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Enclosure Cooling –
Selecting a Heat Exchanger
Heat exchanger selection Heat Exchanger Selection Example
To select the proper size heat exchanger, the worst-case A NEMA 12 Wiegmann N12302412 enclosure (30 in [762 mm]
conditions should be considered. For a heat exchanger to high x 24 in [610 mm] wide x 12 in [305 mm] deep) contains a
work, the ambient air temperature must be lower than the GS3-4010 AC drive 10 HP 460 volt) that has a maximum allowable
desired internal enclosure air temperature. operating temperature of 104°F and is located in a warehouse that
has a maximum outside ambient air temperature of 90°F.
There are three main factors in choosing a heat exchanger for
an uninsulated metal NEMA rated enclosure located indoors: Power to be dissipated is stated in the specifications of the GS3-
4010 and is found to be 345 watts.
• Internal heat load
Internal heat load:
• Delta T
• Heat load transfer Internal Heat Load = 345 Watts
Delta T:
Internal Heat Load
Internal heat load is the heat generated by the components ΔT (°F) 104°F – 90°F = 14°F
inside the enclosure. This can be determined by a few Heat load transfer:
different methods. The preferred method is to add the Surface Area (ft.2) = 2 [(30 x 24) + (30 x 12) + (24 x 12)] / 144 sq. inches = 19 ft.2
maximum heat output specifications that the manufacturers Heat Load Transfer = 0.22 x 19 ft2 = 4.2 Watts/°F
list for all the equipment installed in the cabinet. This is Cooling capacity:
typically given in Watts. Cooling Capacity = 345 Watts/14°F - 4.2 Watts/°F = 20.4 Watts/°F
Delta T (ΔT) In this example, you are able to determine that a Stratus heat
Delta T = maximum allowable internal enclosure temperature exchanger, with a capacity of at least 20.4 Watts/°F is needed, such
°F – maximum outside ambient temperature °F. as a TE30-030-17-04.
Heat Load Transfer *This selection procedure applies to metal and non-metal,
Heat load transfer is the heat lost (negative heat load transfer) uninsulated, sealed enclosures in indoor locations. This selection
or gained (positive heat load transfer) through the enclosure procedure gives the minimum required size; be careful not to
walls with the surrounding ambient air. This can be calculated undersize when purchasing.
by the following formulas:
Surface Area (sq. ft.) = 2 [(H x W) + (H x D) + (W x D)] / (144
sq. inches/sq. ft.)
Note: Only include exposed surfaces of enclosue in
calculations. Exclude surfaces such as a surface mounted to a
wall.
Heat Load Transfer (W/°F) = 0.22 W/°F sq. ft. x surface area
Note: Use 0.22 Watts/°F sq. ft. for painted steel and non-
metallic enclosures. Use.10 Watts/°F sq. ft. for stainless steel
and bare aluminum enclosures.
Cooling Capacity
Once you have determined your Internal Heat Load, the Heat
Load Transfer and the Delta T, you can choose the proper size
unit by calculating the needed cooling capacity.
Cooling Capacity (W/°F) = Internal Heat Load / ∆T - Heat
Load Transfer

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Air To Air Heat Exchangers

Consider a Better Construction
Solution: Air to Air Heat • Heat pipe technology

Exchanger • Closed loop design

• Always closed loop

• Low cost
Listings
• UL File: SA34086
• Easier to mount on only one side of
your enclosure • Made in USA
• Energy efficient; uses no more power than a
filtered fan system Features
• Filter-free; no diminished cooling capacity
• All units are available in NEMA 4 and 4X
• Available in 120 VAC and 24 VDC
Applications • Motors have a sealed overload protector
A closed loop cooling system which • Finned evaporator and condenser sections
employs the heat pipe principle to provide a closed loop
exchange heat from an electrical • Coil systems use aluminum end plates and Tall, compact, and deep body
enclosure to the outside. baffles which improve conduction and styles shown
reduce corrosion for longer life
• UL/cUL listed

Air to Air Heat Exchange

The Air to Air Heat Exchanger is a closed loop
cooling system which employs the heat pipe
principle to exchange heat from an electrical
enclosure to the outside. Where ambient
temperatures are suitable for heat pipes, they are
the most efficient method of cooling as the waste
heat is the engine which drives the system. The only
power requirement is to operate two circulating fans
or blowers.
Heat pipes have a liquid refrigerant under a partial
vacuum inside sealed tubes. They operate with
a phase change process which is much like that
of mechanical air conditioning, but without the
compressor. Each heat pipe has an evaporator
section and a condenser section which are separated
by a permanent baffle so as to provide a closed
loop. The bottom of each heat pipe is in contact
with heated air from the electrical enclosure. When
the enclosure air reaches approximately 75° F, the
refrigerant changes to vapor phase (boils) and the
vapor (steam) rises to the top of the tube which is in
contact with cooler outside (ambient) air.
When the outside air temperature is lower than the
enclosure temperature, the refrigerant vapor gives
up heat to the outside air and returns to the liquid
phase. It then falls to the bottom and repeats the
cycle endlessly so long as there is a negative temperature differential between the enclosure and outside. Heat pipes will not operate
in reverse cycle so heat cannot be transferred from the ambient to the interior of the enclosure. Although the operation is self limiting,
thermostatic control can be used to shut off the fans when not needed.
The Stratus design has a top-to-bottom enclosure air flow pattern with maximum separation of the inlet and outlet. This design pulls
the hottest air from the top of the enclosure and returns the cooled air from the bottom of the heat pipe to the enclosure. The air flow
on the ambient side is bottom in, top out, so that the hotter discharge air moves up and away rather than being recirculated.
The units use aluminum end plates and baffles which improve conduction and reduce corrosion for longer life. The center aluminum
baffle, which is swaged into the heat pipe coil, provides an air tight seal between the two air systems.

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Air To Air Heat Exchanger

Specifications

In this image, a standard In this image, a standard

installation shows where installation demonstrates
the dirt and particulate the closed loop condition
will enter the enclosure maintained by the Air to
and be pulled in by the Air Heat Exchanger. Cool
fans on your drives and air inlet and outlet vents
devices. Filters or not, are completely covered
contamination is invited in by the heat exchanger.
by this open This provides NEMA type
loop approach. 4 or 4X.

Stratus Air to Air Heat Exchangers General Specifications

TE20-015-24D-4X

TE30-030-24D-4X

TE40-050-24D-4X
TE20-015-24D-04

TE30-030-24D-04

TE40-050-24D-04
TE20-015-17-4X

TE30-030-17-4X

TE40-050-17-4X
TE20-015-17-04

TE30-030-17-04

TE40-050-17-04
Part Number

Price $1,800.00 $1,881.00 $1,853.00 $1,933.00 $1,860.00 $1,996.00 $1,912.00 $2,043.00 $2,433.00 $2,530.00 $2,560.00 $2,657.00
Operating Voltage
± 10%
Range (V)
Inrush Current (Start
1.92 3.90 1.92 3.90 2.59 9.70
Up Current) (A)
Loading Current
0.37 0.80 0.37 0.80 0.47 1.94
(Running Current) (A)
SCCR (Short Circuit
Refer to Footnote 1
Current Rating) (A)
Recommended Circuit
Protection Device 1.5 2.5 1.5 2.5 2 6
Rating (A)
VA Rating (W) 42 20 42 20 56 47
Methanol Methanol Methanol Methanol
Refrigerant Type (oz)
(0.41) (0.41) (0.81) (1.22)
Watts/°C (F°) ­­22 (12) 44 (24) 71.6 (40)
Free Air Flow (CFM) 131 127 131 127 211 235
Weight Without
16 19 32
Packaging (lbs)
Body Style compact deep tall
2CRS 2CRS 2CRS 2CRS 2CRS 2CRS
with ANSI with ANSI with ANSI with ANSI with ANSI with ANSI
3Stainless 3Stainless 3Stainless 3Stainless 3Stainless 3Stainless
Material Type 61 gray 61 gray 61 gray 61 gray 61 gray 61 gray
Steel Steel Steel Steel Steel Steel
powder powder powder powder powder powder
coat coat coat coat coat coat
Voltage/Hz 120 VAC 50/60 24 VDC 120 VAC 50/60 24 VDC 120 VAC 50/60 24 VDC
Maximum Ambient
160°F (71.1°C)
Temperature
Agency Approval UL File: SA34086
Notes: 1 SCCR rating is based on the SCCR rating for the circuit protection device installed in the panel / enclosure per UL50 and UL508a to protect the AC unit Typically
10KA for Fast Acting Fuses.
2
Cold-rolled steel with ANSI-61 gray polyester powder coating inside and out.
3
Fabricated from 16-gauge 304 stainless steel.

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Air To Air Heat Exchanger

Dimensions
Dimensions - Tall

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Air To Air Heat Exchanger

Dimensions
Dimensions - Compact

Dimensions - Deep

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