Tag: zone 2

New Press Release: Aluminum ATEX Cabinet Cooler Systems

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EXAIR Cabinet Cooler Systems have been providing durable and reliable heat protection for electrical & electronic panels for decades. With no moving parts to wear or electrical components to burn out, as long as you supply them with clean, moisture-free compressed air, they’ll operate darn near indefinitely, maintenance free.

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

Among the options we’ve offered with our Cabinet Cooler Systems are:

  • Three levels of NEMA integrity to suit the environment it’ll be installed in:
    • NEMA 12 (dust tight, oil tight, indoor duty)-for general industrial environments where no liquids or corrosives are present.
    • NEMA 4 (dust-tight, oil-tight, splash-resistant, indoor/outdoor duty)-for wash down areas, outdoor installations, etc. Basically, anywhere the panel could get wet.
    • NEMA 4X (dust-tight, oil-tight, splash-resistant, corrosion-resistant, indoor/outdoor duty)-for NEMA 4 environments where the panel is also exposed to corrosive elements. These are also popular (and oftentimes specified) in food and pharmaceutical uses. We offer them in either 303SS or 316SS.
  • Thermostat Control:
    • Our standard offering is a bimetallic probe thermostat, preset to 95°F (35°C) that gets wired in to the ‘hot’ lead of the Solenoid Valve, which gets plumbed to the compressed air supply line. We have 120VAC, 240VAC, and 24VDC Solenoid Valves.
    • ETC Electronic Temperature Control is a digital system with an LED readout for continuous display of the panel’s internal temperature, and the ability to change the temperature setpoint via push button control. ETC systems come in 120VAC and 240VAC configurations.
  • High Temperature Cabinet Cooler Systems. These are rated for use at ambient temperatures from 125°F to 200°F (52°C to 93°C).
  • Non-Hazardous Purge (NHP) Systems. These are Thermostat controlled, but they provide a slight positive pressure in the enclosure even when the Solenoid Valve is closed. They’re particularly well-suited for dirty environments where contamination could enter through small holes, conduits, etc. that cannot be positively sealed.

Over the last few years, we’ve also offered the NEMA 4 & 4X Cabinet Cooler Systems for UL Classified areas. Our HazLoc Cabinet Cooler Systems are rated for Class I Div 1, Class II Div 1, and Class III areas, and they meet the safety standards published by UL in the United States and Canada.

Our latest offering for hazardous locations is our ATEX Cabinet Cooler Systems. ATEX (an initialization of the French term “ATmosphères EXplosives” (explosive atmospheres) refers to a directive by the European Union aimed at safety in such environments. This month’s EXAIR Press Release details our Aluminum ATEX Cabinet Cooler Systems:

NEMA 4 ATEX Cabinet Cooler System safely cools a panel in a Zone 2 (explosive vapor) area of a battery plant.

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

            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., 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. 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, hazardous location and ATEX applications. 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. Prices start at $1,615.

If you have electrical or electronic panels that need cooling in hazardous environments, EXAIR has safe, durable, and reliable solutions. If you’d like to find out more, give me a call.

Russ Bowman, CCASS

Application Engineer
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ATEX Rated Cabinet Cooler Systems Now Available From EXAIR!

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In 1815, Sir Humphrey Davy patented an oil lamp for use in coal mines, and coincidentally pioneered the movement to provide safe and reliable products for use in explosion-prone environments. In the days before electricity, miners used lamps that burned fuel oil for lighting. The problem with that was, deposits of underground coal are almost always accompanied by methane gas pockets which, when mixed with coal dust in proximity to an open flame, created terrible and deadly explosions. Davy’s design incorporated a brass net around the wick chamber that let the light out, and let oxygen (necessary for combustion of the fuel oil) in, but if methane entered the wick chamber, it’d extinguish the flame and prevent ignition of the gas outside the lamp.

Industrial growth and the proliferation of electricity that (literally) powered it introduced new hazards in a number of industries other than just mining…which grew exponentially through the 19th century, since coal was the main fuel in electric generating plants. As hazards were identified (usually, unfortunately, by a tragic accident), new and safer products were developed, and eventually, industry professionals implemented controls & standards to make sure these new and safer products were designed, manufactured, and used for the prevention of future tragic accidents.

In North America, the National Electrical Code’s (NEC) system of Classes and Divisions specifies requirements of electrical product testing & use to ensure safety in this regard. In 2014, the European Union created the ATEX Directive, which specifies similar (but not identical) requirements, also aimed at mitigating explosion risks in industrial environments. In 2019, EXAIR introduced our HazLoc Cabinet Cooler Systems, which comply with certain NEC requirements, and we just recently introduced ATEX Cabinet Cooler Systems to comply with that directive.

Both the HazLoc (left) and ATEX Cabinet Cooler Systems are available from stock in NEMA 4 and NEMA 4X ratings.

Like our HazLoc Cabinet Cooler Systems, their ATEX counterparts have been subject to stringent UL testing to ensure compliance with the ATEX Directive. They’re approved for use in areas defined by the Directive as:

  • Zone 2 (an atmosphere where a mixture of air and flammable substances in the form of gas, vapour or mist is not likely to occur in normal operation, but if it does occur, will persist for a short period only) and
  • Zone 22 (an atmosphere where a mixture of air and flammable substances in the form of powder or dust is not likely to occur in normal operation, but if it does occur, will persist for a short period only.)

This fall, EXAIR will celebrate 40 years of dedication to safety and efficiency in engineering & manufacturing compressed air products for a wide range of applications. If you’d like to find out how our Cabinet Cooler Systems – or any of our Intelligent Compressed Air Products – can increase safety and efficiency, and lower sound levels for your compressed air usage, give me a call.

Russ Bowman, CCASS

Application Engineer
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