Cooling Telecom Electronics with an Air to Air Heat Exchanger

 

Graphic showcasing Thermal Edge air-to-air heat exchangers for telecom electronics. On the left, three different-sized heat exchangers are displayed. On the right, a telecom tower stands against a blue sky. The Thermal Edge logo is in the bottom right corner.

The world relies on dependable telecommunications to stay connected. From smart phones to satellites, telecom products are an essential part of both work and play. Consider the types of telecom electronics most people use every day, often without even knowing it. The office server, the electronics cabinet along the road, the cell tower, and the satellite are just a few examples of the types of the telecom electronics you employ every day.

Because they are such an integral part of everyday life and the workplace, telecom electronics are protected with components such as:

  • Disconnect switches
  • Fuses that indicate circuit problems
  • Gas discharge tubes for surge protection
  • Electrostatic discharge protectors
  • Devices for protection against battery overcharging and short circuits

Another key protection element is a reliable cooling system. Many of the electrical components in telecom systems (including those designed to protect the system) generate heat. Too much heat in an electrical enclosure can cause damage to sensitive equipment, potentially causing failure.

Protecting Telecom Electronics with an Air to Air Heat Exchanger

In environments with an ambient temperature that is lower than the acceptable internal temperature of the electrical enclosure, an air to air heat exchanger can be used to keep electrical components cool.

Modern air to air heat exchangers work by drawing heat from inside the enclosure and transferring it to the air outside by employing heat pipe technology. The heat pipe uses no moving parts to do this, making it a reliable, low-maintenance cooling solution. To provide heat transfer, the heat pipe uses a phase-changing fluid that absorbs heat from the enclosure as a liquid, converts to a vapor, and releases heat to the outside air. The process continually circulates heat out of the enclosure with very low energy consumption.

Outside Plant Cabinets

In addition to indoor applications, air to air heat exchangers are well suited for cooling the electronics in outside plant telecom cabinets.  Unlike ventilation fans, air to air heat exchangers maintain a closed air loop and keep dust, dirt and other contaminants out of the cabinet.

Heat pipe heat exchangers are smaller than those using convoluted cores because they transfer heat more efficiently.  Also, heat pipes will only transfer heat in one direction, from inside the cabinet to the outside.  Therefore, no fan controls or thermostats are needed to prevent hot ambient air from heating the cabinet air, keeping complexity and cost to a minimum.  Air to air heat exchangers are low noise, use minimal power and are filter free for less maintenance.

Thermal Edge manufactures heat exchangers and enclosure air conditioners for a broad range of applications, including telecom electronics. If you need a reliable cooling solution for an electrical enclosure, contact us today to schedule a consultation.

What type of cooling solution do you currently use for telecom electronics?