Feature

Rittal TopTherm Inverter chiller now with reduced depth and greater precision

Rittal’s complete range of Top Therm chillers now has a reduced depth of 605mm, increasing the number of enclosures to which it may be bayed. Chilled water temperature is also now more closely controlled for uses beyond enclosure cooling.

04/08/2013 16:40:44

The condenser fan, relocated to the roof of the unit, provides optimum thermal performance and an incorporated condenser protection grill minimises the risk of damage during transit and installation.

While the temperature of the chilled water supplied for enclosure cooling is important, it is not as critical as that used for process cooling.

Spindle cooling, for example, demands the cooling medium is supplied within a tolerance of ± 0.5K to guarantee the necessary accuracy, otherwise the thermal expansion of the components will cause inaccuracies in the machined workpiece.

Chillers are generally governed by a two-point control system and it is not possible to control within the small hysteresis required for machine element cooling, as the frequent switching would compromise component life.

The new Top Therm incorporates a variable speed compressor powered by a brushless dc motor, the speed of which is controlled by an inverter to deliver the cooling medium at a temperature with the required accuracy.

The capacity of the new range is 2-19.5kW, with chilled water temperature control within +/-0.2K.

Written By Sophia Bell

Sophia Bell is the Group Editor of DPA, Connectivity, and PBSI. She joined the team in 2020 as Assistant Editor after achieving a First-Class Honours BA in English Literature and Film Studies from the University of East Anglia. In her current role, she leads the editorial strategy, driving digital growth and ensuring each title continues to deliver trusted, relevant insight for engineering and manufacturing professionals.