Abstract: A cooling apparatus for electrical equipment having heat-generating components, air-intake apertures and air-outlet apertures includes a fan, a forward-rotation power control circuit, a reverse-rotation power control circuit, an indicator, a long-term timer and a short-term timer. The forward-rotation power control circuit rotates the fan in a forward direction such that air flows in through the air-intake apertures, over the heat-generating components and away through the air-outlet apertures, in response to a forward-rotation command signal. The reverse-rotation power control circuit rotates the fan in the opposite direction. The long-term timer continuously applies the forward-rotation command signal to the forward-rotation power control circuit during a first predetermined period. The indicator indicates the expiration of the first predetermined period.