7 More Electrical Cabinet Cooling Tips

Choosing the ideal cooling product early in the electrical cabinet design phase can go a long way toward preventing the need to later retrofit an enclosure with the proper equipment. As a follow-up to our previous blog post, 7 Cabinet Cooling Tips to Help You Meet Design Challenges, our experts have compiled 7 more tips to help with the enclosure design and cooling device selection process.

The suggestions below will help you design a well-constructed (and well-cooled) electrical enclosure from the beginning and save you time, money, and headaches later.

A “Booster” Can Save Space and Cost

A booster fan located downstream or at the enclosure outlet can draw added cooling power through densely packed components. A booster fan could also permit the use of a packaged blower that is smaller and quieter than originally specified, which would open up more panel space for other use.

Entering Air Needs Exit Room

The cross-section area of the airstream throughout the flow path in the electrical cabinet should be at least equal to the effective air intake area. If this ratio is less, the delivered air may result in "choking." The table below lists the recommended space dimensions that should be available for discharge.

19-inch Front Panel Intake		Circular Fan Intake
3.50" [88.9 mm]	34 sq. in. [219 sq. cm]	6.50" [165.1 mm]	33 sq. in. [213 sq. cm]
5.25" [133.4 mm]	51 sq. in. [329 sq. cm]	8.00" [203.2 mm]	50 sq. in. [323 sq. cm]
7.00" [177.8 mm]	68 sq. in. [439 sq. cm]	9.00" [228.6 mm]	64 sq. in. [413 sq. cm]
8.75" [222.3 mm]	85 sq. in. [548 sq. cm]	9.50" [241.3 mm]	71 sq. in. [458 sq. cm]
10.50" [266.7 mm]	102 sq. in. [658 sq. cm]	10.00" [254.0 mm]	78 sq. in. [503 sq. cm]

Use Ducts for Even Cooling

When used in conjunction with fans or blowers, ventilation ducts can be placed along the sides of an electrical enclosure to help maintain an even internal operating temperature from top to bottom. Multiple duct outlets allow precise control of the location and quantity of air delivered.
Component Location

Where possible, locate heat-sensitive electronic components toward the bottom of the enclosure since the warmest air temperatures will be at the top. Maintain adequate spacing between electrical components within the cabinet to minimize airflow restriction.
Baffles Can Work Wonders

A hot component or an isolated space within the electrical panel may present a problem in an otherwise well-cooled system. In some cases, a baffle can be used to direct airflow within the enclosure and help cool a specific area or component.
Minimize Vibration

All portions of a system will respond to periodic vibratory forces and movement in varying degrees. This movement can occur regardless of the balance or design of the air-moving equipment since any given construction could resonate with any of the driving forces in the blower motor. If the sympathetic vibration level is unacceptable, slight weight change or redistribution will typically alleviate the problem.
Contact Kooltronic for Expert Guidance

With over 65 years of experience, Kooltronic is uniquely qualified to support your enclosure cooling needs. If you need assistance with product sizing and selection, we invite you to try our free enclosure cooling calculator or contact an application specialist.

>> Read Part 1: 7 Cabinet Cooling Tips to Help You Meet Design Challenges

Kooltronic offers an extensive selection of enclosure cooling and airflow products in numerous sizes, capacities, and mounting configurations. Should our standard product offering not meet your requirements, our in-house team of experts will collaborate with you to develop a custom-designed cooling solution tailored to your unique specifications. Don’t wait. Call or click today!