February 2012

Due to increasing packing density, heat loss in enclosures is rising significantly, and higher cooling outputs are required. One example that illustrates this is the significant growth recorded in cooling systems of 5kW or more in the period from 2006 to 2010. Since water has noticeably better thermal conductivity than air and allows more efficient cooling in a smaller space, air/water heat exchangers have also been successful in mechanical and plant engineering. The Rittal LCP (Liquid Cooling Package) technology, which has been tried and tested for years, is now also available for use in mechanical and plant engineering for the first time. Due to a complete separation of the water circuit and electronic components in the enclosure, the air/water heat exchanger gives maximum protection against water.
The Rittal TS 8 enclosure serves as the basis for the LCP Industry. Thus subsequent integration into existing system environments is also possible at any time. In contrast to the IT variant, in which the 482.6 mm (19") level is cooled laterally at a constant 22 degrees Celsius, air routing in the industrial LCP is adapted to the requirements of enclosure climate control. Since the cold air has to be routed to the bottom of the enclosure, right in front of the mounting plate, the warm air is taken in from the top and blown out cold at the bottom. In the enclosure, a typical control temperature of 35 degrees Celsius must be maintained. Two high-power blowers provide for very good air circulation. Both air intake as well as cold air exit is possible on both sides. The bayable air/water heat exchanger can be flexibly mounted in the middle between two enclosures or at the outer end of an enclosure suite. The option of mounting the water connection above or below and the variable air routing provide room for individual adaptations. The fact that the essential components are easily accessible facilitates replacement when service is needed. The TS 8 TopTherm Chiller combined with the product solutions for door, base and roof heat exchangers offers customers an integrated complete solution based on water-cooled systems.

Email: c.thorpe@rittal.co.nz