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Best Practices for Cooling Outdoor Kiosks

Outdoor ATMs and self-service kiosks are often exposed to extreme temperatures and humidity which can damage the sensitive electronic components within (CPUs, printers, LCD screens). In these situations, it is important to consider an integrated enclosure cooling solution to protect against heat and moisture while extending service life.

Photo: Kooltronic, Inc.

October 6, 2021

Offering the convenience and speed of self-service, kiosks are gaining more popularity worldwide, and it is difficult to imagine life without them. From ticketing and banking to ordering food and printing pictures, kiosks are used for many different types of services; and with advances in technology, applications are always increasing. Kiosks and ATMs typically contain sensitive electronics that include CPUs, printers, and LCD screens. In most applications, when a kiosk is located indoors, auxiliary cooling is not required. The small amount of heat produced inside a typical kiosk is dissipated by convection. However, if the conditions yield slightly elevated temperatures near the upper limits of acceptability, then the addition of an air-moving device, such as a cabinet cooling fan, is an inexpensive method for dissipating the heat - provided the ambient air is clean and relatively cool.

What’s unique about outdoor applications?

Outdoor kiosks and ATMs require additional consideration compared to their indoor counterparts. The reason for this is due to the potential for exposure to extreme weather conditions and harsh environments. The enclosure itself should be upgraded to protect against such adverse conditions, and a solution to counter high temperatures and humidity would also be required. Solar load is a major factor contributing to the cooling capacity necessary for trouble-free operation. Since the ambient air typically cannot be used to cool, active rather than passive methods are necessary. In most situations, an enclosure air conditioner mounted inside the kiosk, which can seal out the outside air and keep internal temperatures down to acceptable levels should be used. It is important to make sure the airflow throughout the kiosk is optimized by component placement to help avoid "hot spots" where the cool air may be blocked or restricted.

Will the kiosk be affected if it’s in a cold environment?

For colder climates, supplemental heat may be necessary to maintain the internal kiosk temperature above the dew point; this may be needed during winter or nighttime throughout the year (even in warmer weather seasons – when humidity is a factor, preventing condensation from forming is paramount for the longevity of the sensitive electronic components within the kiosk). It is recommended that the enclosure air conditioner include a temperature controller and compressor heater to help maintain appropriate temperatures for the unit to operate properly during cold conditions. This is of particular importance when ambient operating temperatures are expected to drop below 50ºF. Heaters should be set to turn on well below the temperature setting of the enclosure air conditioner in order to avoid the heating and cooling systems running simultaneously. Additionally, another good option to incorporate into the cooling unit is remote monitoring alarm capability so temperature conditions can be monitored off-site and potential failures resulting in downtime can be addressed quickly.

Address cooling early in development!

It is best to think about thermal management requirements in the design stage. Some important aspects to consider include:

• Cooling capacity under worst-case environmental conditions.
• The size and space a cooling unit will occupy.
• The airflow path for cool air ventilation.

For expert guidance and support, contact the application specialists at Kooltronic who can help with cooling unit sizing, and recommend the best solution for your outdoor kiosk.