Server racks are everywhere in manufacturing today, no longer confined to the ideal environmental conditions of climate-controlled IT clean rooms. As these servers, routers, PLCs and other mission critical components are distributed to the shop floor, the sensitive electronics must be enclosed in cabinets that protect them from airborne particulates, humidity, and other hazards present on the shop floor.
Paradoxically, the enclosures that isolate the electronics from harmful substances also contribute to a different hazard — overheating. Thermal management is critically important to extend the service life of components, prevent catastrophic failures, and avoid the costs of downtime and repairs.