PTF1200 Top Mount Filterfan
Ian Johnston

Pfannenberg USA Introduces the PTF 1200 High CFM Top Mount Filterfan®

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PTF 1200 Intro Graphic

We are proud to introduce our new PTF 1200, an industry leading high CFM top mount filter fan designed to redefine cooling solutions for various industries. This compact yet powerful innovation boasts an unimpeded airflow rate of up to 589 CFM, making it a game-changer in the realm of cooling solutions.

The PTF 1200’s exceptionally high heat removal capacity is matched by its durability, featuring a robust full metal housing enclosure that ensures longevity, even in challenging environments. With a protection class of IP 54/NEMA 12, this top-mounted filter fan guarantees effective protection against dust, dirt, and moisture, maintaining optimal performance under diverse conditions.

One of the standout features of the PTF 1200 is its energy-efficient EC centrifugal fan, delivering optimum airflow and uniform temperature distribution. Its energy-efficient centrifugal fan translates to low power consumption, contributing to sustainability efforts.PTF1200 Top Mount Filterfan

The PTF 1200’s long service life is due to its EC fan, which provides a soft start and stop, reducing wear and tear on vital parts. The result is an impressive 70,000-hour average lifetime which is also complemented by the ease of filter changes, reducing maintenance costs and downtime. Filter replacements don’t require skilled labor and are quick, ensuring minimal downtime during servicing and making it an ideal choice for maintenance managers seeking efficiency.

The convenience of the unit is further elevated by its compact size, saving valuable space without compromising on cooling efficiency. Unlike traditional top mounts that often require expensive palletized shipping, the PTF 1200 ships in an easily transportable cardboard box, directly to your door, minimizing costs and delivery times.

Designed with the end-user in mind, the PTF 1200 comes with 4 mounting through holes in the cabinet. This eliminates the need for advanced cut-outs during installation, providing easy mounting options and allowing users to achieve a quick install.

The introduction of the PTF 1200 unlocks a new configuration of filter fans for the market, addressing the unique needs of purchasing agents, electrical engineers, project managers, and maintenance managers. This top-mounted filter fan offers a higher airflow rate than side mounts, ensuring efficient heat removal and surpassing competitors with its airflow range.  The industry leading airflow allows for the possibility of using a passive system in lieu of a small air conditioner, yielding substantial energy savings and reducing costs. Its ease of installation and cost-effective shipping make it an attractive solution for professionals seeking high-performance cooling solutions.

 

Click here for the PTF 1200 product flyer.

Outdoor Filterfan
Ian Johnston

Selecting a Filter Fan for Outdoor Applications

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What are filter fans?Image of Filter fan application and exhaust filter on an enc;losure with the air flow.

Filter fans protect electrical enclosures from external environmental damage. From heat control to mitigating the ingress of liquid and solid objects, filter fans provide another layer of protection for the electrical equipment housed within enclosures. Filter fans protect critical equipment by reducing thermal load and filtering out airborne particles larger than 5 microns. The dual fan and filter composition keeps electrical equipment running at optimal temperatures while mitigating the amount of dust and other particulate matter from causing buildup and damage.

When selecting a filter fan for an enclosure, it’s important to consider the application’s heat load, optimal temperature, and environmental conditions in which it will be operating. Environmental considerations are particularly important for outdoor enclosures, as rain, snow, ice, and sunlight all pose risks to electrical equipment.

Challenges for outdoor applications

Filter fans are necessary for a wide range of outdoor electrical equipment. Some applications, however,  require intentionality and extra consideration when choosing the appropriate filter fan. These include irrigation pump panels, water and waste water, lighting control boxes for traffic signals or fields and stadiums, outdoor communication and information technology structures, energy storage and charging systems (such as in electric vehicles), and transportation systems, including bridges, toll stations, and electrical rail equipment.

When properly designed and integrated, outdoor filter fans can provide an energy efficient solution for heat load maintenance while also protecting enclosures from dust, ice, water, and sunlight. However, many filter fans on the market do not effectively protect critical electrical equipment. When improperly designed, filter fans can be subject to ice and dust buildup or damage from UV radiation and rainwater. These conditions can cause short circuiting within the enclosure. While there are workarounds for water infiltration, such as adding a rainhood, these additional steps increase space requirements and initial investment costs.

Tips for selecting the correct filter fan for outdoor applications

Given these challenges, there are some tips to keep in mind when selecting a filter fan for an outdoor electrical enclosure.

Consider heatload and environment

Selecting an outdoor filter fan begins with determining the application’s heatload and airflow requirements while considering environmental exposure. Electrical enclosures in dry, hot weather require different filter fan needs than those used in areas with snow, ice, and highly variable temperatures. For applications where environmental conditions cannot be determined ahead of time, a filter fan that can accommodate each of these possibilities is best.

While determining application needs, it is beneficial to consult with an expert to help determine specific risk factors. An expert can help with considerations around which airborne particulates are present and if they are corrosive, as well as what ambient temperatures can be expected and how direct or indirect sunlight can affect operating temperatures.

Outdoor Rated Filterfan ApplicationThe Pfannenberg Outdoor Rated Filterfan® (NEMA 3R rated) is designed for outdoor weather where direct sunlight and extreme weather, like rain and ice formation, are important factors. This filter fan utilizes UV-resistant plastics to prevent premature degradation from direct sunlight. Additionally, the filter fan’s design protects against the ingress of falling dirt, rain, sleet, snow, and even external ice formation.

Weigh maintenance needs

Filter fans generally require little maintenance outside of regular filter replacement. However, it is crucial to change the filter as specified by the manufacturer as filter clogs reduce airflow, causing extra strain on the fan and increasing the potential for overheating.

Well-designed filter inserts, including the filter for Pfannenberg’s Outdoor Rated Filterfan® described above, provide longer service life. Pfannenberg’s fluted filter-mat enables longer mean time between maintenance, delivering three times longer service life than standard designs. It accomplishes this with its increased dust holding capacity. As a result, the need for service is reduced, saving maintenance time, costs, and stress, which is especially helpful for electrical enclosures located in remote areas.

Balance protection, airflow, and initial investment costs

Filter fans for outdoor applications require a design that balances airflow optimization with low initial investment. A filter design that minimizes maintenance needs should also ensure unrestricted airflow throughout the fan’s service life. However, it must do so without compromising on water and dust protection capabilities. Combining a filter that fits these needs with a filter fan housing design that does not require metal rain hoods, achieves an excellent balance of protection, airflow management, and minimizing upfront costs.

Conclusion

Filter fans are critical for protecting electrical equipment from overheating, water, and airborne debris so the equipment can run safely and efficiently. In outdoor environments, this task is particularly challenging. Finding a filter fan suitable for outdoor environments without significant drawbacks requires careful research. By considering heatload, environmental conditions, and maintenance needs before selecting a filter fan, it is possible to keep costs low. In applications ranging from pump panels and lighting control boxes to communication technology and energy storage systems, well-designed filter fans keep outdoor electrical equipment functional and safe.

Ian Johnston

Why is a Thermal Mangement Plan for Enclosures Important?

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Thermal Management Plan for Electrical Enclosures 

Manufacturing facilities have many electrical enclosures housing hundreds of thousands of dollars in high performance drives and electronics that are critical to production processes.  These critical electrical components generate a significant amount of heat and if not managed properly the high heat leads to premature aging and eventually failure, shutting down systems and resulting in downtime.  No manufacturing facility can afford downtime.

 

While having thermal management for your enclosures is important, having the correct cooling technology for your specific application that takes into account the cooling requirements and the ambient conditions is critical  The considerations to appropriate thermal management include heat load, ambient temperature range, the presence of particulates or debris, enclosure location and material among others.  Unfortunately, most manufacturing facilities lack a proper Thermal Management Plan to protect and extend the life of their equipment.  As a result, manufacturers suffer significant financial losses each year as a result of enclosures overheating. In many cases, this is preventable with a well-designed Thermal Management Plan.

Pfannenberg can Help Develop a Thermal Management Plan

Pfannenberg has over 65 years of experience keeping enclosures cool with our thermal management solutions and working with manufacturers to reduce costs and improve up time.  A good thermal management plan starts with a plant survey or thermal audit to evaluate the needs of the specific facility. Our Service and Support team offers a number of programs to gather the required information to determine if the correct cooling technology is in place and functioning properly to meet the needs of that particular facility.  A thermal management program from Pfannenberg can help:

Dirty Inside of Unit

  • Verify that the sizing of the A/C meets the thermal loads of your enclosures.
  • Reduce electrical costs caused by poorly maintained air conditioners.
  • Create a Preventive Maintenance plan specifically for your team and facility to keep industrial cooling(A/C) running.
  • Provide the correct thermal technology for challenging applications.
  • Identify critical equipment and put steps in place to reduce lost production time.

If you want to reduce the amount of unscheduled downtime due to enclosure overheating and extend the life of expensive drives, electronics, and industrial air conditioners reach out to us.  Either at service@pfannenbergusa.com or submit a request here.

 

 

 

Ian Johnston

Get Ready for Summer! 3 Steps to Prepare Your Enclosure Cooling Units for the Stress of the Summer Heat

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Don’t Wait Until it’s Too Late!

With the summer heat just around the corner we want to help you prepare your electronics enclosure cooling units to stay up and running.

We put this Preventative Maintenance Video together to help you get ready.

Avoid critical component failures by following these 3 simple steps to ensure your enclosure cooling units stay up and runing all summer.

STEP 1: Make Sure Your Condenser Coils are Clean

The condenser coils are one of the most important components of your Cooling Unit, they ensure the reliable, cost efficient and long-term operation of your unit. When dirt, dust or debris builds up on your condenser coils, it can have a major negative effect on the performance of your cooling unit leading to increased run time and energy consumption.

STEP 2: Check Your Fan Motors and Inside/Outside Electrical Components

In order to prevent failure, the cooling unit’s fan motor and fan blades need to be inspected to determine wear and damage.  All the electrical components in the control box also need to be checked to make sure all connections aren’t damaged or loose.

STEP 3: Set Your Unit to the Recommended Proper Temperature

Pfannenberg sets the dip-switches on the control board to 95°F/35°C in the factory, and recommends that the dip switch settings are not altered.

Having the dip-switch temperature set to a lower point can cause damage not only to the cooling unit, but to the enclosure as well.  Changing the set point can cause the cooling unit to run excessively, possibly causing damage to the compressor and other components.  It can also cause the enclosure to produce condensate, possibly damaging electrical components inside the cabinet.

Watch the Full Video Now!

Contact us for recommended spare parts or getting your orders in now for new or replacement cooling units.

Edge computing graphic
Ian Johnston

Thermal Management Protection Solutions For Edge Computing Environments

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By Jonathan LaPorta, Pfannenberg USA

Select the right option to ensure continuous operation of senstive electronics

Edge computing – placing application logic as close to the source of data as possible – reduces latency, optimizes bandwidth usage, and minimizes costs, all while increasing visibility and control, speeding up processing, and enhancing user experience. The challenge is that enclosures used to protect distributed computer equipment from the immediate environment oftentrap heat generated by the electronics. Read on to learn about thermal protection solutions that ensure continuous operation of sensitive electronics in edge computing environments.

Edge computing graphic

 

Benefits of Edge Computing Fuels Explosive Growth

The adoption of edge computing is accelerating for mission-critical computer components in factories, warehouses, retail stores, hospitals, and college campuses – and indeed in most other sectors. The explosive growth is fueled by megatrends like digitization, the internet of things (IoT), and automation.

Key examples include high-definition video cameras that generate masses of data; machine vision systems used in manufacturing to perform imaging-based automatic inspections; hospitals, which have to store and process medical sensor data and digital health records; and warehouses and retail stores running inventory and point-of-sale systems.

All that data needs to be processed somewhere, and it is usually much faster and more efficient to do it close to the edge where people and things produce and use that information. Keeping and processing data at the edge can also enhance reliability, security, and privacy by minimizing the transmission of sensitive information and exposure to network failures and malicious attacks.

 

Protecting Distributed Components is Critical

In edge computing environments, computing equipment is located outside of a climate-controlled data center. Servers and networking gear are often placed in crowded factory floor spaces, up in warehouse rafters, or in closets. They may be located in inhospitable environments, with high ambient temperatures, or dust- and oil-filled air. That is why distributed computer equipment is typically placed in enclosures for protection. Unfortunately, the enclosures themselves trap heat generated by the electronics, so they require protection from overheating.

 

Simple, Proven Cooling Solution 

A variety of cooling methods have proven effective for thermal management of electrical enclosures. Filter fans are an economical solution when the ambient temperature is always lower than the temperature required by the computer components inside. One example is Pfannenberg’s new Datawind Filterfan®, which has a temperature indicator and is mounted externally to the enclosure to enable full use of all racks within the bays.

 

More Challenging Cooling Applications 

Some applications require enclosures specially designed for challenging environments, from weather and impact-resistant outdoor enclosures to tightly sealed stainless steel enclosures for food production facilities that must withstand high pressure cleaning.

A closed loop cooling system is required when the interior air of the electrical enclosure must be protected from the exterior environment. Air to air technology is one of the more energy efficient technologies to use when there is a temperature difference between the internal target temperature and the surrounding temperature (∆T≥10°C). Pfannenberg’s Kinetic System™ (PKS) Series Air to Air Heat Exchangers remove heat from inside of the enclosure to the cooler environment using the least amount of energy while still providing a closed loop ingress protection.

If the electronics generate a high heat load and/or the ambient air is too warm to provide adequate cooling, an active cooling system such as the Pfannenberg DTS Series of side mounted cooling units may be required. These air conditioning systems utilize a compressor for cooling in a closed loop design that isolates the interior of the enclosure from the exterior environment.

Ideal for extremely demanding industrial and outdoor applications, Pfannenberg’s DTS units provide NEMA 4 level of protection from washdown conditions and caustic air and can operate in ambient temperatures up to 140° F (60° C).

By implementing the optimal cooling solution for distributed components operators can take advantage of edge computing’s many benefits while protecting mission critical IT infrastructure from overheating.

 

Susanne Kuhn

Active and Passive Cooling Methods – A Simple Way to Calculate Cooling Requirements

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By Jon LaPorta, Pfannenberg USA

Here is a simple way to calculate cooling requirements for both active cooling and passive cooling methods.

Active Cooling Rule of Thumb

VFDs are typically sized in horsepower (HP) and cooling systems are measured in British Thermal Units (BTU, or BTU/h for BTU hours). But how do you convert from HP to BTU/h?

Here is the rule of thumb for air condition and water cooling:

75 BTU/h is required for every 1 HP

In other words, for a 100 HP VFD drive, 7500 BTU/h of cooling is required.

This rule of thumb is derived as follows:

  • 3% of the electrical energy in a VFD is converted to heat
  • 1 HP = 746 watts
  • 746 watts x 3% heat loss = 22 watts of heat loss per 1 HP
  • 1 watt = 4 Btu/h
  • 22 watts x 3.4 BTU/h = 75 BTU/h per 1 HP

Passive Cooling Rule of Thumb

For passive cooling solutions, such as the Pfannenberg Datawind Filterfan®, the rule of thumb is

4 CFM is required for every 1 HP to maintain 10°C above ambient in the enclosure

In other words, for a 100 HP drive, 400 CFM is required.

This rule of thumb is derived from the following equation

1 CFM = 1.82 x watts of heat loss / Δ Temp (°C)

 

These rule of thumb guides provide a general guide for selecting a cooling method and for sizing the cooling load requirements. For more precise calculations that account for ambient temperature and humidity and other critical considerations, we provide Pfannenberg Sizing Software at no charge.

By simplifying the calculation of cooling requirements, we hope that the adoption of VFD technology will continue grow rapidly, and that users will benefit from maximum performance and service life.

Marine Vienney

Pfannenberg’s Cooling Units Used to Ensure Efficiency and Uptime in Vaccine Production Settings

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How Cooling units maintain proper operating temperatures for automation system components

Vaccine production requires highly precise temperature and humidity control at all stages of production: manufacturing, packing, and storage. During production of pharmaceuticals, precise temperature control is essential so that temperature fluctuations do not interfere with the manufacturing process. Throughout the process of manufacturing, distributing and storage, it is essential that downtime is eliminated and repair costs are kept to a minimum. To carry this out, vaccine producers relied on Pfannenberg’s cooling units which can operate 24/7 and on the Pfannenberg team, which offers the highest degree of service quality.

Pfannenberg’s DTS 3245 Series Cooling Units have been installed in COVID vaccine production settings to ensure efficiency and maximal uptime by providing critical cooling to electrical components of automation systems in mass vaccine production.

The Pfannenberg DTS 3000 Series cooling units offer superior capacity, more efficient design, and a robust build to ensure a longer service life of the cooling unit. Customizable to pharmaceutical environments like vaccine production, the DTS 3000 Series features a sealed cabinet that provides contaminant-free component cooling without adding heat to the local environment. It provides an excellent economic solution where plant water is available or when used in conjunction with a process chiller.  Its sealed design and available stainless steel, NEMA Type 4/4X construction provides a maintenance free solution with no exposed fans or maintenance of filters required.

The DTS 3000 Series Cooling Units are designed to take up less space while delivering greater cooling capacity. These units boast the highest power to cooling ratio available on the market. These cooling units are built with a sealed, yet “open design,” so critical components can be accessed easily for maintenance purposes. The refrigeration system is totally redesigned with longer and more robust service life in mind helping end-users focus on uptime and prevent disruption in operation.

 

Marine Vienney

Now Available: DTS 34X1C and 36X1C Series Cooling Units – Highest Capacity For Industrial Enclosures

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Are you interested in discovering the latest in high powered, durable, and efficient enclosure cooling technology? We are pleased to announce the launch of the New DTS 34X1C and DTS 36X1C Series Cooling Units which offer many benefits: higher capacity, more efficient design, and an even more robust build for long service life.

The new DTS 34X1C and DTS 36X1C Cooling Units (in replacement of our DTS 34X1 and 36X1 models) feature the highest cooling capacity in the smallest possible footprint.

DTS 34x1-36x1C_group

The DTS 34X1C delivers 1.5ton of cooling capacity at normal operation, and the DTS 36X1C up to 2ton capacity. Both units are designed with the same dimensions and mounting cutout so that they can be easily interchanged depending on cooling demand. They are also backwards compatible with Pfannenberg’s older designs, making them a versatile option for enclosure cooling. The refrigeration system has been totally redesigned, however, to ensure a longer and more robust service life.

The DTS units’ electrical system has been updated to include a smaller and simpler power connecter, which reduces the protrusion of the connecter into the cabinet and in turn frees up valuable real estate. Other features include an easy panel access and a front status LED display, which help to simplify maintenance and lengthen your service intervals. What’s more, these cooling units were built with an “open design” so critical components can be accessed easily during maintenance. These design updates helping end users to focus on uptime and prevent disruptions to operation.

Other features, like active condensate management, coated corrosion resistance condenser coils, and high flow evaporator fans, are designed for success in critical applications.

These units are ideal for high heat loads, especially in high horsepower drive enclosures. They are available in a range of different NEMA or UL Type ratings – 12/3R/4/4X – and different voltages. Soon, options for low ambient, integrated heater, and Modbus connectivity will be available as well.

 

The new DTS 34X1C and 36X1C will replace the old DTS 34X1 and 36X1 models. Please contact your local Pfannenberg Sales representative for availability of the older design or reach out to sales@pfannenbergusa.com for more information.

For more information about the updated DTS cooling units, click here!.

Outdoor Filterfan
Marine Vienney

Tips for Determining What Filter Fan Suits Your Application and Environment

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Select a filter fan appropriate for the electrical equipment in use, cooling demands, and environmental conditions

By Chris Marlow, Solutions Engineer

Filter fans perform a critical task of moving the hot air from within electrical enclosures to the external environment while also protecting equipment from ingress of harmful dust, water, or other materials. Cooling is necessary to protect sensitive electrical components from overheating and becoming damaged. When appropriate, filter fans are a popular choice for this cooling task due to their low energy usage and ease of installation.

The fan component of a filter fan provides this critical thermal protection, while filters keep airborne particles like dust from getting into the enclosures and damaging the equipment inside. Filter fans also help to protect equipment from water, ice, snow, animal ingress, or vandalism, depending on the environment.

Selecting the correct filter fan for a given application requires consideration of that application’s heat load information and what temperatures need to be maintained, as well as the environmental conditions.

Which Filterfan for which application?

Invented in 1958 by Otto Pfannenberg, the original Filterfan® has evolved over the last 50 years to provide protection for electrical enclosures in a variety of applications, specifically, in indoor, outdoor, or extreme environments. Each environment has particular considerations, and so filter fan design is custom-made to match those concerns.

Indoor Use

In indoor environments, filter fans can be used in applications such as test stands in manufacturing facilities, IT racks in data storage applications, or drive enclosures. Indoor filter fans are designed to protect these electrical enclosures using a fan, a filter, and louvers. This design provides needed cooling, protection against airborne particulates, and enables light washdown procedures. Pfannenberg, the company founded by the original Filterfan® inventor of the same name, remains the industry leader in filter fan design. Its indoor Filterfans 4.0 TM feature louvers with wing qualities and a lip at the end help pre-collect dust. Pfannenberg has also created a pleated filter design that provides more surface area with the same filter volume used compared to mesh filters, which allows for more dust to be collected before airflow is constricted.

Outdoor Use

Outdoor filter fans have all of the same design considerations of indoor filter fans, with a focus on cooling and dust collection, but with the added considerations of weather, solar radiation, and animal ingress. Key applications for outdoor filter fans include battery storage, such as for solar panels, and pump stations with enclosed pumps. In these and other outdoor filter fan applications, enclosures protect electrical equipment from weather, animals, and other possible damage, but introduce cooling requirements in order to keep equipment close to ambient temperatures. Outdoor filter fans must therefore be designed like indoor ones, but with added protection against outdoor hazards. Pfannenberg’s 3R Filterfans® for outdoor use protect against heavy rain with water pathways and drain holes that are designed to draw water away from the fan instead of accumulating and causing flooding. This design, along with added seals, also protects against hazardous ice formation. Finally, the outdoor-specific 3R Filterfans® are designed with UV-resistant materials to avoid the degradation than can happen to unprotected plastics in the sun.

Extreme Environments

Though the outdoor filter fan design can cope with significant weather-related hazards, some environments, both indoors and outdoors, are simply too extreme for the above filter fan designs. These cases include industrial food processing or bakery applications where high pressure washdowns are necessary. It also includes outdoor applications in regions with significant snow accumulation that could block airflow, and enclosures that might be subject to vandalism, among others. In these cases, the addition of a rainhood provides the additional protection necessary to ensure uninterrupted filter fan and electrical component operation. The rainhood’s metal shell provides solid protection against breaking, hides the filter fan from vandalism, provides another barrier against the entrance of water in washdown procedures, and prevents snow from accumulating in the path of airflow. Pfannenberg’s Filterfan® + Rainhood combination is the market-leading solution for use in extreme environments.

Tips for selecting the correct filter fan

Given all of the environmental and application considerations, there are a number of tips to keep in mind when selecting a filter fan for any given environment.

Determine if a filter fan is a viable option

The first step should always be to determine whether a filter fan is the correct cooling and protection solution for a given application. Answering “yes” to all three of the following questions means that a filter fan is likely a good cooling solution:

  • Is the ambient temperature lower than the desired temperature within the enclosure?
  • Is the environment free of corrosive airborne particulates and gases?
  • Is the heat load within the range for which a filter fan can provide adequate cooling?

This third question, of course, leads into the next tip, since it might not be possible to determine whether the heat load is suitable for a filter fan right away.

Assess application needs

The next critical step is to collect as much information as is possible about the application, the enclosure size, the components inside enclosure, the temperature these components should be maintained at, any environmental hazards (sun, rain, snow, animals, etc.), and what the environment’s temperature range is. Additionally, other considerations like clearance requirements, washdown procedures, foot traffic around the filter fan, or other similar considerations should be noted. These considerations will help to determine not only the appropriate size, flow rate, and type of filter fan to use, but also helps to determine whether a metal rainhood is required and how the filter fan(s) should be configured.

Consult an expert

It is critically important to gather the information described in the last tip because cooling experts need that information to be able to specify the correct filter fan for each application. More information translates into better overall suitability for the application, and therefore the greatest assurance of balancing protection and cooling with cost efficiency and minimal maintenance. At Pfannenberg, experts analyze this information using specialized software to determine the appropriate size, flow rate, configuration, and environmental protections for the application’s ideal filter fan. Pfannenberg manufactures Filterfans® in seven different flow rates and several different sizes, and can configure these with a single exhaust, two exhausts, or with a fan in and fan out, depending on the application’s specific demands.

Consulting with experts not only ensures a right-sized solution that will ideally balance airflow, protection from the environment, and cost; doing so also helps to ensure that the filter fan will keep electrical components free from water and dust, and properly cooled, in order to extend the lifespan of those components. If a filter fan is too small, the components could overheat, leading to early failures, unplanned downtime, and additional cost. If a filter fan rated for indoor use is used outside, ice buildup or sun exposure could lead to broken seals and dangerous water incursion into the electrical enclosure.

When configured properly, the only maintenance required for filter fans is regular filter replacement to ensure that a consistent flowrate and cooling capacity can be maintained. The lifespan of a filter depends on the application –a bakery with fine dust requires more frequent filter changes than most manufacturing test stand applications – so experts should be consulted to determine the ideal maintenance schedule for each application.

Conclusion

Filter fans are critical to protecting electrical equipment from overheating, water, and airborne debris so that the equipment can continue to run safely and efficiently. Finding a filter fan suitable to each particular application and environment requires careful research and the assistance of experts. By considering heat load, environmental conditions, and other factors in consultation with an expert, it is possible to reduce maintenance needs and cost while keeping electrical equipment protected.  In applications in indoor, outdoor, and extreme environments, well-designed filter fans keep electrical equipment functional and safe.

Marine Vienney

Prevent Summer Overheating with Pfannenberg Enclosure Cooling Solutions

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Preventing enclosure overheating in the summer can be a challenge for many factories, where temperatures can rise fast during hot days! The high summer temperatures are often the cause of overheating of electrical components located inside the enclosures reducing their lifespan, while also contributing to downtime and repairs.

When this happens, the user often makes the same mistake: open the door panel (and sometimes use a fan) to remove heat and cool the components. In doing so, they allow dust, oils and surrounding debris to get inside the cabinet risking the damaging of sensitive electronic components.

To ensure that sensitive electronics maintain their rated life expectancy and that they function reliably, proper regulation of the enclosure climate is necessary.

Determine the Proper Enclosure Thermal Management

Electronics are typically most efficient in an environment where the humidity is low and the temperature is approximately 95°F. As the temperature in an enclosure rises it can have a lasting effect on the electronics. Tests have shown that an increase in temperature of as little as 18°F shortens the life expectancy of electrical components by more than 50%.

Enclosure Climate control prevents critical temperature fluctuations, avoids overheating and protects against the formation of condensate. It is essentially the backbone of your entire production process, prolonging the life of your electronics and protecting your investment.

To choose the best Thermal Management Solution you first need to understand your environment. Indeed, the environment in the electrical enclosure can be affected by weather conditions, solar radiation or other external temperature sources.

As an example, An Air to Water Heat Exchanger will be adapted to an enclosure placed in a factory that faces hot weather spikes or an extremely dirt or caustic environment compared to traditional industrial air conditioners.

Electronics sensitive to electromagnetic interference may need a shielded EMC Filterfan®. An enclosure located outdoors or in a humid environment may require hygrostats or thermostats and heaters to eliminate the formation of condensate, leading to corrosion and short circuiting.

Pfannenberg Sizing Software (PSS)

To determine the proper thermal management solution, Pfannenberg Engineers developed a powerful web-based Sizing Software to help you configure Filterfans™, cooling units, air/water heat exchangers, and heaters for electrical enclosures. The easy to use interface, works for both indoor and outdoor applications and helps you calculate the heat dissipation in a cabinet, component by component.

Need more help choosing the best Enclosure Cooling Solution? Ask us you question now!