Kooltronic Blog

Most enclosure air conditioners are designed to be mounted vertically, on the side of an electrical panel or control cabinet. Sometimes, however, certain applications or environmental obstacles can make it difficult to mount an AC unit in the ideal location. Therefore, it is important to consider a few helpful tips before the installation process begins as this will ensure optimal air conditioner performance and help avoid potential issues. Here are some key factors to keep in mind before installing an enclosure air conditioner:

 

1. A Door to New Possibilities
   
   A control cabinet may have a single door or a double door front, and while manufacturers do offer door-mount air conditioners, one must first consider the weight of the air conditioning unit and the stability of the enclosure. If mounting onto a control cabinet door, it is important to make sure the hinges can support the additional weight, especially when the doors are open. Also, the center of gravity will be affected, so it is important to make sure the enclosure footing can accommodate the change and will not tip over.
   
   
2. You’re Out of Your Depth
   
   Sometimes the depth of the enclosure may limit available mounting space for an appropriate capacity air conditioning unit. Shallow electrical enclosures are more common in the industry today because they save space and reduce costs, but they also increase the challenge of mounting an appropriately sized air conditioner. Luckily, specialized AC units, such as the SlimKool Series Narrow Width Air Conditioner, are designed to fit on the side of 12-inch cabinets.
   
   
   SlimKool Series Narrow-Width Air Conditioners for NEMA 4 & NEMA 4X enclosures.



3. Don’t Top Believing
   
   In certain applications, the top of an enclosure may be the only available space to install a cooling unit. Top-mounted enclosure air conditioners are available, but it is important to consider potential condensation issues. Extra care should always be taken to make sure the internal components housed below the cooling unit remain protected. Kooltronic top-mount air conditioners are designed to limit condensation through built-in evaporators and to direct any condensation that may exist away from the enclosure.



4. Between a Rack and a Hard Place

   Some cabinet air conditioners have been specially designed for EIA 19-inch racks. These rack-mount enclosure AC units are installed on the existing rails typically found in the telecommunications industry (i.e. computer rooms and data centers). In these applications, side-mount enclosure cooling units are not practical. Rack-mounted air conditioners, such as the 5,000 BTU/H Kooltronic RML model pictured left, can address the unique installation and airflow requirements of data storage centers.

    

5. Follow Instructions
   
   Regardless of the mounting location, always read the enclosure air conditioner manufacturer’s installation instructions for recommended mounting procedures, hardware, safety precautions, and any maintenance requirements. If necessary, consult a qualified HVAC professional to ensure proper installation and operation of the enclosure cooling unit.

A properly sized, well-designed, and correctly installed enclosure air conditioner can provide many years of efficient, reliable cooling to critical systems. By giving some thought to the mounting location of your cabinet cooling unit before the installation process, you can save yourself a lot of time and money. If you have any questions about sizing or selecting the right AC for your enclosure, please consult our Enclosure Cooling Calculator or contact the experts at Kooltronic.