RACKS, CABINETS & ENCLOSURES FEATURE
The implementation of a semi-regular maintenance schedule doesn’t have to be massively time-consuming. Even something as simple as a weekly visual check of cooling equipment filter mats or any system alarms can alert you in good time to call in the experts, who can then perform a more detailed review for you.
“MY EQUIPMENT IS CURRENTLY OPERATING AND I HAVEN’T SERVICED IT IN MONTHS/YEARS” The problem may be “out of sight, out of mind” for now, but the longer your cooling equipment is left unchecked, the higher the risk.
For example, if a fan unit is in a dusty environment and the filter mat becomes clogged, this will reduce its effectiveness to cool the electrical equipment within due to a reduced level of air throughput. This in turn can increase the enclosure internal temperature. As a rule of thumb, for every ten degrees Celsius that the internal temperature is increased by, you halve the life of the equipment within and increase the likelihood of an unexpected failure.
“WE JUST OPEN THE ENCLOSURE DOOR FOR A WHILE” This is treating the symptoms rather than the illness. If one is having to resort to a tactic such as using large fans to blow ambient air into an open enclosure, then more damage than good could be inflicted. Not to mention that this is a massively dangerous solution from a health and safety standpoint.
An enclosure’s purpose is to create an environment in which electrical equipment is protected from ambient contaminants. Having the door open allows a constant stream of dirty air to flow into the enclosure. This will then gather in switchgear/connection points and can cause short circuits, or block on-board fans, resulting in damage to componentry, reduced life and possible critical component failure. If this course of action is required, it can point to the fact that the cooling equipment currently employed is not adequate for the installation, or it requires some level of maintenance to bring it back into working order. A RiAssure free cooling review from Rittal is appropriate in this instance, as a local climate control expert will perform a short appraisal of existing equipment, giving honest feedback as to whether the equipment is adequate, and also providing details/ quotations for a service contract to suit any ongoing needs.
“I DON’T HAVE THE MANPOWER/WE HAVE A COMPANY WHO DOES THAT WORK FOR US”
Many companies inform Rittal that they outsource their servicing to a third party. However, one tends to question what checks are being performed, given cases
of overheating, for example. On one occasion, Rittal asked the customer to speak with their current service provider, to understand what checks were being undertaken, because the cooling units were in quite a state of disrepair. It became clear, after a short discussion, that they serviced the air conditioning in the offices, without considering the equipment in the factory. Obviously, this is not the case for all service providers out there. However, climate control equipment is becoming increasingly efficient, while new, sophisticated technology is launched every year. The only guarantee of the highest level of checks and service will come from engineers who have been trained by the manufacturers on the technology to be serviced and its detailed workings. Rittal believes it delivers this service: specialising in climate control equipment for 30 years, one can feel assured that issues will be remedied. After all, taking the introductory example again and reflecting it upon your own business,
ask yourself, can you afford to not have the correct maintenance organised for your projects?
Rittal
www.rittal.com
IT INFRASTRUCTURE / ELECTRONICS
SOFTWARE & SERVICES
www.rittal.co.uk
ELECTRONICS | NOVEMBER 2019
21
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