Middle Atlantic 20 CFM Quiet-cool Cabinet Cooler - Duct Cool Systems CAN Cool Larger - CAB-COOL

Middle Atlantic CAB-COOL 20 CFM Active Cabinet Cooler

The Middle Atlantic CAB-COOL is a compact, active-cooling module designed to push 20 CFM of airflow through enclosed AV racks and security equipment cabinets — the kind of heat-dense enclosures where passive ventilation simply stops working once you stack a few active components. At 5.25" wide, 4.5" tall, and only 3.07" deep, the CAB-COOL mounts inside tight cabinet interiors without sacrificing usable rack space, and its 120V AC input with onboard 12 VDC conversion means no separate power supply is required.

Part of Middle Atlantic's Middle Atlantic thermal management line, the CAB-COOL is engineered for the same enclosed-rack environments their furniture and enclosures are built for — rack cabinets in security head-end rooms, AV system closets, and wall-mount enclosures where heat buildup shortens equipment life and triggers nuisance shutdowns. If you're specifying cabinet cooling solutions for NVR installs, access control panels, or AV distribution racks, this is one of the more field-proven options in that form factor.

Key Features

• 20 CFM Active Airflow: Twenty cubic feet per minute is meaningful airflow in a sealed or semi-sealed cabinet — enough to cycle the air volume of a typical 12U wall-mount enclosure multiple times per minute, keeping component temperatures well below the thermal limits that cause premature failure in NVRs, switches, and power supplies.
• 120V AC Input with Onboard 12 VDC Conversion: The CAB-COOL plugs directly into standard 120V AC — common in any US rack or enclosure — and handles its own AC-to-12VDC conversion internally. You don't need to source or wire a separate DC power supply, which simplifies installation and reduces the component count inside an already-crowded cabinet.
• Active (DC-Powered Fan) Design: Unlike passive vent panels that rely on convection, active cooling moves air regardless of how the cabinet is oriented or sealed. For fully enclosed cabinets — particularly lockable security enclosures where door-open operation isn't an option — active airflow is the only reliable thermal management approach.
• Compact Footprint — 5.25" × 4.5" × 3.07": The CAB-COOL's depth of just over 3 inches means it fits inside most shallow wall-mount and free-standing enclosures without protruding into equipment clearance zones. Width at 5.25" fits standard cabinet cutout positions without modification.
• Lightweight at 1.3 lbs Shipped: At under 1.5 lbs shipping weight, the CAB-COOL adds negligible load to wall-mount cabinet installations where enclosure weight ratings matter — particularly relevant on single-gang or small-footprint wall boxes.
• Black Finish — Matches Standard Rack Aesthetics: The black finish integrates cleanly into black-interior rack cabinets and enclosures without the visual noise of mismatched hardware — a minor point, but one that matters in client-facing installations.
• Duct-Cool Compatible: The CAB-COOL is designed to work within Middle Atlantic's Duct Cool system, meaning it can be paired with duct accessories to direct conditioned airflow to specific heat-generating zones inside larger enclosed racks — useful when a single ambient-air fan isn't enough and you need targeted cooling at a high-wattage component.

Integration and Compatibility

The CAB-COOL is designed for use with rack enclosures and cabinet accessories from Middle Atlantic's furniture line, though its standard 120V plug and compact rectangular form factor make it compatible with most third-party enclosed cabinets that provide a cutout or mounting position for active cooling modules. It functions as a standalone cooling unit or as part of the Duct Cool system when directed airflow is needed inside larger enclosures.

This unit is not available for international shipment and is not TAA compliant — federal government procurement programs requiring TAA compliance will need to evaluate alternative thermal management options. For domestic commercial and enterprise deployments — security integrators building out NVR head-end rooms, IT teams managing enclosed network gear, or AV system designers specifying equipment closets — the CAB-COOL is a straightforward, field-serviceable active cooling solution. Pair it with a rack power distribution unit for clean 120V sourcing inside the enclosure.

When specifying cooling for larger enclosed racks with higher heat loads, consider stacking multiple CAB-COOL units or evaluating higher-CFM options in Middle Atlantic's thermal management catalog — 20 CFM is well-suited for small-to-mid enclosures but may be undersized for a fully loaded 42U rack running 24/7.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What voltage does the CAB-COOL require?

A: The CAB-COOL requires 120V AC input, standard US wall/rack power. It converts internally to 12 VDC to drive the fan — no separate DC supply is needed.

Q: How much airflow does the CAB-COOL deliver?

A: The CAB-COOL moves 20 CFM (cubic feet per minute) of air. This is sufficient for small-to-mid enclosed cabinets; for larger or higher-heat enclosures, multiple units or a higher-CFM model should be evaluated.

Q: What are the physical dimensions of the CAB-COOL?

A: Width 5.25 in (13.3 cm), Height 4.5 in (11.4 cm), Depth 3.07 in (7.8 cm). Shipping weight is 1.3 lbs (0.6 kg).

Q: Is the CAB-COOL TAA compliant?

A: No. The CAB-COOL is not TAA compliant per manufacturer specifications. Federal procurement programs requiring TAA compliance should consider alternative products.

Q: Can the CAB-COOL be used with Middle Atlantic's Duct Cool system?

A: Yes. The CAB-COOL is compatible with Middle Atlantic's Duct Cool system, allowing directed airflow to specific components inside larger enclosed enclosures.

Q: Is the CAB-COOL available for international orders?

A: No. This product is not available for international shipment per manufacturer documentation.

Ted Perry

The CAB-COOL (sometimes searched as CAB COOL) punches above its size for enclosed security and AV cabinet work — 20 CFM of active airflow out of a module that's barely 3 inches deep is the right answer when you're dealing with a fully sealed lockable enclosure that you can't rely on convection to cool. The 120V-to-12VDC onboard conversion is the detail that saves you the most time on install: one power connection, no external brick, no wiring a DC rail.

Technical Highlights:

• 20 CFM Active Cooling: Moves enough air to make a real difference in small-to-mid enclosed cabinets — think 6U to 12U wall-mount boxes running an NVR, PoE switch, and a couple of access control panels. Passive panels won't do this reliably in a sealed box.
• 120V AC / 12 VDC — No External PSU: The onboard AC-to-DC conversion keeps your cabinet cleaner and your installation faster. Source 120V from the rack PDU and you're done — no accessory power supply to spec, procure, or mount.
• 3.07" Depth: In a shallow wall-mount enclosure, depth is the constraint everything else has to fit around. At just over 3 inches, the CAB-COOL doesn't eat into equipment clearance — a detail that matters more than the CFM number in a tight 4U or 6U install.

Deployment Considerations:

• The CAB-COOL is not TAA compliant — confirm procurement requirements before specifying on any federal, state, or municipal contract that includes TAA as a line-item condition.
• 20 CFM is the ceiling here, not a scalable value. If your enclosure heat load grows — more NVR drives, a higher-wattage switch, added access control hardware — plan for a second unit or evaluate a higher-CFM model from the same thermal management line before you commission the install.

Best fit: security integrator head-end rooms and AV system closets in commercial buildings where lockable enclosed cabinetry is specified for aesthetics or client access control, and where ambient convection alone won't keep component temps in range across a 24/7 operating cycle.