Cabinet Enclosure Cooler For Electronic Control Panel Coolers
- Information
- Specifications
- How It Works
- Selection
- Applications
- Calculating Heat Load
Cabinet Enclosure Cooler (Panel Coolers Air Conditioner)For Electronic Control Panels:
Cabinet Enclosure Cooler - Frigid-X™ series for electronic control panels provide a low cost method of both purging and cooling electrical and electronic control panels by using a stainless steel vortex tube to create cold air from ordinary compressed air.
Cabinet Enclosure Cooler - Frigid-X™ series are compact and can be installed in minutes through a standard electrical knockout. There are virtually no moving parts.
There are Three (3) Types to choose from:
-
Frigid-X™ Cabinet Panel Coolers NEMA Type 12 For Electronic Control Panels for General use in industrial environments where no direct liquid spray is applied to the unit. Stainless steel construction to hold up in corrosive environments.
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Frigid-X™ Cabinet Panel Coolers NEMA Type 3R For Electronic Control Panels for Outdoor Use. Stainless steel to hold up to rain, snow, humidity and general outdoor use.
- Frigid-X™ Panel Coolers NEMA Type 4-4X For Electronic Control Panels - splash resistant, for use in wash down environments as well as outdoor use. Unique patent pending design for secure water tight protection. Stainless steel for food service and corrosive environments. Stainless steel also provides for long life in wet environments and for outdoor use.
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Note: Always question non-approved units used on electrical enclosures to assure that your panels are not damaged by inferior products.
Cabinet Enclosure Cooler ( Panel Coolers Air Conditioner) - All Metal Parts, Stainless Steel Body, Quiet - Under 70dBA, Tests Show Frigid-X™ Constantly Quieter Than Competition!
Cabinet Enclosure Cooler - Frigid-X™ - Operation:
Filtered, compressed air enters the cabinet enclosure cooler and through the vortex tube component. The air is split into two streams, one hot and one cold.
The muffled hot air from the vortex tube is expelled through the top of the air conditioner. The cold air is directed into the enclosure through the cold air distribution hose. Hot air inside the enclosure rises and exits to atmosphere via the air exhaust at a slight positive pressure. The enclosure is both purged and cooled with clean air. No outside air enters the enclosure.
Cabinet Enclosure Cooler (Panel Coolers Air Conditioner) - Frigid-X™ - Advantages:
- Low in cost
- Compact
- No CFC's
- Fast installation
- Stabilize enclosure temperature and humidity
- Virtually maintenance free (No Moving Parts)
- Mounts in a standard electrical knockout
- Stops heat damage and nuisance tripping
- Eliminates fans and filters
- Prevents dirt contamination by keeping enclosure at positive pressure
- Units applicable to all environments including high temperature to 200ºF
Cabinet Enclosure Cooler (Panel Coolers Air Conditioner)- Frigid-X™ - Sizing Specifications:
Contact Nex Flow™ for assistance in sizing cabinet enclosure cooler - Frigid-X™ series.
Below see Sizing Specifications.
MODEL NO. |
VERSION |
BTU/Hr. cooling* |
61008A |
NEMA Type 12 Continuous Operation |
580 |
61015A |
NEMA Type 12 Continuous Operation |
1100 |
61025A |
NEMA Type 12 Continuous Operation |
1800 |
61030A |
NEMA Type 12 Continuous Operation |
2100 |
61040A |
NEMA Type 12 Continuous Operation |
2900 |
63008A |
NEMA Type 12 on-off control |
580 |
63015A |
NEMA Type 12 on-off control |
1100 |
63025A |
NEMA Type 12 on-off control |
1800 |
63030A |
NEMA Type 12 on-off control |
2100 |
63040A |
NEMA Type 12 on-off control |
2900 |
61008R |
NEMA Type 3R Continuous Operation |
|
61015R |
NEMA Type 3R Continuous Operation |
1100 |
61025R |
NEMA Type 3R Continuous Operation |
1800 |
61030R |
NEMA Type 3R Continuous Operation |
2100 |
61040R |
NEMA Type 3R Continuous Operation |
2900 |
63008X |
NEMA Type 3R on-off control |
580 |
63015X |
NEMA Type 3R on-off control |
1100 |
63025X |
NEMA Type 3R on-off control |
21800 |
63030X |
NEMA Type 3R on-off control |
2100 |
63040X |
NEMA Type 3R on-off control |
2900 |
61108X |
NEMA Type 4-4X Continuous Operation |
580 |
61115X |
NEMA Type 4-4X Continuous Operation |
1100 |
61125X |
NEMA Type 4-4X Continuous Operation |
1800 |
61130X |
NEMA Type 4-4X Continuous Operation |
2100 |
61140X |
NEMA Type 4-4X Continuous Operation |
2900 |
63108X |
NEMA Type 4-4X on-off control |
580 |
63115X |
NEMA Type 4-4X on-off control |
1100 |
63125X |
NEMA Type 4-4X on-off control |
21800 |
63130X |
NEMA Type 4-4X on-off control |
2100 |
63140X |
NEMA Type 4-4X on-off control |
2900 |
*Cooling effect based on 95º F temperature inside cabinet, 100 PSIG (6.9 BAR) compressor inlet pressure, and 70ºF (21ºC) inlet temperature.
BTU/hr. figures rounded to nearest 100 BTU/hr (1 WATT).
All Continuous Operation models include the cooling unit, filter with auto drain and cold air distribution kit.
All On-Off control units include the cooling unit, filter with auto drain, cold air distribution kit, solenoid valve and thermostat.

How Cabinet Enclosure Cooler (Panel Coolers Air Conditioner) Works:
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Compressed air enters at point (A) into the vortex tube component of the panel cooler. The vortex tube splits the compressed air into a hot (B) and cold (C) stream of air. The hot air from the vortex tube is vented to the atmosphere at point (D) after being muffled to reduce noise. Hot air displaced from inside the control panel or cabinet is exhausted through point (E). Cold air enters into the panel (F) via the cold distribution hose (G). Holes (H) are punched into the hose kit to deliver the cold air inside the panel where required. A muffler (I) further reduces the noise level of the exhausting air.
Cabinet Enclosure Cooler (Panel Coolers Air Conditioner)- Frigid-X™ - Selection:
Cabinet enclosure coolers come with a 5 micron filter with an automatic drain for the compressed air supply to insure clean, dry air and an air distribution kit to circulate the cold air inside the enclosure for even cooling.
Cabinet enclosure coolers are available with or without thermostat control.
When constant cooling and a constant positive purge is required we recommend the continuous operating version without the thermostat and solenoid valve. The cooling effect can be controlled by adding a regulator in line to reduce pressure for reduced cooling when it is not required and to conserve energy.
Systems utilizing a thermostat and solenoid valve saves air by activating the air conditioner only when the internal temperature reaches a critical level. The adjustable thermostat is factory set at 95°F but can be readjusted on site.
Thermostat and solenoid valve systems are recommended where the heat load can fluctuate (such as for frequency drives) and where a continual purge is not required. The thermostat and solenoid "package" can also be added at a later date to a continuous system. An Electronic Thermostat System is also available replacing the thermostat and solenoid valve with a control box to “set” the temperature (ELC System).
Cabinet Enclosure Cooler (Panel Coolers Air Conditioner)- Frigid-X™ - Applications:

- Computer Enclosures
- Frequency Drives
- CCTV Cameras
- NC/CNC Systems
- Scanners
Calculating Heat Load In Your Electrical/Electronic Panel Enclosure:
Total heat load consists of the heat transfer from outside your panel and from the heat dissipated inside the control unit.
Useful terms and conversions:
1 BTU/hr = 0.293 watts
1 BTU/hr - 0.000393 horsepower
1 Watt = 3.415 BTU/hr
1 horsepower = 2544 BTU/hr
1 Watt = 0.00134 horsepower
1 Square Foot = 0.0929 square meters
1 Square Meter = 10.76 square foot
Typical fan capacity:
4" fan: 100 CFM (2832 LPM)
6" fan: 220 CFM (6230 LPM)
8" fan: 340 CFM (9628 LPM)
10" fan 550 CFM (15574 LPM)
BTU/hr. cooling effect from fan 1.08 x (temp. inside panel in ºF - temp. outside panel in degrees F) x CFM
Watts cooling effect from fan: 0.16 x (temp. inside panel in ºC - temp. outside panel in degrees C) x LPM
Calculating BTU/hr. or Watts:
- Determine the heat generated inside the enclosure. Approximations may be necessary. For example, if you know the power generated inside the unit, assume 10% of the energy is dissipated as heat.
- For heat transfer from the outside, calculate the area exposed to the atmosphere except for the top of the control panel.
- Choose the internal temperature you wish to have, and choose the temperature difference between it and the maximum external temperature expected.
- From the conversion table that follows, determine the BTU/hr. per square foot (or watts per square meter) for the temperature difference.
- Multiply the panel surface area times the BTU/hr. per square foot (or watts per square meter) to get the external heat transfer in BTU/hr or in watts.
- Sum the internal and external heat loads calculated.
- If you do not know the power used in the enclosure but you can measure temperatures, then measure the temperature difference between the outside at current temperature, and the present internal cabinet temperature.
- Note size and number of any external fans. Provide this information to Nex Flow™ to assist in sizing the appropriate cooling system.
Temperature Difference in ºF |
BTU/hr./sq. ft. |
Temperature Difference in ºC |
Watts/sq.m |
5 |
1.5 |
3 |
5.2 |
10 |
3.3 |
6 |
11.3 |
15 |
5.1 |
9 |
17.6 |
20 |
7.1 |
12 |
24.4 |
25 |
9.1 |
15 |
31.4 |
30 |
11.3 |
18 |
39.5 |
35 |
13.8 |
21 |
47.7 |
40 |
16.2 |
24 |
55.6 |
Example:
The control panel has two frequency drives totaling 10 horsepower and one module rated at 100 watts. The maximum outside temperature expected is 105ºF or 40.5ºC. The area of the control panel exposed sides, except for the top is 42 square feet or 3.9 square meters. We want the internal temperature to be 95ºF or 35ºC.
Total internal power is 10 hp x 746 watts/hp - 7460 plus 100 watts = 7560 watts.
Assume 10% forms heat = an internal heat load of 756 watts.
Or
Total internal power is 10 hp x 2544 BTU/hp = 25440 BTU/hr plus 100 watts x 3.415 BTU/hr/watt = 25782 BTU/hr.
Assume 10% forms heat = an internal heat load of 2578 BTU/hr.
External heat load: The temperature difference between the desired temperature and the outside is 10ºF or 5.5ºC. Using the conversions (and interpolating where necessary) we multiply the area by the conversion factor:
42 sq. ft x 3.3 - 139 BTU/hr or 3.9 sq. m x 10.3 = 40 watts
Total Heat Load: 756 + 40 - 796 watts or 2578 + 139 - 2717 BTU/hr.
You would use a Model 61040 for constant operation or a Model 63040 for one-off control. (Rated at 2900 BTU/hr or 849 watts).
