Used for direct cooling and airflow to dissipate heat from a heatsink, power supply or PC board, fans must be able to efficiently operate in a wide variety of applications. This ranges from traditional applications like control cabinets and electronic enclosures, building automation and telecom systems, and outdoor kiosks to emerging applications including alternative energy and electric vehicles. Many of these applications require fans with filtering capability to protect electronics and offer low pressure drop, water resistance, even fire protection, and the ability to capture large amounts of airborne dust. Louvered filter fan kits, louvered fan guards, and filters deliver superior protection compared to regular grills or guards often used with fans, because they provide ingress protection for the fan blades.
Louvered fan guards are a safety mechanism that provide protection against accidental contact with the fan blades, by fingers or other unwanted objects. Louvered filter fan kits are specifically designed to filter and prevent foreign objects such as dust, dirt, and moisture from entering cabinets and enclosures. For example, cooling and protecting a typical industrial cabinet or enclosure installation may require a fan and an additional filter guard or even two fans.
Read the full article in the December issue of DPA.