The ability to communicate machines and objects via the internet is a fundamental requirement of Industry 4.0. To ensure customers can integrate existing “Blue e” cooling units into Condition Monitoring and IoT systems, Rittal announces an adapter that complements the communication capabilities.
Digitization is among the first thoughts of companies operating in every industrial sector. But how is it possible to enter the digital transformation if machines and systems are not equipped with suitable communication interfaces? A “digital retrofit”, which upgrades existing machines and systems with suitable communication technology, may be the ideal solution. This is why Rittal has launched an adapter for its “Blue e” air conditioners on the market that can connect them, quickly and easily, to intelligent Condition Monitoring and IoT (Internet of Things) systems.
The new adapter offers multiple data management possibilities including monitoring up to 10 cooling units in master-slave configuration, collecting and recording data relating to electrical and thermo-mechanical values, energy efficiency analysis of the electrical panel, management of alarms relating to set faults and exceeding of thresholds. All this produces economic savings in terms of energy consumption and prevents sudden and costly downtime.
The control and monitoring of electrical and command components in outdoor applications such as production from renewable sources, public lighting control systems and video surveillance systems are added to the machine management.
The new adapter is compatible with all standard and stainless steel “Blue e” series air conditioners, installed on the roof or on the wall and equipped with a Comfort controller. Similarly, Rittal cooling units with Nema 3R / 4 or Nema 4X classification - often used outdoors - can be integrated into applications Internet of Things.
The entire system can be configured and commissioned via the web server integrated into the IoT interface - quickly, cost-effectively and without programming. The Blue e cooling units are integrated into higher-level systems using the same IoT interface that Rittal markets for units in the next range, Blue e +. Rittal developed the new IoT adapter as the old Blue e units were unable to communicate directly with the IoT interface.
