RITTAL
Kapslinger
| Product group | Small enclosures | Wall-mounted enclosures | Enclosure systems | Hygienic Design | Outdoor | Console systems | PC enclosure systems | Industrial Workstations | Command panels | Support arm systems | Stand systems | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Material | Plastic | ◼ | ◼ | – | – | ◼ | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| Aluminium | ◼ | – | – | – | ◼ | – | – | – | ◼ | ◼ | – | |
| Sheet steel | ◼ | ◼ | ◼ | – | – | ◼ | ◼ | ◼ | ◼ | ◼ | ◼ | |
| Stainless steel | ◼ | ◼ | ◼ | ◼ | – | ◼ | ◼ | – | ◼ | ◼ | – | |
| Width mm | 58 – 800 | 150 – 1,200 | 400 – 1,800 | 122 – 1,200 | 250 – 2,000 | 600 – 1,600 | 600 – 800 | 600 – 1,000 | 241 – 810 | – | – | |
| Height mm | 64 – 1,000 | 150 – 1,480 | 1,200 – 2,200 | 122 – 1,800 | 350 – 2,000 | 200 – 1,300 | 1,600 | 900 – 1,000 | 200 – 848 | – | – | |
| Depth mm | 36 – 300 | 80 – 673 | 300 – 800 | 80 – 500 | 150 – 800 | 245 – 745 | 630 – 836 | 600 – 645 | 87 – 266 | – | – | |
| Product properties |
|
|
|
|
|
| ||||||
Electrical control cabinet: These are its functions
Control cabinets can be found in many places in the economy: in industrial and production facilities, in the manufacturing sector, in residential areas, in workshops and other areas – in other words, wherever there are technical systems and machines. But what exactly are the functions of control cabinets?
A switch cabinet, also known as an electrical cabinet, control cabinet or simply a housing, contains all the electrical and electrotechnical components required to control the connected machines and systems. These can include terminals and associated cabling, entire terminal strips and a distribution box for electricity. The cabinet has the task of protecting and structuring the electronics.
Control cabinet: Electronics need protection from external influences
The interior needs to be shielded from dirt, dust, water and – depending on whether the cabinet is located indoors or outdoors – also from soil, grime, rain, snow and sand. In addition, there are the working movements of people and machines, which should not come into contact with the electronics, as well as the electromagnetic fields emitted by the devices. A switch cabinet also serves to mount and hold the electrical components, for example by means of mounting rails, and to ensure safety: the cabinet grounds and insulates against dangerous voltages and protects against overheating. Rittal switch cabinets are also usually supplied with a mounting plate.
Plastic control cabinets are extremely robust and durable. The material also offers corrosion protection and is resistant to moisture. Due to these properties, plastic control cabinets are the preferred choice in the maritime industry, railway technology and airports, among others.
Polycarbonate switch cabinet
Polycarbonate, a type of plastic, is an extremely durable and tough material that is also resistant to chemicals. In addition, polycarbonate is lightweight and therefore easier to transport than sheet steel, for example. The material also impresses with its low cost.
Stainless steel refers to alloyed or unalloyed steels that contain at least 10.5 per cent chromium and less than 1.2 per cent carbon. This makes the material particularly durable, resistant and resilient to high heat and corrosion. This makes stainless steel control cabinets perfect for outdoor use – also because they do not rust. They are therefore increasingly found in salt water, swimming pools and in the chemical industry, for example.
Sheet steel control cabinets are designed for use both indoors and outdoors. Thanks to the material used, they are extremely stable and impact-resistant, which makes sheet steel control cabinets particularly attractive for use in mechanical and plant engineering.
Rittal offers aluminium control cabinets that are suitable for use in enclosed spaces. Aluminium control cabinets are used, for example, in building services engineering and in mechanical and plant engineering. For outdoor use, Rittal also offers enclosures with flat aluminium panels and a stainless steel frame.
Overview of switch cabinet types: Enclosures and switch cabinet systems
Rittal naturally offers switch cabinets in various sizes and designs – tailored to your individual requirements. The dimensions and design you choose will depend on where and for what purpose the switch cabinet will be used, as well as how much space is available.
Compact switch cabinets, for example, are popular and are often used in mechanical and plant engineering. Their compact design allows many electrical components – from terminals and mounting plates to lights and sockets – to be accommodated in a limited space. Depending on the size of the electrical components to be installed and the location, there are various designs available for the switch cabinet, such as wall-mounted or floor-standing enclosures.
It is also possible to connect several switch cabinets to form a complete switch cabinet system: a bayed switch cabinet can be connected to other switch cabinets using various mounting elements. But a switch cabinet rarely comes alone: at Rittal, we naturally also stock all the necessary accessories: mounting plates, cable guides, base systems, lock cylinders with security keys, spare parts and everything else your switch cabinet system needs can be found in our range.
Buy switch boxes for special applications
Some switch cabinets are located in environments that have very specific requirements. One example is the food industry, where special legal standards must be met in terms of hygiene. We also have a solution for this with our switch cabinet in hygienic design: it is specially adapted to hygienically sensitive areas where regular cleaning is required.
It may also be the case that a control cabinet is located in an environment prone to earthquakes or explosions. For such cases, we have specially developed control cabinet and enclosure solutions made from various materials that can be installed in such environments.
Rittal ePocket digital circuit diagram pocket
Rittal offers the Rittal ePocket digital circuit diagram pocket to match your enclosure system. The Rittal ePocket is the digital counterpart to physical enclosure documentation: with the Rittal ePocket, you can access and update your machine and plant documentation anytime, anywhere. This speeds up processes along the entire value chain. Curious? Then read more about the details and advantages of our Rittal ePocket.
Find spare parts for your electrical cabinet and order them online
If you ever need spare parts for your switch cabinet system, we also offer a spare parts service. Simply enter the item number in the search field and you will immediately be shown suitable products. You can then order these in the Rittal online shop. If you are looking for a special product or cannot find the item number, please feel free to contact us at any time.
Rittal helps you find the right enclosure, equipment and enclosure system
Choosing the right enclosure can be a complex task, depending on your requirements. As a manufacturer, we are familiar with all the processes involved in selecting and commissioning enclosures, and our services are designed to provide you with support wherever you need it. We are happy to assist you at any time with advice and support in all matters relating to your switch cabinet system. You can also use our RiPanel online configurator to plan switch cabinets for indoor use.
Frequently asked questions about control cabinets
A control cabinet is the ‘home’ for various electronic control components for machines and systems. It protects the electronics inside from external influences such as people, the environment and the weather, and its brackets give structure to the interior. If necessary, it also serves for earthing and insulation.
A switch cabinet protects the electrical components inside with its housing. This means that the electronics are safely shielded from external influences and can function without disruption. In addition, the switch cabinet contains brackets and mounting devices to securely attach the components and connect them to each other. If necessary, a switch cabinet also has a grounding and insulating function.
Control cabinets are available in various materials, such as plastic, stainless steel, sheet steel and aluminium. Depending on the location, switch cabinets are also available in various sizes and designs: small enclosures, wall-mounted enclosures, floor-standing enclosures, compact switch cabinets, stackable cabinets and special switch cabinets for areas with special hygiene requirements and areas at risk of earthquakes or explosions are available for purchase, among other things.
Control cabinets are essential for protecting the electrical components required for the operation of systems and machines from external influences. Depending on the location, these influences can include human and environmental factors such as dust, but also weather conditions such as rain, snow and sun, or even earthquakes. In addition, a control cabinet can have a grounding and insulating function. There are also legal requirements that must be complied with regarding the safety of machines, systems and associated switch cabinets.
A switch cabinet has the advantage that internal electrical components such as terminals, a switch cabinet box and cabling are protected from external influences such as people, the environment and weather conditions. In addition, the electronics essential for the connected systems and machines can be permanently mounted in brackets. Another advantage is the grounding and insulating function that a switch cabinet can have.
If you want to install a control cabinet outdoors, freestanding models made of plastic, stainless steel and aluminium, for example, may be suitable. For enclosed spaces, in addition to the materials mentioned above, a sheet steel control cabinet is also a good choice. There are also models for potentially explosive environments. If a control cabinet is installed in an earthquake-prone area, there are accessories such as an earthquake kit and an earthquake base that complement the standard control cabinet.