
Enclosure Air Conditioners & Cooling

The internal temperature of electrical enclosure must be closely monitored and controlled in order to protect sensitive equipment housed inside. Electrical equipment is susceptible to high temperatures and can result in shortened life expectancy of critical components and equipment failure. Unwanted heat can come from internal sources ( the components themselves) and external sources (environmental conditions). There are four main methods for enclosure cooling: air conditioners, thermoelectric coolers, compressed air coolers and air-to-air heat exchangers.
Products
More Information about Air Conditioners & Enclosure Cooling Systems
Enclosure Air Conditioners
Enclosure air conditioners use chemical refrigerants, compressors, evaporators, condensers and fans to cool the temperature inside of an enclosure. They create a closed loop system for cooling, which circulates the air inside the enclosure without mixing with outside air.
Enclosure Thermoelectric Coolers
Enclosure thermoelectric coolers are solid-state heat pumps that use the Peltier Effect. This occurs when a direct current (DC) is passed through two different semiconductors, causing one side to get colder while the other side gets hotter. The cold side of the thermoelectric cooler is placed inside the enclosure and the hot side is placed outside the enclosure. Fans are used to circulate cool air throughout the enclosure.
Enclosure Compressed Air AC Coolers
Enclosure compressed air ac coolers are devices that use a compressed, filtered air stream and spin it into a high-speed vortex. This vortex splits the air into a hot stream of air and a cold stream of air. The cold stream is placed into the enclosure which displaces the warm air inside and exhausts it with the hot air stream out of the enclosure.
Enclosure Heat Exchangers
Enclosure heat exchangers or air to air exchangers use a heat pipe filled with a type of refrigerant liquid that boils when absorbing heat from the hot air of the enclosure. The heated vapor moves to the cooler end of the pipe, which is outside of the enclosure, expelling it into cooler ambient air. The vapor is changed back to a liquid and moves back towards the warmer end of the heat pipe to start the process again.
FAQs
What is the cooling capacity of enclosure cooling units?
The cooling capacity of enclosure cooling units can vary widely depending on the specific model and application. The cooling capacity of an enclosure cooling unit is typically measured in BTUs per hour or Watts. It represents the amount of heat that the unit can remove from the enclosure per hour.
What is meant by ambient temperature?
Ambient temperature refers to the temperature of the air or environment surrounding an object or system. In many applications, it is important to measure and control the ambient temperature to ensure proper operation and prevent damage to sensitive components.
Common modifications or accessories that are used to enhance electrical cabinets.
Lighting kits. Lighting kits are often used in outdoor applications. There are many different styles of lighting kits that can be used, but LEDs have become the preferred lighting solution in the past several years.
Pressure switches. Pressure switches operate on a spring and react to the cabinet door opening and closing. They can be used for lights, intrusions alarms and exhaust fans.
Passive air vents. Passive air vents allow natural air circulation to flow through a cabinet providing proper ventilation.
Enclosure fans. Enclosure air fans are used when more ventilation is required. The size of the fan will depend on the size of the enclosure as well as the amount of air that needs to be circulated.
Air conditioners. Air conditioners are used when ambient air circulation is inadequate to cool the cabinet. The air conditioner size will depend on the enclosure size, ambient air temperature and heat generated within the cabinet.
Heaters. Heaters are used when a cabinet is located in areas that may be exposed to cold temperatures.
Locking mechanisms. Locking mechanisms are used to secure cabinets.
Conduit hole seals. Conduit hole seals are used on cabinets that have holes that need to be plugged after conduit has been removed.