The density of modern switchboards—loaded with variable speed drives (VSDs), soft starters, and compact control gear—creates a dangerous thermal environment. In Australia’s industrial and mining sectors, high ambient temperatures push passive enclosures beyond safe limits. Without active airflow, sensitive electronics degrade rapidly, triggering nuisance tripping and early failure.

Enter the Forced Ventilation Fan: not just a convenience, but a critical safeguard for thermal stability in high-performance switchgear.

Positive Pressure: A Smarter Design Philosophy

Effective switchboard ventilation relies on more than just moving air, it’s about controlling the flow. Industry best practice is clear: always pressurise with cool, filtered air from below.

By installing the fan unit at the lower third of the enclosure and positioning an exhaust grille at the top, the cabinet maintains positive pressure. This configuration:

• Prevents dust ingress through glands and panel seals
• Directs air consistently across hot zones
• Eliminates reverse airflow paths that introduce contamination

In dusty or corrosive sites, this method protects internal components from conductive dust, which could otherwise cause flashovers on busbars or terminal blocks.

Engineering Airflow: Not Guesswork

Choosing the right fan starts with real data, not assumptions. The required airflow volume (m³/h or L/s) is based on:

• Internal heat load (Watt dissipation from VSDs, power supplies, etc.)
• Maximum allowable temperature rise (ΔT)
• Filter and grille impedance losse.

Using these, engineers can determine the correct fan curve, ensuring consistent cooling without overloading or under-performing.

Oversized fans? Waste energy and increase filter wear. Undersized fans? Risk overheating and equipment damage. The solution must be precise—and designed to match filter resistance and enclosure volume.

IP Compliance & Filtration Integrity

Cutting a hole into a sealed cabinet compromises its IP rating. To restore protection, forced ventilation systems must include:

• Labyrinth louvers to block splash water and debris
• G4-rated filters to trap fine particulates
• Sealed mounts with polyurethane gaskets

For most industrial settings, IP54 is the minimum benchmark, resisting both dust and splashes. SCHNAP Electric Products meets and exceeds this through robust fan assemblies designed specifically for tough Australian environments.

These units feature:

• Click-fit installation
• Tool-free filter replacement
• Secure gasket seals for washdown resistance

Maintenance: The Overlooked Failure Point

Fans don’t fail from motor issues, they fail from neglected filters.

As filters clog, airflow drops, heat builds up, and the switchboard behaves as though it has no ventilation at all.

Best practice includes:

• Thermostatic control – fans activate only above a set temperature (e.g., 35°C), extending lifespan
• Airflow sensors – trigger alarms if velocity drops below safe limits
• Scheduled filter replacement – using compatible mats to preserve IP integrity

SCHNAP’s replacement filters are stocked in all standard sizes, ensuring reliable servicing across all installed sites.

Supply Chain Assurance & Product Reliability

Not all fans are equal. Low-cost models may use:

• Sleeve bearings that seize under heat
• Low-grade plastics that warp or deform
• Incompatible voltages or non-compliant wiring

SCHNAP Electric Products exclusively supplies ball-bearing fans with long L10 life ratings, rated for 230V 50Hz use, with RCM compliance. Our range is trusted by:

• Switchboard builders
• Site maintenance teams
• Commercial electrical contractors

We also stock compatible replacement filters, thermostats, and airflow monitors—ensuring every installation is complete and serviceable.

Conclusion

A forced ventilation fan is more than airflow—it’s electrical insurance.

By choosing positive pressure cooling, performing accurate airflow calculations, and sourcing compliant, high-quality fans from trusted manufacturers like SCHNAP Electric Products, electrical wholesaler safeguard the core of their power systems.

When the heat is rising, airflow is everything.

Let your enclosures breathe, safely, quietly, and reliably.