Natural convection
Convection-cooled resistors are capable of handling ratings of up to 100 kW and rely on the natural flow of air for cooling. This natural air circulation, known as natural convection, occurs in the absence of external airflow mechanisms, such as fans. Self-cooled resistors are particularly well-suited for situations where alternative cooling methods are either unavailable or challenging to implement.
The performance of convection-cooled resistors can be enhanced through forced-air cooling. By incorporating fans or blowers, it is possible to augment the airflow passing through the resistor, thereby increasing its capacity to handle higher power levels. Natural air-cooled resistors are especially well-suited for applications involving pulse loads with brief cycles and substantial power requirements. This includes scenarios like energy dissipation and charging/discharging applications.
