Green Series Product Image
Ian Johnston

Pfannenberg USA Unveils Green Series DTI 6000 Cooling Units

/in , , /by

Green Series Product Image

We are excited to announce our new Green Series DTI 6000 Cooling Units. These cooling solutions represent a transformative leap in enclosure cooling technology, protecting vulnerable electronics while protecting the environment.

By employing a closed-loop design, these units effectively seal out ambient air, ensuring the recirculation of clean, cool air throughout the enclosure. This innovative approach provides comprehensive protection for enclosure electronics, safeguarding them against both heat and contaminated ambient air. This system further benefits from the expanded distance between air inlet and outlet, optimizing the air flow within the enclosure to prevent hotspots. Plus, the DTI 6000’s integrated design requires less floor space compared to traditional side-mount cooling units, offering space-saving functionality.

The Green Series DTI 6000 Cooling Units offer industry-leading energy efficiency. With our latest design, customers can achieve up to 11% energy savings, resulting in a more cost-efficient operation. Additionally, the DTI 6000 reduces the amount of refrigerant used per unit by up to 58% compared to the previous version. This not only reduces the use of these crucial resources but also aligns with current regulations and lowers the system’s overall Global Warming Potential.

Green Sereis cooling unit on an electrical cabinetWith versatile power configuration, DTI 6000 owners can seamlessly transition from 400V to 460V with a simple jumper, simplifying retrofitting even for three-phase units. Tool-less mounting and simple installation procedures save valuable time and upfront costs. Plus, easily accessible main system components facilitate straightforward service and maintenance.

UL listed for new UL-60335 requirements, the Green Series DTI 6000 is positioned as a future-ready solution. Our commitment to sustainability and cutting-edge design shines through in the Green Series DTI 6000 Cooling Units. As industries evolve, we continue to lead with innovations that not only meet current needs but anticipate and address the challenges of the future.

Learn more about the Green Series DTI 6000 here or download our flyer.

 

 

Ian Johnston

Why is a Thermal Mangement Plan for Enclosures Important?

/in , , , , /by

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.

 

 

 

Susanne Kuhn

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

/in , /by

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

/in , , /by

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

/in , , , , /by

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

/in , , , /by

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

/in , , /by

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!

Marine Vienney

Pfannenberg Announces New Outdoor Filterfan® (TYPE 3R)

/in , , , /by

High-Airflow Fan Operates Outdoors in a Range of Conditions Without Requiring a Rainhood

Lancaster, NY – Pfannenberg, Inc., a leading global manufacturer of thermal management technologies, announces the new Outdoor Filterfan®, a rainproof filter fan with an unrivaled airflow suitable for outdoor weather conditions, which makes a rainhood unnecessary for most applications.

Pfannenberg’s Outdoor Filterfans® are certified to TYPE 3R. providing electrical enclosures with protection against ingress of falling dirt, harmful effects of rain, sleet, snow and external ice formation. Further, it features UV resistance plastic to prevent premature degradation from direct sunlight. Traditional outdoor solutions would require installation of a rainhood over the filter fan. Pfannenberg’s Outdoor Filterfan® eliminates the component cost and labor for installing such a rainhood.

Like the millions of field-installed Filterfans® 4.0, the Outdoor Filterfan® reaches a particularly high airflow with flow optimized fins and rotor blades. The fluted filter-mat provides 3x longer service life by holding more dust before airflow is impeded, extending the mean time between maintenance (MTBM) for outdoor enclosures. The new series maintains the 11 patented features, including a patented 4-corner fastening system that allows toolless installation in seconds in most enclosure wall thickness.

Pfannenberg’s new Outdoor Filterfans® are offered with eight different airflows in multiple sizes and voltage (AC & DC). It is also available in two colors – Black and Light Grey. The family includes matching exhaust filters for a complete setup for your enclosures. They are UL listed, NEMA, CE and RoHS compliant.

Click here to learn more

Marine Vienney

3 Solutions to Protect your Electrical Enclosures From Condensation and Humidity

/in , , , , , , , /by

What is condensation?

Formation of condensation is one of the biggest dangers for electrical enclosures. Condensation is caused by hot, humid air coming into contact with a colder surface than the air dew point.

With Spring’s typical variable weather conditions, outdoor enclosures are even more exposed to the risk of condensation. Condensation can also occur indoors if the humidity is too high.

When the humidity is high is does not take a large change in temperature to cause condensate to form inside the cabinet.

How to prevent condensation?

The most efficient solution is to combine Filterfans® and Heaters with control devices such as Hygrostats and Thermostats. Fan Heaters are typically used in outdoor applications where ambient temperature can threaten sensitive electronics. Radiant Heaters are often used to reduce humidity and control condensate within the enclosure.

1. Filterfans® + Rainhoods

Filterfans® are the ideal solution for clean, non-hazardous environments with an acceptable ambient (outside the enclosure) temperature range.

Designed for use with standard Filterfans®, Pfannenberg’s new Rainhoods (Patent Pending) protect your application from harsh environments like rain, water spray, snow or fluids from being drawn into the enclosure.  This product feature a robust design rated to NEMA TYPE 3R/4/4x and IPx6 when used with Pfannenberg Filterfans®.

Adding a Heater to your Filterfan® + Rainhood solution will ensure a proper humidity control. This combination is the optimum solution for the economical and energy efficient cooling of electrical enclosure components.

2. Fan Heaters

Pfannenberg Heaters prevent condensate build up and therefore protect against corrosion.

Compact fan heater with thermostatFan HeaterMini radiant heaterThe PFH-T Fan Heaters with Thermostat are designed to protect electronics from the effects of low temperatures such as corrosion, freezing or condensation, which can damage critical components within a control enclosure.

The PRH-M Mini Radiant Heaters are ideal for small outdoor enclosures, preventing condensate formation.

The FLH Heaters are ideal for use in larger electrical enclosures.

3. Thermostats / Hygrostats

Industrial ThermostatHygrostat FLZ 600

Pfannenberg’s Hygrostats allow you to effectively control the humidity level inside the enclosure. These devices are used to start the heater or filterfan® if the predetermined humidity threshold is reached.

When combining a Pfannenberg Thermostat with a Filterfan®, the fan can be controlled to turn on and off based on the temperature inside the cabinet.

The benefits to this combined system are:
• Extended fan life.
• Reduced energy consumption.
• Reduced consumables and maintenance.

As a system; Filterfans, Heaters, Thermostats and Hygrostats will ensure that the environment within the enclosure is ideal for the performance and service life of the critical electronics.

 

Marine Vienney

Success Story: DTS Cooling Unit back for service after 15 Years of use!

/in , , , /by

At Pfannenberg, we are delighted to learn how satisfied our customers are with our products. When we received an old DTS Cooling Unit back for service after 15 years of use, we could do nothing but offer a full-service repair on the unit!

This DTS Unit was sold by Pfannenberg to an integrator back in 2004. The final customer, a manufacturer of fencing, railing and hardware has been a Pfannenberg customer since 2011 and has always been satisfied with this product. This DTS Cooling unit is used to keep the blow-molding machine cool and operational.

The reason for returning the unit to Pfannenberg was not to upgrade to a newer product, but to perform routine maintenance on the unit.  After a full evaluation, our service technician replaced all defective components to get the unit back to full running status, meeting a good refrigeration delta temperature condition. Additionally, preventative measures were taken by replacing fan motors, capacitors and relays, as well as a thorough cleaning of the condenser coil for proper heat dissipation.

 

This success story demonstrates once again the robustness and service-friendliness of Pfannenberg Thermal Management products. Pfannenberg customers can rely on reliable products and customer service to keep their application and processes up and running, even after 15 years.

Contact us for Preventative Maintenance on your units or recommended spare parts!