Modern production processes rely on increasingly powerful and sensitive equipment housed within enclosures. Selecting the optimal climate control solution is crucial to ensure their longevity and optimal performance.
Selecting the most effective climate control solution requires a comprehensive evaluation. Here are some key factors to consider:
Environmental Conditions: Is the area hot, humid, or dusty? These factors influence cooling needs.
Heat Dissipation: Do your components generate high heat loads requiring active cooling (fans or air conditioners), or is passive dissipation (relying on the enclosure surface) sufficient?
Cooling Capacity: How much heat needs to be removed to maintain optimal operating temperature?
Installation Type: Free-standing enclosures have better heat dissipation compared to those integrated into cabinets or walls.
Noise Constraints: Are there noise limitations in the workspace that might restrict certain cooling options (e.g., fans)
Field study
A study by Rittal examining hundreds of industrial climate control setups uncovered a surprising truth: many installations suffered from avoidable inefficiencies. The root cause? A lack of proper planning.
To optimise the performance of climate control solutions, while also minimising their energy consumption, climate control needs to be planned correctly.
Typical failings resulting from incorrect climate control:
In 64% of installations, the warm components were not located in the air stream between the inlet and outlet of the climate control unit
50% of the units examined have a capacity utilisation of less than 20%.
In 93% of installations, no targeted cold-air circulation was envisaged/installed.
40% of units had heavily soiled filter mats and inadequate maintenance.
In 18% of installations, the climate control unit’s inlet or outlet was obstructed in some way.
19% of installations had air short-circuits.
Air Cooling
Cooling Units
Units for cooling with ambient air are ideal for dissipating heat loads with excellent cost-efficiency. The pre-requisite is relatively clean ambient air at a temperature that is lower than the desired temperature inside the enclosure.
Requirements:
Relatively clean ambient air
An ambient temperature lower than the desired temperature inside the enclosure
Benefits:
Particularly energy-efficient
Fast, cost-effective installation
No customer infrastructure required
Cooling units keep the temperature inside the enclosure at a constant level, regardless of the ambient temperature. The air routing meets individual requirements. Two separate circuits prevent the ingress of dust into the enclosure.
Requirements:
Also suitable for use in warm or dusty ambient air
Ambient temperature at least as high as the desired temperature inside the enclosure
Benefits:
Two separate circuits prevent the ingress of dust into the enclosure
The temperature inside the enclosure is kept at a constant level
Liquid Cooling
Enclosure Heater
Efficient liquid cooling is used wherever a high cooling load is required – for example, in process and machine cooling or if using air/water heat exchangers to dissipate heat losses from enclosures.
Requirements:
Also suitable for use in corrosive or oily ambient air
Ambient temperature can be higher or lower than the temperature inside the enclosure
A supply of cooling water must be ensured at the installation site
Benefits:
Exceptional temperature accuracy (constant water temperature)
Can cool both enclosures and machine tools
Suitable even for extremely high ambient temperatures
Condensation poses a particular risk for control electronics, especially with outdoor siting. Having a range of output categories ensures the correct thermal output is always available.
Requirements:
No requirements relating to the ambient air/temperature outside the enclosure
Benefits:
Distributes warm internal air evenly
Avoids subnormal temperatures in switchgear
Accessories
Superbly coordinated components tailor the climate control components perfectly to your specific requirements – from targeted air routing and precise control of equipment to the appropriate consumables.
Benefits:
Monitoring, control and individual air routing can further increase the efficiency and reliability of climate control components
Rittal Climate Control Resources
Enclosure cooling
It doesn't have to be a headache! Get the most out of your equipment with Rittal’s free enclosure cooling guide.
How to achieve the perfect climate inside your enclosure
In this guide, we explain how to avoid costly mistakes due to enclosures overheating, and more! This whitepaper emphasises the importance of maintaining suitable temperatures within electronic enclosures.
If you have any questions or inquiries regarding Rittal Climate control solutions, please contact local branch where they can assist you.
