July/August 2020

n TECHNOLOGY July/August 2020 www.drivesncontrols.com 26 RITTAL CLAIMSTHAT it is“completely redefining”plastic enclosure technology with a new range designed to protect electrical components, even in harsh outdoor environments. The AX enclosures – which replace the previous KS series – incorporate newmounting functions said to make rapid expansion possible and to provide more scope for installations using smart technologies. For the first time, says Rittal, they will transform plastic housings into enclosure systems. The enclosures are based on Rittal’s new generation of sheet-steel and stainless-steel systems that it launched in 2019, and are designed to speed up panel building and switchgear manufacturing. The plastic enclosures use the same system technology. The result, says Rittal, is an enclosure technology that emphasizes simplification, speed and design freedom, while being safe and robust. There are 14 variants, ranging in size from 250mmwide x 350mm high, to 800mm x 1,000mm. Eight of the variants are available with viewing windows. The plastic materials are reinforced with glass fibre and have a high UV resistance. Strips on the upper and lower edges of the doors protect the gaskets against dust and rainwater, and provide double sealing. Class II insulation rated up to 1kV AC is combined with IP66 or Nema 4X ingress protection. Numerous mounting bosses inside the housings help speed assembly. They allow accessories such as punched sections and rails to be screw-fastened to the enclosure interiors and rear panels quickly and directly. Door- operated switches and door stays can also be attached to the mounting bosses. Top-hat rails can be screwed onto the mounting bosses anywhere inside an enclosure. Mounting plates can be screwed easily from the front using pre-assembled bolts, and can also be earthed later via keyholes. QR codes on all of the panels to be machined makes it easier to integrate them into production workflows, paving the way for digital monitoring at all stages from goods receipt through to completion. Punched sections and rails can be mounted on a 25mm pitch pattern. Accessories such as support strips, punched sections and wiring plan pockets can be installed in the doors, giving users an extra mounting surface. Rittal says that with the new plastic enclosures it is offering the best of two worlds – sophisticated technologies combined with robust materials. www.rittal.co.uk Outdoor plastics enclosures ‘redefine’ the technology Compact VSD cuts CO 2 refrigeration costs by up to 25% Rittal says that its new weather-resistant family will transform plastic housings into enclosure systems More Technology reports on our Web site WE POST MANY more technology news reports on our Web site than we have space for in the magazine. Often the Web site also carries longer versions of reports from the magazine. Here are some of the stories (with direct links) that we have posted since the previous issue of Drives & Controls appeared. For a direct link to each story, enter https://drivesncontrols.news/ followed by the code shown in blue. n Ultracapacitors recover braking energy to protect against power cuts 8xxjx n SIL 3 safety controller will help to boost productivity and cut costs 6k9zr n Real-time location system helps to ensure safe factory distancing 9l59k n Platform-independent measurement software is ‘the first’ pk7ae n Next-gen robotics platform is ‘first to support 5G’ dcrl6 n Heavy-duty mobile robots can replace forklifts and handle full shifts 2y8gh n Fast, high-payload delta robot targets order fulfilment and retail logistics cb959 n Cooperative AI helps humans and machines to work together kydwn n 5G router for private industrial networks is ‘the first’ 3nfz8 n Ball-balancing mobile robot carries flexible pneumatic ‘hand’ fctru n 20 years on, gateway family reaches its second generation tunpk THE WELSH drives-maker Invertek Drives has announced a variable-speed drive (VSD) which, it claims, can cut the energy used by CO 2 refrigerant condensing systems by up to 25%. The Optidrive Coolvert drive can optimise the performance and lower the energy costs of the brushless DC compressors used in heat pumps and condensers. The drive is compatible with all types of motor including induction, permanent magnet, brushless DC, synchronous reluctance and line-start machines, with ratings from 1.5–11kW (2–15hp). It has single- and three-phase 200–480V inputs. “Coolvert’s wide voltage and power range and open RS-485 Modbus serial port allows the OEM to seamlessly connect any manufacturer’s application controller to the drive,” says Invertek’s head of sales, Mike Carman. “Its compact design – one of the smallest in the market – makes it ideal for machine-builders who have limited panel space and want system design flexibility. “The retail refrigeration and freezer market is an example of where significant savings in energy costs can be made using Coolvert – in addition to ensuring refrigeration manufacturers are able to meet the EU F-Gas regulations,” Carman adds. Invertek claims that the new drive has the widest ambient operating temperature range in its class (–20°C to +60°C), making it ideal for use in a wide range of environments. The open Modbus RS-485 communications allow connection to external controllers, giving OEMs freedom to choose which components they use. They can also set up optional Bluetooth connections using Invertek’s Optistick Smart device. Through-panel mounting allows chilled air from the condenser to cool the drive’s power electronics. OEMs can use small panels while removing heat generated by the drive and maintaining IP20 front and IP55 rear protection ratings. www.invertekdrives.com/coolvert