Safe Cooling In An Explosive Environment

Rittal is expanding its range of cooling units with ATEX approval with a new wall-mounted unit that has a cooling output of 500 W. Now, Rittal enclosures offer safe climate control, even in the lower output range, in dangerous, potentially explosive and dusty Zone 22 environments.

In the chemical industry and particularly in the foodstuffs business, flammable dust-air-mixtures represent as great a danger as explosive gases. When clouds of highly concentrated, flammable dust come into contact with an ignition source in a closed, oxygen-rich environment, explosions can occur. In danger zones like this, only electrical equipment with appropriate ATEX approval may be installed.

This applies especially to the cooling units used for climate control in enclosures. Rittal has now launched a 500 W unit to extend its cooling units with ATEX approval in the lower output range. This innovation has a manufacturer's statement on its suitability for use in ATEX Zone 22, permitting its deployment in dust-laden and potentially explosive environments.

The new unit can be fitted with both basic and comfort control. A special fan design on the outside and a suitable ATEX 22 seal on the enclosure side meet every safety requirement. The control system and setting controls are placed within the enclosure in the interests of safety. Remote monitoring of the cooling unit via a separate interface is available as an option.

Alongside the new 500 watts ATEX cooling systems, Rittal also provides units in the 1,000 and 1,500 W output categories.

SOURCE: Rittal