, and phone calls.    

John Ball
Application Engineer
Email: johnball@exair.com
Twitter: @EXAIR_jb

Keep Your Electronics Cool with EXAIR’s Cabinet Coolers: Cabinet Cooler® System Calculator

Published on by Jordan T ShouseLeave a comment

In today’s fast-paced industrial world, maintaining the performance and longevity of electronic equipment is crucial. Overheating electrical enclosures can lead to costly downtime, and premature component failure. Fortunately, EXAIR offers a reliable, efficient, and innovative solution with their Cabinet Cooler Systems. Paired with their intuitive Cabinet Cooler System Calculator, choosing the right cooling solution has never been easier. Let’s dive into what makes EXAIR Cabinet Coolers stand out and how the system calculator simplifies the selection process.

From right to left: Small NEMA 12, Large NEMA 12, Large NEMA 4X

EXAIR Cabinet Coolers are compressed air-powered cooling systems designed to keep electrical enclosures at optimal temperatures, even in the harshest environments. Unlike traditional air conditioners that rely on refrigerants and moving parts, these coolers use vortex tube technology to generate cold air from compressed air. This means no Freon, no maintenance headaches, and no risk of mechanical breakdowns—perfect for industries where reliability is non-negotiable.

Available in a variety of models, EXAIR Cabinet Coolers cater to different needs:

  • NEMA 12: Ideal for dust-tight, oil-tight indoor environments.
  • NEMA 4: Built for splash-resistant, indoor/outdoor use.
  • NEMA 4X: Corrosion-resistant stainless steel for food service or harsh settings.
  • Hazardous Location Models: Certified for explosive environments like Class I, II, or III areas.
  • ATEX:  Electrical enclosures located in ATEX Zones 2 and 22, for hazardous gases and dust.

Cooling capacities range from 275 Btu/hr for small panels to 5,600 Btu/hr for larger enclosures, with options for continuous operation or thermostat-controlled systems to save on air usage. Plus, they’re UL-listed, CE-compliant, and easy to install—typically in under an hour through a standard electrical knockout.

Launched as a do-it-yourself solution, the Cabinet Cooler System Calculator is a free, web-based tool available on EXAIR’s website under the Knowledge Base’s Calculator Library. It’s designed to provide instant feedback on the exact model you need, saving time and ensuring accuracy. Here’s how it works:

  1. Input Basic Information: Enter details like:
    • Enclosure dimensions (height, width, depth).
    • Current internal and external temperatures.
    • Maximum external temperature expected.
    • Desired internal temperature (typically 95°F for most electronics).
    • NEMA rating required.
    • Compressed air supply details (pressure and temperature).
  2. Heat Load Calculation: The calculator computes the internal heat load (from electronics inefficiency) and external heat load (from ambient conditions), factoring in variables like solar heat gain if applicable.
  3. Model Recommendation: Within seconds, it spits out the precise Cabinet Cooler model number—complete with cooling capacity in Btu/hr—and a link to learn more or order online.

Before the calculator, you’d fill out a Cabinet Cooler Sizing Guide and wait up to 24 hours for a recommendation. While that process still works (and EXAIR’s team responds promptly), the calculator delivers results in under 5 minutes. It’s perfect for engineers who want quick answers or companies facing urgent overheating issues. Plus, it’s packed with EXAIR’s decades of expertise, ensuring the recommendation compensates for non-optimal conditions like high air temperatures or low pressure.

In keeping with the understanding that we want to take your pain away quickly, not only can you get a recommendation for the right Cabinet Cooler system quickly, but we also keep all of our cataloged models on the shelf, ready for immediate delivery to your facility as quickly as the next day. Our customers have up until 2:00 p.m. Eastern time to get a recommendation and get an order in with us to be delivered the next day if the situation demands it.

EXAIR Cabinet Coolers are a proven, cost-effective way to protect your electrical enclosures from heat-related chaos. Paired with the Cabinet Cooler System Calculator, you’ve got a powerful duo that makes cooling simple, fast, and precise. No more guessing, no more delays—just cold air where and when you need it.

Ready to cool things down? Head to EXAIR.com, plug your specs into the calculator, and see the difference for yourself. Your electronics—and your bottom line—will thank you.

Jordan Shouse, CCASS

Application Engineer

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Find us on the Web 
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Twitter: @EXAIR_JS

Advantages of EXAIR’s Cabinet Coolers: White Paper Recap

Published on by Tyler DanielLeave a comment

Summer has finally arrived in full force here in Cincinnati, Ohio after a much cooler than normal Spring season. Now that it’s officially summer, the weather has wasted no time with high temperatures here forecast to be in the mid-90s for the foreseeable future. For me, it’s great to finally be able to utilize the pool that we’ve been diligently maintaining for well over a month now. For the control panels installed throughout your facility, that’s a different story.

EXAIR manufactures a product called the Cabinet Cooler that is designed to rectify issues with overheating control panels. With the Cabinet Cooler installed and operating, you can completely eliminate production shutdowns due to heat, dirt, and moisture in the ambient environment. The systems are low cost and reliable, offering many advantages over other methods of heat mitigation such as heat exchangers, fans, and A/C systems.

Designed around Vortex Tube technology, the Cabinet Cooler is able to produce a stream of cold air from just a supply of ordinary compressed air. These products have absolutely no moving parts which allows us to operate 100% maintenance-free. Without any fans, condenser motors, evaporator blowers or compressors, there’s simply nothing to wear out or ever need to replace.

Most industrial environments are fairly harsh – Cabinet Coolers are not impacted at all by vibration or dirty conditions that can lead to refrigerant leaks and component failures in traditional A/C systems or heat exchangers. All of our Cabinet Cooler Systems come backed by a 5-Year Built to Last Warranty, with units still in service today after over 20+ years in operation. We even offer High Temperature Cabinet Coolers for ambient temperatures up to 200°F.

Installation couldn’t be simpler. The Cabinet Cooler installs in just minutes through a standard electrical knockout, compared to the hours necessary for a contractor to install a refrigerant-based system. Not to mention that those systems typically require a waiting period after shipping so the internal oils and lubricants can settle back into their proper reservoirs. Cabinet Coolers are ready to be installed the minute they arrive to your receiving dock.

Using clean, dry compressed air the Cabinet Cooler introduces clean, cold air directly into the panel. Warm air is purged through designed vents in the cooler itself, allowing you to completely seal off the panel from any ambient contaminants. There are no filters to replace, refrigerants to recharge or maintain, just set it and forget it!

The systems include a thermostat that’ll maintain a 35°C (or whatever temperature it’s set to) temperature inside of the panel at all times. When temperatures exceed the set point, a solenoid valve opens to supply air to the Cabinet Cooler. It’ll continue to operate autonomously, maintaining a safe operating temperature for your control panels when you need it most.

Register for an account on the EXAIR.com website today and check out our PDF Library where we have a complete White Paper published about the advantages of using a Cabinet Cooler this summer. Your facilities and maintenance teams will thank you!

Our complete line of Cabinet Cooler Systems is in stock and available to ship today. Input your conditions into our online calculator and get it on order ASAP!

Tyler Daniel, CCASS

Application Engineer

E-mail: TylerDaniel@EXAIR.com

X: @EXAIR_TD

Protect Sensitive Electronics in Explosive Environments with New Aluminum ATEX Cabinet Cooler Systems

Published on by John BallLeave a comment

               

EXAIR’s ATEX Cabinet Cooler® Systems deliver a powerful and affordable solution for keeping electrical enclosures cool in hazardous ATEX classified areas—and they’re now available in durable aluminum construction.  Engineered for use in Zones 2 and 22, these coolers are UL-tested, CE compliant, and meet stringent ATEX standards for purged and pressurized enclosures. 

                With cooling capacities of up to 5,600 Btu/Hr. (1,642 Watts), ATEX Cabinet Coolers are ideal for preventing overheating in electrical cabinets exposed to explosive atmospheres. Whether you’re dealing with industrial control panels, application-specific electrical boxes, or simply sensitive electronics in hazardous locations, these systems ensure your equipment stays cool, safe and operational. This would include industries like oil and gas, chemical processing, pharmaceuticals, and food processing.  Designed for quick and easy installation, the ATEX Cabinet Cooler mounts through a standard electrical knockout and maintains NEMA 4 integrity even in demanding environments. Optional thermostat controls reduce compressed air usage, while cold air distribution kits ensure even cooling throughout the cabinet.

                EXAIR offers a comprehensive lineup of Cabinet Cooler Systems for NEMA 12, 4, 4X, and hazardous locations like UL-Classified and ATEX. Built with no moving parts, every system is CE-compliant, UL-listed, and designed for long-term reliability in the most challenging conditions. From control panels and motor centers to laser housings and surveillance equipment, EXAIR Cabinet Coolers protect your investments and keep your operations running smoothly.

For our U.S. and Canadian customers, we are offering a promotion.  You will receive an AC Sensor, a $76.00 value, for free as a promotional item from now until the end of August 2025 with a qualified purchase of Cabinet Coolers.  If you have any questions about Cabinet Coolers or how to properly size them, 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