Electrical cabinets need to be cooled to function properly and filter units or fans are a great solution, especially when the ambient temperature is lower than the temperature inside the cabinet. There is not a single solution, but a different cabinet cooler based on the cases. You have to evaluate the pros and cons of the different offers, considering that to cool the electrical cabinets you can opt for a cooling method with natural convection or a cooling method with forced convection. The first is a limited cooling method, perfect to implement when heat loss is minimal. A protective grille equipped with filters is used. The second method, on the other hand, is suitable for clean environments with acceptable external temperatures, and it is chosen for cooling traditional electronic systems. In reality there is also a third solution but it is less used, because it is a suitable method in environments with particularly high temperatures, where chemicals may be present.
Cooling with natural convection
The natural convection cooling method consists in using a pair of filters without a fan, but the effect is often limited. The filters can be installed one in the upper part and one in the lower part of the electrical cabinet, so that the hot air is able to rise upwards by natural convection. The same result can be obtained by placing only a filter in the lower part and a roof fan without a fan on the upper part of the cabinet.
Cooling with forced convection
The forced convection cooling method is the most commonly used, as it is chosen when internal heat loads are greatest. However, there are different configuration methods and the pros and cons must be evaluated according to your needs. The solutions can be:
filter group with fan
- standard in the lower part, with a filter without fan on the upper part;
- in reverse configuration, with a filter without fan positioned in the upper part;
- in standard configuration in the lower part of the cabinet, with a filter with fan in reverse configuration in the upper part;
tower with fan on the top, and filter without fan on the bottom;
internal adjustable fan.
The tower with fan is useful for drawing air from the outside thanks to the filter, thus generating a change of clean air and heat dissipation. This solution can come in handy when some side walls of the cabinet are covered by obstacles.
The internal adjustable fan is a solution that stands out from all the others, but it can come in handy in specific circumstances. The air is not exchanged with the outside, but continues to circulate internally with the use of adjustable fans, in order to distribute the heat and lower the temperature, cooling localized hot spots or diffusing the cold air. The advantage of this solution is that it can be integrated with the configurations listed above, improving the general performance of the system. To implement this method, it is necessary to calculate the required air flow, based on the thermal load inside the electrical cabinet. You must never maintain an internal temperature that is too high, otherwise there is the risk of ruining the components.
How ventilation solutions for cooling in electrical cabinets work
The cooling system for switch cabinets is used to prevent overheating of the electronic control units and to ensure a correct working climate. In this way it is possible to make the environment safe and secure, without giving up any type of comfort. These cooling systems are used when it is not possible to use outside air, when the inside temperature is lower than outside or when the air is particularly oily or full of dust. Electrical cabinet coolers are used to prevent heat loss and, since they are hermetically sealed, they help prevent the accumulation of dust. Excess heat and the presence of dust are two things that can compromise the working environment and ruin the equipment that could last much less time.
Criteria and precautions to consider to choose the right implant
Choosing the right implant can be complicated, especially when you are not an expert in the sector. The first thing to do is ask for help from professionals who will consider particular criteria, such as: the radiating surface of the electrical panel, the assembly requirements and the adequate temperature inside the system based on the outside temperature. There are several precautions that must be taken, both before and after installing the cooling system. During installation it is important to evaluate that there is enough space for the air to circulate correctly inside the electrical panel, so that the thermal energy can be released outside without slowing down. Temperature should never be extremely low, otherwise the functioning of various components could be compromised and the system blocked. After the assembly has been carried out correctly, it must always be ensured that the electrical panel is hermetically closed, otherwise problems could arise with the inflow of outside air.
Also Read: 10 Heating And Cooling Issues Common In Commercial Spaces
