Nex Flow ™ Frigid-X™ Panel Cooler

THE BEST AIR CONDITIONER Of ITS KIND FOR ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC CONTROL PANELS AND IT'S ESSENTIALLY MAINTENANCE FREE!

NEX FLOW™ FRIGID-X™ vortex tube PANEL COOLERS not only have major advantages over other cooling options but also over many other systems using vortex tubes. A vortex tube operates using compressed air only, dividing up the air into a hot and a cold stream with no moving parts. The cold air flow produced is used is directed into the enclosure to air condition the control cabinet. The FRIGID-X™ PANEL COOLER has a built-in exhaust to vent the displaced hot air from inside the enclosure, so no separate vent is needed. This creates a slightly positive pressure inside the cabinet to purge the unit and keep out dirt, dust and debris.

QUESTION - WHY USE THEM? When COMPRESSED AIR IS EXPENSIVE. Yes it is BUT...Compared to Refrigerant Air Conditioners.

1. NEX FLOW™ FRIGID-X™ PANEL COOLERS have no moving parts except for a solenoid valve provide with on-off systems to conserve and minimize air use. Refrigerant air conditioners on the other hand have many moving parts – a compressor, a condenser blower motor and evaporative blowers which can, ad do break down - often on the hottest and most critical days when cooling is needed!! The dirtier and hotter the environment, the more such air conditioners are subject to breakdown. Most manufacturers warranty such air conditioners two years verses the Nex Flow™ FRIGID-X™ PANEL COOLER which comes with a 5 year warranty. Air conditioner repairs can cost into the hundreds of dollars plus downtime, more than offsetting the extra energy cost to run vortex style system.

2. Refrigerant air conditioners require vent filters to be cleaned or changed so avoid damaging the refrigerant cooling system. So the more harsh the environment, the less suitable such air conditioners. The NEX FLOW™ FRIGID-X™ PANEL COOLER does not require such maintenance and in fact, is essentially maintenance free and ideal for harsh, dirty and wet environments.

3. Refrigerant air conditioners also require a floor drain to capture and vent condensate produced by the condenser. The FRIGID-X™ PANEL COOLER does not create condensate. In fact, the FRIGID-X™ PANEL COOLER will keep the inside of the enclosure dry and clean to a maximum of 45% relative humidity. There is no condensate to worry about!

4. Refrigerant air conditioners are also subject to vibration. This can cause the refrigerant to leak and potentially component failures as well. A new compressor for this air conditioner may cost more than NEMA Type 12 NEX FLOW™ FRIGID-X™ PANEL COOLER system with on off control!!

5. And the cost of even getting maintenance person in - time out to get them in the plant, the cost, the downtime - it can all add up quickly!

So you mean that in a dirty, wet or high vibration environment these units make sense but what about a really clean environment.

We won't ever recommend our nit in an application where you rarely change filters, condensate removal is not an issue and certainly not when compressed air is not available. It just does not make sense in that case to use this technology. Some competitors try to show with biased analysis that it is "always" better to use a vortex cooling system. We would rather stay honest and have happy customers.

Why can't I use a heat exchanger for cooling my control panels? What is the cost compared to Hear Exchangers?

1. Heat exchanges, while less costly than air conditioners are highly subject to the environment and ambient temperature. In effect, they work less effectively when they are needed the most - which is on the hottest days. The FRIGID-X™ PANEL COOLER performance is not affected by the ambient temperature and only depends upon the compressed air temperature.

2. Heat exchangers require the air intake filters to be kept very clean. If the filters become dirty or clog the performance drops dramatically and may fail. The more harsh the environment, the more maintenance (and cost) is required. The FRIGID-X™ PANEL COOLER uses only compressed air to operate which is kept clean by a standard air filter with auto drain. Maintenance is practically nil as filter elements may need replacement only once or twice a year at minimal cost (around $20.00). In fact, if that is also a concern Nex Flow™ has a new patented Super Separator that never requires replacement of any elements! It is truly a maintenance free alternative.

OK, I am convince that these units are pretty good for a lot of facilties but why should I choose yours over a competitive unit? Why Nex Flow as compared to other vortex tube operated coolers for control panels?

1. NEX FLOW™ FRIGID-X™ PANEL COOLERS are among the lowest priced vortex tube operated units on the market and certainly the lowest cost, fully UL and ULC component approved and therefore legal to use product that also meets CE and other international standards. (Be wary of unapproved products).

2. Other versions are more costly are many are even made with aluminum bodies that are not even anodized minimizing their life span, especially in harsh environments. NEX FLOW™ FRIGID-X™ PANEL COOLERS are made of stainless steel construction whether it is NEMA Type 12 (standard use), NEMA Type 3R (for outside use) or NEMA 4-4X (for wash down use) and all versions can be used in corrosive environments.

Just one more question on energy use. It's easy to say it uses a lot of air but does it really?
What is a lot?

1. The big concern often raised is the use of compressed air to operate vortex tube style coolers. NEX FLOW™ FRIGID-X™ PANEL COOLERS are made more efficient by utilizing a thermostat and solenoid valve system to turn the unit on and off as required. In comparing the cost of energy against other costs such as maintenance and installation costs of air conditioners noted above, studies have shown that the more severe the environment, the more cost effective the FRIGID-X™ PANEL COOLER . In an automotive faculty for example, total operating cost would be about the same using a FRIGID-X™ PANEL COOLER verses an air conditioner with the added advantage of near zero maintenance.

2. In a dusty, dirty environment where air conditioners are subject to additional filter changes and maintenance, the FRIGID-X™ PANEL COOLER ends up with a much lower overall operating cost. On the other hand, we won't try to tell you that it is the ideal unit to use in a very clean low maintenance environment either.

3. FRIGID-X™ PANEL COOLERS come with a five year warranty but their life span, especially with its stainless steel construction can be 20 years. A NEX FLOW™ Application Engineer can assist you in evaluating the real costs in your particular facility.

In Summary

1. NEX FLOW™ FRIGID-X™ PANEL COOLERS are UL and ULC listed to maintain NEMA Type 12, NEMA Type 3R and NEMA type 4-4X integrity of electronic and electrical enclosures. They meet CE and other international standards as well. They are of stainless steel construction for long life and quality.

2. NEX FLOW™ FRIGID-X™ PANEL COOLERS create a slightly positive pressure inside control panels to keep out dirt, dust and debris. They keep the humidity inside to a maximum 45% (or less) tom prevent moisture and also makes them ideal for humidity control.
3. FRIGID-X™ PANEL COOLERS have NO moving parts - will not wear out , will not break, and can last as long as 20 years or more.

4. The ambient air temperature or outside conditions do not affect the operation of a FRIGID-X™ PANEL COOLER.

5. Easy to install - simple electrical knockout and can be installed in under an hour. Installed on the top of a panel (or on the upper side using a side mount (extra part)

6. Lower cost compared to industrial air conditioners.