Switches in an Outdoor Enclosure
I have a situation where I need to figure out how to a cool a switch stack that is installed in an outdoor cabinet. There are two Cisco 3850s in a steel cabinet mounted on a post. They have been throwing temperature alarms, so looking for suggestion on what can be done to keep them cool. Past experience has shown they can keep themselves warm enough in the winter, but still need to allow for the dusty environment and keeping out snow/moisture.
There are already holes in the bottom where the network cables and power run in/out, so maybe could leverage those somehow? I'm looking for may some sort of weatherproof venting that we could bolt on.
There are already holes in the bottom where the network cables and power run in/out, so maybe could leverage those somehow? I'm looking for may some sort of weatherproof venting that we could bolt on.
You can also install a muffin fan that has a filter to bring in cool air and blow it dust free over the equipment
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Tiny cabinets on the groundJohn, those are probably junction boxes from the cable company. No heat generation in those.
As I said, the cabinet is already there. Suggestions of replacing the cabinet is probably not a good solution. Installing an intake fan, filter or not is going to bring in excess moisture.
I had thought about an exhaust fan, but then since heat rises it would probably work best near the top which means more exposure to the elements. Maybe something with a hood?
Trying to avoid speculation and hoping there is someone who has been in a similar situation working with equipment outdoors.
Exhaust fan with a hood works.
Covered / filtered Fan at the bottom can work.
I have seen this stuff as I noted but I do not have any of my own.
Covered / filtered Fan at the bottom can work.
I have seen this stuff as I noted but I do not have any of my own.
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Do you have a feel for what kind of temperature improvement is needed? IIRC the threshold for shutdown is around 170ºF if you're getting close to that maybe you need to think about a mini A/C unit - again venting will be the sticking point but as they are modular it could be pulled during the colder weather.
@Andy - Hope that GP surgery's not local to you!
@Andy - Hope that GP surgery's not local to you!
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FYI, shutdown temperature shows as 56C and current temp is 46C. I'm working on permission to log in to the switch myself and see if I can get more details.
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Haven't done a permanent solution yet, but these were all good ideas. In the meantime I taped a piece of white paper over the windows and the temperature dropped from 46C to 38C.
I'll update this if I get a better solution, but in the meantime want to give credit where it is due. Thanks all!
I'll update this if I get a better solution, but in the meantime want to give credit where it is due. Thanks all!
Tiny cabinets on the ground, no venting that I can see.
Large steel cabinets with power equipment inside and vents all around that appear like a little cover with the vent hole at the bottom.
ISP's large cabinet a street over (I have seen inside) with vent holes similar to the above, equipment inset from the walls, and not excessively dense. Air cooling and protection from elements.
I would try a cabinet as above. Make sure the equipment is well spaced so that heat can escape from the sides.
Vent holes pointing down eliminate most dust but not all. Some dust in a vented environment is unavoidable.