The challenge: cooling machinery while limiting noise
In this application, two machines are housed inside a sound-insulated enclosure. While the enclosure helps reduce noise from the machinery, it also needs adequate ventilation. Heat generated during operation must be removed to prevent the temperature inside the enclosure from becoming too high.
Two factors needed to be considered: matching the ventilation capacity to the cooling demand and limiting noise escaping through the ventilation opening.
The choice: a compact axial EC wall fan
For this application, Ventinet supplied a compact axial wall fan with an EC motor, combined with a temperature sensor.
Cooling requirements can vary throughout the year. In winter, less cooling capacity is generally needed than in summer. A speed-controllable EC fan allows the airflow to be adjusted to suit the cooling demand. When combined with a suitable temperature sensor and control setup, the fan speed can be adjusted automatically in response to temperature.
This can also help reduce energy consumption. When less cooling capacity is required, the fan does not need to run continuously at full speed, helping to avoid unnecessary energy use.
Explore the possibilities in our range of EC fans.
Additional consideration: noise attenuation
The ventilation opening presented a second consideration. Noise from the machinery can also escape through this opening, even when the enclosure itself is sound-insulated.
To help limit this, the customer installed a sound attenuator on the outside of the enclosure around the fan. This also addressed noise transmission through the ventilation opening.
The chosen solution in practice
Cooling a sound-insulated machine enclosure involves more than calculating the required airflow. Fan speed control, available installation space and the way noise travels through the ventilation opening also need to be considered.
For this project, a compact axial wall fan with an EC motor and temperature sensor was selected. The customer complemented the installation with a sound attenuator around the fan opening. Together, these choices address the cooling demand while taking noise attenuation into account.
Want to understand how EC fans work and what sets them apart? Read our knowledge article, What Is an EC Fan?.
Looking for a fan for a machine enclosure? The right choice starts with understanding the operating conditions and requirements of the application.
