Cases & enclosures


means the enclosure is protected from the outside elements. Rittal also gives the enclosure a double skin. Having a double skin does many things, it helps with the UV solar gain during warmer times protecting the equipment internally just that little bit more from overheating. Alternatively, if cooling (passive or active) is required, the dual casing makes this more manageable. A double skin also means additional heat when the temperature drops, rather than the heat dissipating quickly through the walls of the cabinet. Heat from the equipment or an internal heater means critical equipment can be kept at its optimum working temperature whether its summer or winter. A double skin also means better protection


from intentional or accidental damage. Outer skins can easily be replaced bringing the enclosure back to its original condition whilst the inner skin protects the internal equipment whilst the repair works are being carried out. No need to replace the whole enclosure if only the outer shell is damaged. Other key design features are the ones that


keep outside elements outside. For outdoor enclosures one key element is the Ingress Protection (IP) rating achieved. Rittal suggests IP55 rating as being sufficient for an outdoor enclosure. This means the cabinet is protected from wind driven rain and dust. What is of great importance, is that the


enclosure is designed so that standing water does not pool on the enclosure or sit on the enclosure seals. If the seals are protected, then the risk of leakage into the enclosure is low. Enclosures where water can sit for a prolonged period of times means eventually a breakdown in the seal material. If this standing water, then goes onto freeze it can cause a gap between the enclosure door and housing.


Overhanging roofs that fully protect the enclosure door seal is an imperative design feature that must not be overlooked when placing such a product outdoors. Security is critical outdoor. Whether this be


specific lock types dependant on customer and application, or maybe even remote access could be required. These features need to be options to give the end client peace of mind. Whether the cabinet is in a crowded busy town centre, a remote or an airport runway, access to the inside of the enclosure needs to be limited as much as possible to those who do not have the authority. Whilst the outer design of the cabinet is


arguably the most important the internals of the cabinet need to be versatile, flexible and also future proofed. Technology moves at such a rate these days


that in some instances by the time a system is deployed the electrical components within it


have been superseded. By having a more flexible system for mounting within the cabinet this can mean the ability to upgrade at a later date using the existing enclosures. By doing so it reduces the need for downtime, reduces labour and parts costs and overall saves the end client time and money by allowing a system to be online in a shorter timescale. The need for outdoor systems is increasing due to the ever-expanding requirement for all things to be connected. This need will only increase but it is paramount that when a system is to be placed outside serious consideration is given to the design of the housing that the critical infrastructure equipment will sit in. Whether it be telecoms, rail, airports or highways the overriding factors are the same. Protection from the outside world is key!


Rittal www.rittal.co.uk


The new one: the AX/the KX. Opens up perspectives.


The new generation of compact and small enclosures. Instrumentation Monthly October 2021 www.rittal.co.uk 31


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