Evaporative cooling system for a data-communications cabinet

A cabinet for supporting a plurality of electronic devices therein, said cabinet comprising:

• an enclosure;
• a plurality of supports disposed within said enclosure for supporting the electronic devices thereon;
• an air movement device for drawing a flow of air into said enclosure and circulating the flow of air through said enclosure;
• a cold air plenum disposed within said enclosure and including an inlet for receiving the flow of air from said air movement device and a flexible wall defining a cross-sectional area of said cold air plenum;
• a plurality of outlets disposed along said cold air plenum with at least one of said plurality of outlets adjacent each of said supports or directing a portion of the flow of air at each of said supports;
• and
• an evaporative cooler disposed within said cabinet for absorbing heat from the flow of air and for dissipating the heat stored therein by evaporating a liquid disposed on said evaporative cooler into a secondary airflow directed out of said enclosure.