It’s that time of year again… Cabinet Cooler season!!! With the temperatures ramping up, so are our promotions! Now through the end of August, with the purchase of any Cabinet Cooler System, you will receive a free AC Sensor. The EXAIR Model 7929 AC Sensor offers a reliable method for non-contact verification of voltage presence. When voltage is detected, the sensor’s tip emits a bright red glow accompanied by an audible alert, ensuring users can easily confirm power to their electrical devices. This versatile tool is suitable for testing various components, including wall receptacles, switches, fuses, and junction boxes. Additionally, it can detect electricity through insulation, making it effective for identifying breaks in power cords and wires.
Now for the Cabinet Coolers!!! EXAIR’s Cabinet Cooler employs Vortex Tube technology to generate cold air from standard compressed air supplies, effectively keeping enclosures free from debris and moisture. Installation is straightforward, taking only minutes through a typical electrical knockout. The Cabinet Cooler Systems come with Nema 12 (IP54) ratings and are offered in various materials, including Aluminum, 303 Stainless Steel, and 316 Stainless Steel, suitable for Nema 4/4X (IP66) rated enclosures. For installations where top mounting is not feasible, Side Mount Kits in the same materials are available. This year, EXAIR has broadened its product range by introducing Hazardous LocationCabinet Coolers and ATEX Cabinet Coolers, catering to customers with specific ATEX compliance needs.
From right to left: Small NEMA 12, Large NEMA 12, Large NEMA 4X
These systems offer cooling capacities ranging from 275 to 5,600 Btu/hr. To simplify your selection process, we provide a Cabinet Cooler Sizing Guide that helps us recommend the most appropriate model for your cabinet. By taking a few quick measurements, we can accurately assess the heat load that needs to be managed and present you with a straightforward solution.
If you have questions about the EXAIRCabinet CoolerPromo, or anything regarding EXAIR and our products, please do not hesitate to reach out.
EXAIR Cabinet Coolers are compressed air-powered systems that use vortex tube technology to deliver cold air into sealed enclosures, preventing overheating without refrigerants or moving parts. They’re durable, easy to install, and designed for various environments, making them a cost-effective alternative to traditional air conditioners or heat exchangers. Key benefits include:
No moving parts: Virtually maintenance-free with a long lifespan.
Compact design: Installs in minutes through a standard electrical knockout.
Environmental resistance: Available in NEMA 12, 4, 4X, and Hazardous Location ratings.
Energy efficiency: Thermostat-controlled systems minimize compressed air use.
To ensure you select the right model, follow these steps.
First Calculate the Heat Load
The total heat load includes:
External heat load: Heat transferred from the ambient environment, based on enclosure surface area and the temperature differential (ΔT) between external and desired internal temperatures.
Internal heat load: Heat generated by components inside the enclosure.
Solar heat load (if applicable): For outdoor enclosures exposed to sunlight, factor in heat absorption based on the enclosure’s color (darker colors absorb more heat).
Existing Cooling Devices: If fans are currently used, note their diameter or airflow (CFM) to account for the heat they remove, as these openings must be sealed when installing a Cabinet Cooler.
EXAIR’s Cabinet Cooler System Calculator simplifies this process. Enter your data online for an instant model recommendation, or submit the Sizing Guide to an EXAIR Application Engineer for assistance. For quick calculations, you can call EXAIR at 1-800-903-9247, and an engineer can estimate the heat load in minutes.
This NEMA 4 Dual Cabinet Cooler System protects a critical equipment panel on a hot roll steel line.
Second, select the Appropriate NEMA Rating
EXAIR Cabinet Coolers are designed to maintain the environmental integrity of your enclosure, with models available for different conditions. Choose a NEMA rating based on your application’s environment:
NEMA 12 (IP54): For indoor use, protecting against dust and oil. Ideal for general factory settings.
NEMA 4 (IP66): For indoor or outdoor use, offering dust, oil, and splash resistance. Suitable for wash-down areas or wet environments.
NEMA 4X (IP66): Same as NEMA 4 but made of corrosion-resistant stainless steel (Type 303 or 316). Perfect for food processing, pharmaceutical, or corrosive environments.
High Temperature: For ambient temperatures of up to 200°F (93°C), such as near furnaces or in desert climates.
Ensure the Cabinet Cooler’s NEMA rating matches or exceeds your enclosure’s rating to maintain its integrity. For example, a NEMA 4X enclosure requires a NEMA 4X Cabinet Cooler.
From right to left: Small NEMA 12, Large NEMA 12, Large NEMA 4X
Third, choose the Operating System
EXAIR offers two operating modes to suit different cooling needs:
Thermostat-Controlled Systems: These are the most energy-efficient option, using a thermostat and solenoid valve to activate cooling only when the internal temperature exceeds the setpoint (preset at 95°F but adjustable). Includes a filter, cold air distribution kit, and solenoid valve (available in 120Vac, 240Vac, or 24Vdc). Ideal for enclosures with fluctuating heat loads or seasonal temperature changes.
Continuous Operating Systems: Provide constant cooling and positive pressure to keep out dust and debris. Best for applications requiring uninterrupted cooling or in extremely dirty environments. Includes a filter and cold air distribution kit.
For precise temperature control, consider adding an Electronic Temperature Control (ETC), which offers digital monitoring and easy temperature adjustments, especially useful in sensitive applications like pharmaceutical plants.
Fourth, Consider Additional Options
EXAIR provides accessories and features to tailor the Cabinet Cooler to your needs:
Non-Hazardous Purge (NHP): Delivers a 1 SCFM airflow to maintain positive pressure when cooling isn’t needed, keeping dust and debris out of the enclosure.
Side Mount Kits: Allow installation on the side of the enclosure if top mounting isn’t feasible due to space constraints for the NEMA 4 and 4X coolers.
High-Temperature Models: Designed for ambient temperatures between 125°F and 200°F (52°C–93°C).
Material Options: Standard models use aluminum, while NEMA 4X models offer Type 303 or 316 stainless steel for corrosion resistance.
Voltage Options: Solenoid valves for thermostat-controlled systems are available in 120Vac, 240Vac, or 24Vdc to match your electrical setup.
Final Tips for Success
Act Early: Install a Cabinet Cooler before heat-related failures occur, especially in summer or high-temperature environments.
Plan for Installation: Ensure all enclosure openings (e.g., fan vents) are sealed to maintain positive pressure and prevent contamination.
Monitor Performance: Use the ETC for real-time temperature monitoring in critical applications.
Inside, outdoors, high temperature, dirt/dust/humidity, corrosive and classified environments are no problem for EXAIR Cabinet Cooler Systems
Choosing the right EXAIR Cabinet Cooler involves calculating your heat load, selecting the appropriate NEMA rating, deciding between thermostat-controlled or continuous operation, and ensuring a reliable compressed air supply. By using EXAIR’s Sizing Guide or Calculator and consulting with myself or any one of our Application Engineers, you can confidently select a system that protects your electronics, minimizes downtime, and saves on maintenance costs.
Ready to cool your enclosures? Visit EXAIR.com to explore Cabinet Cooler options, use the Cabinet Cooler System Calculator, or contact an Application Engineer at 1-800-903-9247. Keep your electronics cool and your operations running smoothly with a EXAIR Cabinet cooler system.
Have you ever walked through a production facility and actually looked at and in electrical cabinets? If you did, you would find very few that are identical and even ones that are similar sizes; the internals can be drastically different. When I was in the metal cutting industry customizing, installing, and servicing CNC machines, the same model machine may have different drives for an extra option and can easily add additional heat load to the panel. Bring this up because it’s time we talk about how the dimensions of a panel are not enough to select the level of cooling needed.
Some manufacturers of air movers and “traditional” enclosure cooling method devices will use merely the dimensions of a panel to estimate a heat load and then treat the panel for the worst case scenario. Sometimes it may even be a worst-case scenario for that size of panel. I’m here to tell you from experience that’s not always the best option. This is why we like to have additional information, an “inside man” on the panel, if you will. We want to know exactly what kind of air temperatures we are seeing so that we can use that information combined with some math to determine an acceptable heat load that needs to be dissipated.
The information permits us to size the Cabinet Cooler system for your exact panel; even if you have two that are the same size but one of them has some additional drives or circuits running through it, we can account for that. The reason it is essential to size each panel that has anything different in it is that all devices have some level of efficiency. So the power they consume isn’t 100% converted into their intended function. This results in some level of heat generation. That means different internal components, and different heat loads, easy as that.
This is one of the reasons we took so much care when designing and refining ourCabinet Cooler Calculator. Each variable will impact the heat load and model selection for the Cabinet Cooler System. Some major factors, such as solar heat load and cabinet color, are even accounted for when panels are located outside. We even account for existing fans that will need to be removed to seal the panel. This is because all of these factors directly affect the amount of cooling needed.
Suppose you are looking to cool down some electrical cabinets throughout your facility and want to fully understand what heat load you may need to dissipate and maintain a safe operating environment; check out our Cabinet Cooler Calculator, orcontact an Application Engineer today. In that case, we can size the system while we are talking on the phone with you.
From ancient times humans have sought ways to cool themselves down, from the invention of the manual fan in ancient times to the modern A/C systems that are used to cool down entire buildings. Anymore these days there is a cooling system for just about anything; gaming PC’s have there own cooling system, personal fans that mist water for cooling down people, climate-controlled boxes for artifacts in museums, etc. But what about your electrical cabinets in your facility? Electrical cabinets that overheat can cause expensive shut downs and lead to unsafe operations where the doors are left open with fans blowing in. When it comes to electrical cabinets there are two well-known ways that are used to cool down electrical cabinets which are fans and A/C units. But there is a third option you can go with which is EXAIR’s Cabinet Coolers.
EXAIR’s High Temp Cabinet Coolers
Cabinet Coolers are compressed air powered cooling units that utilize a source of compressed air and vortex tubes to cool down enclosed areas. But why would you choose a Cabinet Cooler over an A/C coolant driven system? Each system has pros and cons that can be weighed against each other.
A/C Coolant Driven Systems: Pros: Can produce higher cooling loads effectively
Cons: Expensive up front Constant maintenance
Cabinet Coolers: Pros: Inexpensive upfront cost, lower lifetime cost No moving Parts / No actual maintenance
Cons: Smaller range for effective cooling
Even in extremely aggressive environments, EXAIR Cabinet Cooler Systems provide reliable heat protection for your sensitive electronics and controls.
A/C Units operate in most cases using a chemical known as Dichlorodifluoromethane more commonly referred to as Freon (Freon is a registered trademark of Chemours Co.). By compressing and decompressing the liquid you can cause significant temperature drops in the surrounding air that can be blown into an area. This process requires a lot of moving parts that will eventually wear out and need to be replaced at a cost. Cabinet Coolers don’t have that issue, since they use vortex tubes there are no moving parts to wear out. As long as you provide clean dry air to a Cabinet Cooler the system will run indefinitely. Another thing to keep in mind is that although Dichlorodifluoromethane is a safer version of the older CFC’s , the chemical is not completely safe. Freon can be harmful to the environment as it can breakdown ozone, and due to its its density it will displace oxygen and can cause rapid suffocation.
Cabinet Coolers use compressed air, air which we breath and is all around us. So, no hazards with its energy source.
How the EXAIR Cabinet Cooler System Works
Lastly, although A/C units are cheaper to run they are much more expensive upfront cost and upkeep cost. This means in the long run it is actually cheaper to use a Cabinet Cooler because it does not have any upkeep cost for maintenance and repairs, along with being much cheaper to begin with.
EXAIR’s Cabinet Coolers are currently on promotion – receive a free AC Sensor with the purchase of any Cabinet Cooler.
Take advantage of our promo today!
If you have any questions or want more information on EXAIR’s Cabinet Coolers or like products. Give us a call, we have a team of application engineers ready to answer your questions and recommend a solution for your applications.
Cody Biehle Application Engineer EXAIR Corporation Visit us on the Web Follow me on Twitter Like us on Facebook
