Six Common Mistakes to Avoid When Choosing an Enclosure Fan

Electrical cabinet cooling fans and fan trays can be economical and straightforward thermal management solutions in many applications. However, there are several factors that must be considered to achieve optimal enclosure cooling results. You can avoid making common mistakes if you consider the following factors when selecting an enclosure cooling fan.

Account for Dirty Air
Make sure the surrounding environmental air will not bring particulate or dirt into the enclosure. Certain industries like manufacturing and transportation are particularly notorious for dusty air.
Measure Ambient Air Temperature
Be certain that the ambient air temperature is cool enough. Higher ambient air temperatures may not have the ability to adequately remove the heat generated within an electrical cabinet.
Be Aware of Corrosive Environments
Components housed within the enclosure should not be exposed to any detrimental airborne contaminants. Bringing in corrosive air is harmful to sensitive electronics and electrical equipment.
Consider Space Within the Enclosure
If the electrical cabinet is too tightly packed, air movement will be restricted. This will reduce the efficiency of the enclosure cooling fan because cool air needs room to circulate in order to do its job properly.
Be Mindful of Air Flow
Is the cubic feet per minute (CFM) sufficient for the size of the control cabinet? Selecting the appropriate air flow for your enclosure fan will greatly enhance its ability to extract heat and keep electrical components operating at peak efficiency.
Know Your NEMA Rating
Be sure to match the enclosure fan to your enclosure's NEMA rating. Consequently, choosing the wrong NEMA-style cooling fan can compromise the enclosure rating.

Kooltronic, Inc. manufactures a wide variety of NEMA-rated enclosure fans and fan trays, filter fans and blowers to suit almost any cooling application. Contact the experts at Kooltronic to see if an enclosure fan is the right choice for your project!