Tag: dissipate

Choosing the Right EXAIR Cabinet Cooler System

Published on by Jordan T ShouseLeave a comment

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.
  • Hazardous Location (HazLoc): UL Classified for Class I Div 1, Class II Div 1, or Class III areas or ATEX Zones 2 & 22. Used in environments with explosive gases or dust, such as chemical plants or coal facilities. Must be paired with a purge and pressurization system.
  • 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.

Jordan Shouse, CCASS

Application Engineer

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Customized Cooling

Published on by Brian FarnoLeave a comment

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 our Cabinet 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, or contact an Application Engineer today. In that case, we can size the system while we are talking on the phone with you.

Brian Farno
Application Engineer
BrianFarno@EXAIR.com
@EXAIR_BF

Product Overview – Gen4 Ion Air Gun

Published on by exaircorpLeave a comment

Within industrial processes, static electricity can lead to a variety of problems like printing errors, harmful shock, damaged product or shorted life for electrical components. EXAIR offers a wide range of static eliminating products that can help control this nuisance and restore material to an electrically balanced state.

When it comes to a static causing problems with a manual operation, our Gen4 Ion Air Gun is the preferred choice. The Gen4 Ion Air Gun incorporates a thumb trigger air gun with an ionizer attached to deliver a bulk of positive and negative ions to quickly eliminate the surface charge of a material, up to 5kV in only 0.18 seconds, when operated at 80 PSIG.

Easy to use, effective static elimination

The Model # 8193 Gen4 Ion Air Gun is shipped from stock with a 10′ flexible armored and electromagnetic shielded cable to protect against potential damage in an industrial setting. (special length cables up to 50′ are available if needed).  The cable assembly can also be easily removed for cleaning or replacing of the stainless steel emitter point, allowing for worry free, proper operation.

Here is a short video showing how to change the emitter point:

The Gen4 Ion Air Gun is UL recognized for the US and Canada and CE compliant, meeting the product requirements for items being sold in European markets. It also meets 2 important OSHA directives relating to the safe use of compressed air. The first being OSHA Standards 29 CFR 1910.242(b), requiring that the outlet pressure of an open pipe, nozzle, air gun, etc., when used for cleaning purposes, must remain below 30 PSI when dead-ended. The second being Standard 29 CFR 1910.95(a), protecting workers from potential injury related to dangerous sound levels of 90 dBA or higher. Additionally, the Gen4 Ion Air Gun is RoHS compliant as well.

Model # 7960 and Model # 7961 Gen4 Power Supplies – 115VAC or 230VAC, fuse protection, modular cable

They are designed to be used with our Gen4 Power Supplies, Model # 7960 with 2 outlets or the Model # 7961 with 4 outlets for powering multiple ionizers. The Gen4 Power Supplies are selectable voltage, 115VAC or 230VAC, and feature a 6′ modular power cord and lighted power switch.

To discuss how the Gen4 Ion Air Gun or any of our other products can help solve your process needs, give me a call at 800-903-9247.

Justin Nicholl
Application Engineer
justinnicholl@exair.com
@EXAIR_JN

 

 

EXAIR Static Eliminators Surpass Passive Static Eliminators

Published on by Brian FarnoLeave a comment

The question comes up quite a bit around this time of year as to why an EXAIR Static Eliminator is better than using a passive static eliminator to eliminate the static.   To further the explanation of a passive static eliminator, it is typically called static tinsel and is found in a variety of forms. Passive eliminators are grounded wire or strap and must come in contact with the surface of a part in order to dissipate the static charge on only that surface.  This is generally found in the form of a bare wire or some type of conductive material (copper) that is strung across the path of your parts and must come into contact with the surface of your part.   A conductive material bar is shown below.

Passive Static Eliminating Bar
Passive Static Eliminating Bar

In order for this to eliminate the static on the part you must have the fabric actually contact the surface of your part.   There are several points that this can cause an issue, the first being this item drags across the surface of your product which can wear the conductive fibers down leading to the eliminators needing to be replaced.   Second, if you have a delicate, printed, or high gloss surface, you may not want anything to touch the surface and risk a blemish.   Third, these can collect dirt and debris which may become transferred to the product.   Last, complicated shapes cannot easily be met with the passive static eliminators, these are only going to work well with flat surfaces.

Active static eliminators, such as the Static Eliminators Product Line from EXAIR offers a variety of ways to actively eliminate the static on a surface without ever touching the product.   These are ideal for delicate surfaces, painted surfaces, complicated shapes, or even flat sheets.  The EXAIR line is available with or without compressed air assist which will not only utilize your compressed air efficiently while eliminating a static charge but also blow the debris or particulate off the part.   Units without compressed air operation can eliminate static charges up to 2″ away from a surface while a unit with compressed air will eliminate static up to 20′ away.

A Sample of EXAIR Static Eliminators
A Sample of EXAIR Static Eliminators

 

Because the units do not contact the parts there is no need for being concerned about contamination being transferred to the part, the eliminators will not wear down from dragging across a part or surface. EXAIR static eliminators are also low maintenance products.

To top it all off EXAIR will honor a 30 day guarantee to test the products in your facility.  As well as honor a 5 year built to last warranty on compressed air products and a 1 year warranty on any electrical component.

If you would like to eliminate your static problems, contact us. 

Brian Farno
Application Engineer
BrianFarno@EXAIR.com
@EXAIR_BF