Shows the Fluid Dynamic Airflow to explain Optimal Air Circulation for Enclosures
Ian Johnston

Considerations for Selecting an Electrical Enclosure Cooling Solution

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Optimal air circulation in an enclosure is key to protecting critical components

 

Curious about what to consider when selecting a cooling solution for your electrical enclosure?Fluid Dynamic Airflow image of the inside of an electrical enclosure.

Our experts have the insights and tools you need to make the best decision for your application.

Electrical enclosures house critical components that generate heat during operation. Proper air circulation can make or break an electrical enclosure. Inadequate air circulation can lead to isolated temperature accumulation, running the risk of system malfunctions, reduced component lifespan, and compromised reliability.

To select the best cooling solution for an electrical enclosure, consider such factors as the unit’s proximity to operators, whether it will be installed in a temperature-controlled facility, and the type of airflow inside the enclosure. Read on in Panel Builder US for an overview of electrical enclosure cooling challenges, a review of tools that can be used to simulate and optimize airflow patterns within the enclosure, and considerations for designing electrical enclosures for optimal air circulation.

 

For more infomation and explanation check out our Whitepaper here.

Service review of plant - thermal audits
Ian Johnston

Crafting Proactive Thermal Management Plans for Electrical Enclosures

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Excess Heat in Electrical EnclosuresCooling Unit on enclosure with air flow

Excess heat in electrical enclosures is a high-stakes problem. These enclosures often contain vital electronics that are not only critical to production, but also expensive. Failing to effectively manage heat buildup can degrade enclosed electronics, leading to costly replacements. It can also shut down systems, leading manufacturers to incur even more costs from unnecessary downtime.

The high stakes of excess heat makes proper cooling crucial for effective and efficient production. Proper cooling requires manufacturers to consider heat load, ambient temperature, particles and debris, enclosure location, material, and other complex factors. Most manufacturers lack effective thermal management plans for electrical enclosures, risking significant financial losses that can easily be prevented with proper cooling.

Developing a Thermal Management Plan with Pfannenberg

Manufacturers looking to reduce costs and improve uptime by developing proactive thermal management plans for enclosures can benefit from Pfannnenberg’s 70 years of expertise. Pfannenberg can help determine if a manufacturer employs the correct cooling solutions for their unique facilities and craft a thermal management plan. The plan activities include verifying that the size of cooling methods meet the thermal loads of enclosures, identifying critical equipment, and recognizing thermal technology that may be underperforming due to poor maintenance putting steps in place to reduce downtime  Pfannenberg can also help develop a preventive maintenance plan and recommend the correct thermal technology for challenging applications.

Executing a Thermal Management Plan with Pfannenberg Solutions

Pfannenberg offers thermal management solutions for diverse manufacturing environments. These solutions can be a critical component of a thermal management plan by delivering high performance and precision.

The PKS 3000 Series Air/Air Heat Exchangers use Pfannenberg’s Kinetic Cooling System™ to remove heat from electrical enclosures using ambient air. These exchangers suit environments with cooler ambient air or dirty air. They offer reduced maintenance and robust performance across indoor, outdoor, remote, and washdown applications that demand a closed-loop system for electronics protection.

Pfannenberg’s Air/Water Heat ExchangerThermal management for electical enclosures s serves environments with high ambient temperatures or washdown areas with significant particulates. Designed for both internal and external installation, these exchangers are maintenance-free and energy-efficient, using a supplied water source to achieve cooling capacities ranging from 2,218 BTU to 34,121 BTU. This ensures safe and efficient cooling of enclosure electronics, making these exchangers ideal for a wide range of industrial applications.

Pfannenberg Cooling Units provide a closed-loop system that seals out ambient air and recirculates clean, cool air into the enclosure, which prevents overheating and critical temperature fluctuations. These units help maintain internal temperature at or below ambient levels, and also provide higher ingress protection when surrounding air is contaminated with oil or conductive dust.

For less demanding environments, Pfannenberg’s Filterfans® offer a cost-effective thermal management solution. With tool-free installation, superior airflow, and extended filter lifespan, Filterfans® provide Type 12 or Type 3R protection. This makes Filterfans® particularly suitable for clean, non-hazardous environments where ambient temperature outside the enclosure is lower than internal temperature.

Proactive Plan + High-Performance Products: An Ideal Thermal Management Solution

In fast-paced manufacturing environments, crafting a proactive thermal management plan for electrical enclosures keeps operations running smoothly and avoids costly downtime. Pfannenberg’s  experience and market-leading solutions provide manufacturers with tools they need to protect their vital electronics and optimize efficiency. By partnering with Pfannenberg, manufacturers ensure they have the right cooling systems in place, improving performance, reducing costs, and increasing reliability. Taking proactive steps in thermal management with Pfannennberg helps secure more efficient and dependable operations for years to come.

Learn more here about our service and maintenance options here.

Green Series Product Image
Ian Johnston

Pfannenberg USA Unveils Green Series DTI 6000 Cooling Units

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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.

 

 

Thermal solutions
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.

 

 

 

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!.

Marine Vienney

NEMA® Type Rating- How Thermal Management Products Play the Role

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NEMA® ratings define in which environment an electrical enclosure can be used; the enclosures are rated in the NEMA® Type Rating System according to their use and corresponding necessary environmental protections. Components installed on the enclosure, such as the Thermal Management system, have to pass the stringent requirements of the NEMA® rating in order to be suitable for that enclosure. This blog will speak about the different environments for thermal management technology, and necessary considerations for thermal management solutions to be included into different NEMA rated enclosures.

Open vs Closed Loop

First, separate from NEMA® Type ratings is the determination of whether to use an open or closed loop thermal management system.

Open loop systems use, for example, a Filterfan® to move the hot air from inside the enclosure to the outside environment. The Filterfan® draws in cool ambient air and pushes out warm enclosure air. The filtering capability of the thermal management system is important in open loop environments because the air goes directly into the enclosure, so dust and other particulates must be filtered out.

Closed loop systems, in contrast, have two different air circulation loops: one inside the enclosure and one outside, using a condenser coil to cool. The closed loop design protects inside air from outside air, making filtration unnecessary, but the seal between the unit and the enclosure is important for closed loop systems.

   

Application setting

Indoor Environment

Regardless of application settings, closed or open loop systems may be used. Indoor settings, usually rated to NEMA/UL Type 12, can use Filterfans® with pleated filters as their open loop thermal management systems. The filter itself could be coated with a hydrophobic material to repel water, and would have an IP 54 or 55 rating depending on the presence of that coating. The whole filterfan® system, though, would be NEMA Type rated to 12. Closed loop cooling units in such an application setting would rely on a gasketed seal between the unit and the enclosure.

Outdoor Environment

Outdoor settings, usually NEMA/UL rated Type 3R or 4, also can use either closed or open loop systems. In an open loop, the filter blocks dust, while the outer grate, sometimes paired with a rainhood, can block water, wind, and vandalism. The rainhood provides additional protection in these and in closed loop systems; closed loop systems might also use a compressor sump heater forprotection against cold. 

Washdown Environment

Washdown settings, NEMA Type 4/4X rated, require a Filterfans® and rainhood or air conditioning unit and rainhood. What’s more, the rainhood should be designed with a direct spray barrier on the bottom of the rainhood. An air conditioning unit in this type of environment should have a stainless steel cover and rainhood for protection against both corrosion and water ingress. Condenser coils should be corrosion resistant in 4/4X air conditioning applications to reduce corrosion risk.

Hygienic applications

Finally, though not directly related to any particular NEMA Type rating, hygienic applications will have their own specific requirements for thermal management systems on electrical enclosures. These requirements are usually at least as stringent as the washdown environments described above.

 

Marine Vienney

Pfannenberg’s DTS Cooling Units to Cool a City of Los Angeles Water Treatment Plant

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Recent work done at a City of Los Angeles Water Treatment Plant required the improvement of a large odor control system. For the odor control system to work properly, 200HP fans are needed and to meet the cooling needs of the system, the City of Los Angeles considered a variety of Thermal Management options.

Pfannenberg’s  DTS 3681 (NEMA Type 4/4x)  Side Mounting Cooling Units were selected for the job. The stainless-steel cooling units have a large capacity, at almost two tons. They are specially designed for long term use in high temperature, high ambient environments, such as the odor control system.

     

The DTS 3681 cooling units are self-protecting from harsh environments due to a number   of features, including the location of the control electronics within a dry, cool interior circuit. All the constituent components comply with the highest standards which makes these cooling units, the best option for protecting critical electronics.

Pfannenberg DTS Cooling Units closed loop design isolates the external ambient air from the internally conditioned air eliminating the risk of contaminants entering the cabinet. The hermetically sealed compressor guarantees 100% cooling capacity efficiency. The absence of any refrigerant fill valves eliminates leak paths.

Pfannenberg’s DTS 3681 Cooling Units are sure to last long in serving the odor control system. Reasons for this include the high airflow backward curve impeller fan, which provides high airflow in a long lasting, single bearing design. This is in contrast to the typical two-bearing blowers, with the DTS 3681 Cooling units boasting nearly twice the lifespan!

Marine Vienney

Enclosure Cooling for Commercial Bakeries? Easy As Pie!

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In today’s modern lifestyle, frozen foods have played a major role in providing convenience to customers.  Pies – a family fall favorite, often take time that many families do not have. This is the time of the year where kids are back to school, parents are running all over doing drop-offs and pick-ups, rushing to work; taking the time to bake or make a full meal is often difficult.  Large industrial bakeries can manufacture roughly 200,000 frozen pies a day.  There is a high demand in this modern age for this aspect of convenience.

 

The two most important characteristics of creating a great tasting pie are the filling and the crust.  For the filling, fruit is mixed with sugar, cinnamon, honey and other spices (depending on the type of filling) in a large sauce pan. Ingredients are heated and mixed to combine the flavors for the filling.

This process requires automation components such as VFDs in large electrical control panels to operate the system. Heat is a by-product of this process and Pfannenberg’s PWS Air to Water Heat Exchangers are ideal for cooling electrical components.

Pfannenberg’s Air Water Heat Exchangers utilize chilled water, that is readily available, and an internal fan to provide cooled air preventing critical electronics from overheating. These units are particularly adapted for harsh environments like bakeries when there’s flour everywhere.

These pies are then moved to the depositing machine, where the filling is then dropped into the pie sheets.  The lid of crust is then placed on the filled fruit pie.  These lids are mass produced and “forked” or sealed to give that touch as if it was just like our mothers or grandmothers homemade pie. These top crust lids help seal in the filling when the pie is being baked at home.  Once sealed, the pies are moved to a blast freezer for rapid chilling.

Once chilled the pie is then moved to be packed and shipped off to local grocery stores.To make that flakey-buttery crust, shortening, flour, and other ingredients are mixed together in a large industrial mixer.  When the dough is done being mixed, the dough is compressed into equal sized squares and dropped into baking pie sheets.  Here, they move along the process and the dough squares are pressed down on the pie sheets to form the bottom crust layer.

The manufacturing processes of frozen pies are a delicate procedure. Temperature control of the equipment and the product is important to producing a flavorful, flakey, and scrumptious pie crust.

So what will it be?  One slice or the entire pie?  Ice cream or whipped cream? Next time you are enjoying a piece of pie, be sure to appreciate the process it takes to produce such a delicate indulgence!

Click Here to download the Bakery Air to Water PWS Case Study.

Marine Vienney

Preventing Condensation in Electrical Enclosures

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Condensation is the act of a substance transitioning from its gas form to its liquid form. Condensation is a common phenomenon in nature, and we have all seen condensation of water on a bathroom mirror or on the surface of a glass holding a cold drink. Condensation occurs when the temperature of a surface drops below the dewpoint temperature – a dynamic, not static, temperature point that depends upon the interplay between humidity and ambient temperature.

While condensation may look beautiful in the form of the morning dew, it can wreak havoc with valuable electronic equipment. This moisture can cause rust, corrosion, short circuiting and electric shock – proving at the least to be expensive and at the most to be dangerous.

How to prevent condensation in Electrical Cabinets?

Pfannenberg, which specializes in providing solutions for thermal management systems, has its finger on the pulse of how to prevent condensation in enclosures – such as electrical cabinets – that need to be kept free of moisture.

The first tip has to do with controlling the enclosure temperature. “Traditionally, in an enclosure, we are going to recommend keeping the temperature somewhere between the 85-degree and 95-degree Fahrenheit mark,” says Pfannenberg sales representative Adam Wells. “That generally represents a comfortable place for the electronics as well as for keeping it warm enough to avoid that dew point temperature.”

Pfannenberg experts also recommend using dehumidifiers in enclosures with high humidity or that are not completely sealed to prevent condensation. Typical dehumidifiers use a desiccant or some type of silica gel to wick moisture out of the air. Air conditioning units can also act to collect any condensate that may build up on the internal side of an enclosure and be dispersed into the environment with the help of a condensate evaporator.

Air conditioning units can also act to collect any condensate that may build up on the internal side of an enclosure and be dispersed into the environment with the help of a condensate evaporator.

Hygrostat FLZ 600

An unusual device known as a hygrostat can also be used to monitor the humidity levels in an enclosure. Originally made of horsehair, hygrostats are now made with synthetic hairs that expand and contract depending on the amount of water in the air. The same can be seen happening in human hair – for example when hair gets curlier on a humid day.

Another way to open the door to condensation is, literally, by opening a door. Pfannenberg sales representative Chris Marlow explains, “If you have an enclosure, and you have a cooling device in there, and you don’t turn off the device when you open the doors, you can get condensation build up inside that enclosure just from exposing air to that decrease in temperature.”

 

For more information on how to protect valuable electric equipment from condensation, visit Pfannenberg’s lively webinar discussion on this topic at https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/6751272280717546255.