Use of an air-to-air heat exchanger to reduce peak temperatures in outdoor cabinets

To assess the effectiveness of air-to-air heat exchangers in reducing peak temperature rise in outdoor telephone equipment cabinets, a series of tests was conducted during the summer of 1989 at the Chester thermal test facility. The tests demonstrated that an average 10 degrees F or better reduction in peak internal air temperature within outdoor cabinets could be achieved using a simple air-to-air heat exchanger. This drop was measured in a 50 ft/sup 3/ cabinet with internal heat loads of 680 and 920 watts, and was in addition to any reduction obtained through use of internal air circulating fans. About the same peak internal air temperature was obtained for the 920 watt load without the heat exchanger operating. The author describes the test procedure and results.<>