Kooltronic Blog

Did you know that the temperature inside an electrical enclosure can reach over 130°F? These extreme temperatures far exceed the capacity of a comfort cooling unit. This heat must be removed to prevent sensitive electronic components from operational impairment or, worse yet, total failure and downtime of the controlled process.

An enclosure air conditioner (for electrical panels, control cabinets, etc.) is unique. It differs considerably from the “comfort cooling” units used in homes and buildings. While both are intended to maintain certain temperatures, there are several key differences.

 

Frequency of Operation

The air conditioning system in your home or office building may only operate for three or four months out of the year, while enclosure air conditioners may be tasked with operating every day of the year.

Temperature Range

The special-purpose air conditioning units that cool enclosures will operate at as low as -20°F ambient and continue to provide reliable cooling. Comfort cooling air conditioners, on the other hand, are not designed to operate below 60°F as this would cause the units to freeze and fail.

Design & Durability

Enclosure air conditioners are superior in design compared to their comfort cooling counterparts. Since they are specialized for industrial environments, enclosure cooling units are often subject to dust, dripping liquids, rain, washdown, corrosive atmospheres, and periods of motion or vibration. Accordingly, enclosure AC units are constructed with long-lasting electrical components, high-quality motors, and an outer cabinet that can resist corrosion, and withstand severe environmental conditions.

By contrast, window air conditioners are designed for the consumer market and are therefore manufactured to sell at a lower price point. The design of the window AC units can take advantage of the cheapest available components and construction, such as plastic structural parts, electrical components with reduced reliability, and cabinets using thin gauge metal. Additionally, they are only rated for outdoor use, installed in relatively benign environments, and may contain parts that will deteriorate when exposed to corrosive atmospheres or liquids.

Special Certifications & Designations

Enclosure air conditioners typically carry agency markings such as UL (Underwriters Laboratories), which tests and certifies products for safety. The NEMA (National Electrical Manufacturers Association) rating signifies the air conditioner’s ability to withstand certain environmental conditions, and should be matched to the enclosure or cabinet being cooled. For additional information about NEMA ratings and enclosure cooling, please read Everything You Need to Know About NEMA Ratings When Cooling an Enclosure.




Reliability is vital for enclosure cooling products. If a cooling system fails, a key process controller can quickly overheat, causing an entire production line to grind to a halt. Expensive repairs and lost revenue due to unplanned outages can add up quickly. Avoid costly downtime by trusting your next project with the experts at Kooltronic.