RITTAL
Climate control
Creating an equilibrium in your enclosure – climate control for all areas of application
The electronics inside an enclosure are becoming increasingly complex and sensitive, especially since the arrival of microelectronics. For example, climate control is vital for the enclosures containing high-performance components that are required in production environments. After all, appropriate climate control is essential to give electronics a long service life. The application-specific requirements must be factored in from the outset. What are the ambient conditions? What external influences act on the enclosure, including humidity, dust and heat? What cooling output and, if necessary, heating output is required? Other aspects that play a role include whether the enclosure is free-standing or integrated into a system, and whether heat dissipation is active or passive.
Enclosure climate control units – background and development
An appropriate climate control solution for enclosures can do more than just prevent electronics from reaching the end of their service life prematurely. It can also make electronic components last much longer. After all, the ever higher packing density in enclosures has also increased the heat loss from electrical components. What’s more, the fact that enclosures are becoming ever more fully sealed and impermeable due to protection category requirements is also making it more difficult for the heat to escape – and we all know heat is the enemy of sensitive electronics. As a general rule of thumb, a 10 °C rise in operating temperature doubles the failure rate of electronics and halves the overall service life. How, though, do you plan a climate control concept for an enclosure system?
Climate control units for enclosures – adequate planning is a success factor
A field study conducted by Rittal revealed that mistakes are often made when planning and installing enclosures and climate control solutions. These mistakes can be avoided using correct planning with appropriate tools to ensure your enclosure system incorporating climate control benefits from an optimum design that takes your specific requirements into account. The first step is therefore to perform a thorough analysis and weigh up the options. Is a liquid cooling system suitable? Can the ambient air be used? And is enclosure heating required? The type of climate control selected will depend on the ambient temperature and the level of contaminants. Analysing your requirements can sometimes be a complex undertaking, so Rittal helps you by providing tools, planning software and advice.
Enclosure climate control with the Climate Control QuickFinder
Our Climate Control QuickFinder makes it easy and convenient for you to determine the right climate control solution for your requirements in just three steps. We will send you an e-mail with the result, outlining how best to implement your climate control solution. Give our Climate Control QuickFinder a try – it’s free to use and places you under no obligation!
Button: Climate Control QuickFinder
RiTherm planning software for your enclosure climate control unit
Rittal has developed its RiTherm planning software to offer you the best possible support when it comes to designing your enclosure climate control solution. As a result, you can combine cost-effectiveness, net zero credentials and energy efficiency when calculating the thermal requirements for both indoor and outdoor enclosures. RiTherm ensures needs-based, reliable and energy-efficient climate control, including standard-compliant documentation with proof of the carbon footprint. You can use RiTherm for free, so make a start on your planning right now!
Start RiTherm planning software
How climate control solutions work
Air cooling
Air cooling means using ambient air to cool equipment and electronics. For this to work properly, external temperatures must be lower than the desired internal ones and the ambient air must be relatively clean. This method dissipates heat highly cost-effectively, and a variety of fan types for air cooling are available.
Cooling units
Cooling units ensure the temperature inside the enclosure (system) remains at a constant level – regardless of the ambient temperature. Separating the incoming and outgoing air stops dust getting into the system. Air routing can be adapted to specific requirements. You can view our cooling units here.
Liquid cooling
Another enclosure climate control option is liquid cooling. This type of cooling is popular for applications such as process and machine cooling that involve a high cooling load. A liquid cooling system in the shape of an air/water heat exchanger ensures sufficient climate control under challenging conditions.
IT cooling
To ensure needs-based climate control for sensitive IT solutions such as standalone racks or complete data centres, appropriate IT cooling is a must. The main focus is on reliability and efficiency, as the units must operate on a failure-free basis. Our IT cooling solutions can balance out extremely high thermal loads and prevent outages. You can explore our applications for server rack climate control here.
Heaters
When warm, humid air comes into contact with cold surfaces, condensation forms. This is a familiar sight on window panes in the winter – and the same thing happens in an enclosure under these conditions. Enclosure heaters control humidity and prevent the temperature from falling below the dew point. This stops condensation forming in the enclosure and prevents consequential damage such as corrosion and short-circuits.
Outdoor climate control
When an enclosure is located outdoors, an appropriate climate control solution is essential because of the direct exposure to external temperatures. Regardless of whether you need to cool or heat components, Rittal has the right outdoor climate control solution for you.
Accessories
Rittal offers a range of compatible accessories to help you adapt your climate control system to your specific requirements. For example, filter mats are recommended when using filter fans in areas with high dust levels, while an air duct system can route cold air to exactly the right components in the enclosure. Enclosure accessories to discharge and transport condensate are also available. Why not explore our solutions?
Spare parts
It goes without saying that Rittal also supplies spare parts for your climate control solutions. Our range includes everything you need – from fans, sensors and enclosure components through to expansion joints, dryers, coils and other spare parts for your enclosures.
Software for climate control – IIoT applications
The Industrial Internet of Things – IIoT for short – has become essential in the context of Industry 4.0. IIoT refers to the intelligent and smart networking of machinery, equipment and sensors. Rittal, too, offers IIoT applications. For example, the IoT interface can be installed to monitor physical environmental conditions by connecting cooling solutions and sensors to each other. The Rittal portfolio also includes interfaces for control commands and to control the supply of energy. Take a look at our IoT applications for your enclosure and climate control solutions right now!
A new generation – the Blue e+ cooling unit
To ensure it continues to offer state-of-the-art technology – and in response to the latest challenges, such as net zero and energy efficiency requirements – Rittal has developed a new generation of cooling units. Blue e+ cooling units combine sustainability and efficiency. Their hybrid technology ensures average energy savings of 75 percent compared with conventional units. What’s more, their components have a longer service life and can be used worldwide, thanks to compatibility with all mains voltages. Digital services complete the package. Blue e+ cooling units shrink your carbon footprint and help you move towards net zero.
Smart applications make these cooling units easier to use, too. Cooling unit data is shared on a contactless basis, and the status of units can be transmitted and viewed. The touch interface is also easy to operate. This cooling solution ensures compliance with the high IP 55 and IP 56 protection categories when used outdoors. You can find further information about Blue e+ cooling units here.
Your enclosure climate control unit from Rittal
An appropriate climate control solution is normally a must for any enclosure system. To ensure needs-based climate control that can be geared to your specific requirements, Rittal offers the Climate Control QuickFinder and RiTherm planning software. If required, we will be more than happy to arrange a consultation with you. That’s not all, though. We will also be pleased to take care of the assembly, installation and commissioning of your climate control solution and help you with maintenance.
Get in touch with us now – without any obligation!
FAQs about enclosure climate control
There are various types of climate control for cooling an enclosure and the electronics inside. For example, an air cooling system uses ambient air to reduce the heat level, while a cooling unit keeps the temperature at a constant level. A liquid cooling system – in the form of an air/water heat exchanger, for instance – is also an option. Which of these is the right solution depends on the relevant ambient conditions and your specific requirements.
In principle, the electrical components inside an enclosure are designed for a maximum temperature of 50 °C. However, since high temperatures significantly reduce the service life of these components, a maximum temperature of 35 degrees Celsius is normally the target.