Tag: electrical cabinet cooling

EXAIR Cabinet Cooler vs. Refrigerant-Based Panel Coolers: Which Is Right for Your Application?

Published on by Jordan T ShouseLeave a comment

Keeping electrical enclosures cool is essential for protecting components, avoiding downtime, and maintaining consistent performance. While both Cabinet Coolers and refrigerant-based panel air conditioners can get the job done, more manufacturers are shifting toward a simpler, more reliable solution like Cabinet Coolers from EXAIR.

Here’s a closer look at how they compare—and why Cabinet Coolers often come out ahead in real-world industrial environments.

What Is a Cabinet Cooler?

Compressed air goes in; cold air comes out of the Vortex Tube and is circulated through the enclosure. The Vortex Tube’s hot flow and the warm exhaust from the enclosure are vented through the Cabinet Cooler’s body.

What Is a Cabinet Cooler?

Cabinet Coolers use compressed air and a vortex tube to create a stream of cold air that circulates inside the enclosure. With no moving parts and a straightforward design, they offer dependable cooling without the complexity of traditional systems.

Why EXAIR Cabinet Coolers Stand Out:

  • Maintenance-free operation
  • No moving parts to fail, leading to long life
  • Compact, lightweight design
  • Installs in minutes
  • Thermostat control options to minimize air use

What Is a Refrigerant-Based Panel Cooler?

Refrigerant-based panel coolers function like a traditional air conditioner, using a compressor and refrigerant to remove heat from the enclosure.

While effective, they introduce added complexity—both in installation and long-term upkeep.

Where Cabinet Coolers Have the Advantage

1. Simplicity That Saves Time

Refrigerant systems require wiring, mounting, and clearance for airflow. Cabinet Coolers, on the other hand, install quickly through a standard knockout and are ready to run with minimal setup.

For operations that can’t afford long installation windows, this simplicity is a major advantage.

2. Virtually Zero Maintenance

One of the biggest hidden costs of refrigerant systems is maintenance—filters clog, fans wear out, and compressors eventually fail.

Cabinet Coolers eliminate those concerns entirely. With no moving parts, there’s nothing to service, replace, or break down.

3. Built for Harsh Environments

Industrial environments aren’t always clean. Dust, oil mist, humidity, and washdowns can quickly degrade traditional panel A/C units.

Cabinet Coolers excel here:

  • No ambient air is pulled into the enclosure
  • Sealed design keeps contaminants out
  • Performs reliably in dirty, wet, or high-vibration conditions

This is where many refrigerant-based systems struggle—and where Cabinet Coolers consistently prove their value.

4. Reliable, No-Downtime Operation

When a refrigerant unit fails, cooling stops—and repairs can be costly and time-consuming.

Cabinet Coolers offer a more rugged, dependable alternative. Their simple design means fewer failure points and more consistent performance over time. Cabinet cooler systems bought over 20 years ago are still in operation to this day.

5. Ideal for Targeted & Intermittent Cooling

Not every application needs a large, continuously running A/C unit. For moderate heat loads or intermittent cooling needs, Cabinet Coolers provide efficient, on-demand cooling—especially when paired with a thermostat control.

Where Refrigerant Systems Still Fit

To be fair, refrigerant-based panel coolers do have their place—particularly in applications with:

  • High, continuous heat loads
  • Large enclosures requiring significant BTU capacity
  • Environments where compressed air is limited or costly

But in many industrial settings, those conditions don’t outweigh the added complexity and maintenance burden. Not to mention the cost to repair and replace after a few years of service.

The Bottom Line

If your priority is reliability, low maintenance, and years of performance in tough environments, Cabinet Coolers from EXAIR offer a clear advantage.

They’re simple to install, built to last, and designed to keep your enclosures cool without the headaches that come with traditional refrigerant systems.

For many manufacturers, that combination isn’t just convenient—it’s a smarter long-term investment.

Jordan Shouse
Application Engineer
E: JordanShouse@exair.com
O: (513) 671‑3322
F: (513) 671‑3363
A: 11510 Goldcoast Dr Cincinnati OH 45249
www.exair.com

Find time on my calendar by scheduling a meeting here.

Utilizing EXAIR Accessories

Published on by jasonkirbyLeave a comment
Accessories

At EXAIR, we take great pride in our Intelligent Compressed Air Products, which are renowned for their efficiency and minimal maintenance requirements, thanks to their design featuring few or no moving parts. While we often highlight these advantages, we also do not want to overlook the importance of the accompanying accessories that enhance our products’ performance. These accessories play a crucial role in ensuring our compressed air solutions maintain their low maintenance and reduced noise levels, further solidifying their compliance with OSHA safety standards.

Compressed air filters and regulators are among the most essential accessories we offer, and we highly recommend their use with all our products, as well as with other brands. The Filter Separator effectively eliminates water, dirt, and rust from your compressed air system, while the 5-micron filter element prevents contaminants from clogging or damaging connected equipment. For more precise and additional filtration, an Oil Removal Filter should be installed downstream of the Filter Separator; it utilizes a 0.03-micron element to remove oil and solid particles. Our Pressure Regulators allow you to set the desired operating pressure, and we advise maintaining the minimum pressure necessary for optimal performance. This not only conserves air but also fine-tunes the efficiency of EXAIR products in various applications.

Good engineering practice calls for point of use filtration and moisture removal, such as that provided by EXAIR Filter Separators.
The Thermostat’s leads (left) are spliced into the Solenoid Valve’s ‘hot’ lead (bottom right), which essentially acts as the automatic temperature controlled ‘on/off’ switch for the Cabinet Cooler System. NEMA 4/4X versions include mounting hardware (top right).

We offer specialized accessories designed to enhance the performance of some of our products. For instance, our Line Vacs are complemented by the Line Vac Hose, while our Cabinet Coolers can be paired with Thermostats and Solenoid Valves. Additionally, we recommend Mufflers for optimal use with our Vortex Tubes. When it comes to our Air Knives, we provide several excellent options. The Universal Air Knife Mounting System offers a straightforward and dependable solution for mounting. For applications requiring longer knives or independent control of airflow sections, our Coupling Bracket Kits are ideal. Lastly, our Air Knife Plumbing Kits simplify the plumbing process for Air Knives exceeding 24 inches in length.

For those looking to connect Intelligent Compressed Air Products, we offer a range of compressed air hoses and fittings designed to enhance the convenience of installation. Coiled Hoses are an excellent match for our Safety Air Guns, providing greater mobility during operation. Additionally, our Compressed Air Hoses are frequently utilized with our Industrial Housekeeping products, ensuring that both the drum and dolly have the necessary reach for effective use.

Model 9256 6″ Stay Set Hose

If you are looking for an effective solution to mount or position your Air Nozzles, consider our Magnetic Bases, Stay Set Hoses, and Swivel Fittings, which can be combined to create a comprehensive setup.

If you have questions about our accessories, or anything regarding EXAIR and our products, please do not hesitate to reach out.

Jason Kirby
Application Engineer
Email: jasonkirby@exair.com
Twitter: @EXAIR_jk

UL Classified Explained

Published on by jasonkirbyLeave a comment

A UL Classified mark from UL Solutions signifies that a product has undergone testing for specific hazards or performance criteria under controlled conditions, rather than having completed a thorough and comprehensive safety evaluation. This classification is particularly relevant for industrial equipment, construction materials, and products designed to withstand fire, such as fire-resistant doors. It is important to understand that while a UL Classified mark indicates a level of safety and performance, it does not equate to a full UL Listing, which involves more extensive testing and evaluation processes. Therefore, products bearing the UL Classified mark should be viewed as having met certain safety standards, but users should remain aware of the limitations of this certification in terms of overall safety assurance.

Key Aspects of UL Classified Products

  • Targeted Evaluation — Targeted evaluation focuses on assessing specific characteristics, such as fire resistance, toxicity, and impact resistance, rather than adhering to comprehensive safety standards. This approach allows for a more precise understanding of a material’s performance in critical areas, ensuring that essential safety aspects are thoroughly examined.
  • Specific Usage — These products are designed for particular environments or applications, including hazardous areas, explosive settings, or specialized construction projects.
  • Distinction from Listed – Classified products differ from UL Listed products in that they are not subjected to the same rigorous safety evaluations. While UL Listed items are assessed for comprehensive safety standards, Classified products only comply with a subset of these requirements.
  • Labeling — Labeling typically features a statement that clarifies the limited scope of the evaluation, such as indicating that it is “Classified with respect to” a particular property. It is essential to adhere to the specified language when crafting responses and to consider any relevant modifiers without explicitly mentioning them.

Many of our products are UL Listed or UL Recognized; however, the Hazardous Location Cabinet Cooler Systems undergo additional evaluation to confirm their safety when utilized correctly in classified environments. UL Classified provides various levels of certification. These cooler systems are specifically engineered for use with purged and pressurized systems in designated hazardous locations.

Class I Div 1, Groups A, B, C, and D
Class II Div 1, Groups E, F, and G
Class III

If you have questions about our UL classification, or anything regarding EXAIR and our products, please do not hesitate to reach out.

Jason Kirby
Application Engineer
Email: jasonkirby@exair.com
Twitter: @EXAIR_jk

What’s So Great About Thermostat Control for EXAIR Cabinet Cooler Systems?

Published on by Russ BowmanLeave a comment

EXAIR Cabinet Cooler Systems are a durable & reliable way to protect electrical enclosures (and the components they contain) from heat damage. All you need is compressed air…

Compressed air goes in; cold air comes out of the Vortex Tube and is circulated through the enclosure. The Vortex Tube’s hot flow and the warm exhaust from the enclosure are vented through the Cabinet Cooler’s body.

…and as long as the cooling capacity of the Cabinet Cooler System is equal to or greater than the heat load of the enclosure, everyone’s happy, right?

Well, almost. I mean, it’s great that the vital components inside the enclosure aren’t getting too hot, but if it’s getting colder than it needs to be inside, then you’re using compressed air when you don’t have to. And compressed air is EXPENSIVE.

If you’re talking to an EXAIR Application Engineer about panel cooling, we’re going to talk about Thermostat Control too. We have two options for that:

Thermostat, optional Mounting Bracket & Locknut, and Solenoid Valve (120VAC, 240VAC, or 24VDC)

Thermostat Control consists of a bimetallic probe-type Thermostat, spliced in to the ‘hot’ lead of a Solenoid Valve that’s plumbing into the compressed air supply of the Cabinet Cooler. These come preset at 95°F (35°C), which is based on the 104°F (40°C) temperature limit published by many manufacturers of electrical & electronic components. The setpoint temperature CAN be lowered (at the factory or in the field) if any particular component(s) need a cooler environment to operate in. It can also be raised, if everything in the enclosure can handle a higher temperature. THAT can save a good amount of compressed air (which, again, is EXPENSIVE.)

Operation is pretty simple: when the temperature starts to rise inside the enclosure, two dissimilar metal strips that are bonded together inside the thermostat start to thermally expand. Because they’re made of different metals, they expand at different rates, which makes the strips bend until they contact. This completes the electrical circuit to the Solenoid Valve’s coil, opening the valve to start operation of the Cabinet Cooler. As the temperature subsides and cold air flows into the enclosure, the two metal strips contract & straighten out, detaching the strip and the contact, which causes the Solenoid Valve to close, until temperature rises to the setpoint again.

EXAIR’s ETC Electronic Temperature Control provides the same function, but with some notable advantages:

EXAIR NEMA 4X 316SS Cabinet Cooler System with Electronic Temperature Control is installed on a control panel in a pharmaceutical plant.
  • A Type J Thermo couple is wired to a solid state temperature controller to sense & control the temperature. It’ll hold +/- 1°F of the setpoint temperature, as opposed to the +/-2°F accuracy range for the bimetallic Thermostat.
  • The LED readout provides constant indication of the temperature inside the enclosure. Personnel can verify, at a glance, that proper cooling is being applied. This is of great benefit to users who regularly monitor & log readings like this on enclosures with critical equipment inside, like nuclear power plants.
  • Push button control allows for on-the-fly adjustment of the setpoint temperature. This, along with the +/-1°F accuracy range, allows users to precisely set the desired temperature to a point just slightly under the maximum rating for the electronics, which, as mentioned above, can result in a reduction in compressed air consumption and hence, operating cost.
  • There’s also a calibration offset feature, which is handy if the Cabinet Cooler System is being installed on an enclosure with other temperature sensing equipment. This uses the push button controls to match the displayed temperature on the ETC to that of the existing equipment. It can also be used to verify the calibration of the ETC, which is another great benefit to users responsible for maintaining critical equipment.

As an EXAIR Application Engineer, it’s my goal to help you get the most out of our products, and your compressed air system. A big part of that is making sure you don’t use any more compressed air than you have to. If you’re ready to start saving, give me a call.

Russ Bowman, CCASS

Application Engineer
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