Rittal’s cost-efficient SE 8 enclosures

Users are no longer forced to fall back on an enclosure system different from baying suites when preferring to use free-standing enclosures as stand-alone units. Rittal’s SE 8 enclosures use the same accessories for standalone applications as with the TS 8 bayed enclosures.

Another advantage is the expertise available from system manufacturers relating to the planning and installation of the TS 8 system can be directly transferred to the new enclosures. Since the SE 8 and TS 8’s modular systems for interior installation are identical, planning can be started immediately. Decisions can be made at a later stage as to whether a free-standing or a bayed enclosure is needed.

The SE 8 is a one piece monobloc, consisting of two side panels and a roof, all made from one piece of sheet steel. This makes handling easier, as there is no need to mount the side panels. The rear panel can be unscrewed for easy access to the enclosure. Cable entry solutions can be employed on the integrated base frame, as in the TS 8 bayed system. Doors and base/plinth of the SE 8 have also been adopted from the TS 8 programme.

These design options are interesting for switchgear and control system manufacturers. For instance, the SE 8 free-standing system enclosure now features automatic potential equalisation of the enclosure body with the rear panel and gland plates. Special contact elements, pushed into the surface coating during the assembly procedure, provide a secure and conductive electrical connection. This significantly reduces costs and assembly times. 

The SE 8 offers better possibilities for interior installation than its predecessor (the ES 5000) as expansion on two mounting levels is possible. This increases flexibility and provides additional space. The SE 8 offers major potential savings because larger enclosure widths of up to 1800 mm are possible. Free-standing enclosures do not have to use two bayed enclosures.

Both the TS 8 and the SE 8 share the same climate control platform, from fan and filter unit to chiller, allowing simpler ordering and assembly due to cross-platform common mounting dimensions and output categories. The TS 8 modular climate control concept can be used without any limitations.

Economical alternatives with the same technology are possible when there is certainty that a particular unit is not going to be expanded and that a free-standing enclosure is sufficient. The SE 8, using the same technology, is a reasonably priced alternative to a baying system.

Automated panel wiring
Rittal's sister company, Kiesling Maschinentechnik, has developed Averex, the world’s first production-ready robotic wiring centre (shown opposite).
 Averex has been specially developed for wiring enclosure mounting plates. The system cuts the wires to the correct length before stripping and crimping with wire ferrules, feeding the wires through the cable duct and attaching them to components such as terminal blocks, contactors and motor circuit breakers.

On average, it takes around 180 seconds to complete this wiring process manually but Averex finishes the same task in approximately 40 seconds. Exceptionally reliable, Averex uses lasers to identify parts and check their dimensions against the assembly tolerances. Automation reduces the number of required working hours by approximately 15 per enclosure compared to manual wiring (based on 300 wires).

The control software, with routing module, is particularly simple to use, featuring an intuitive graphics-based operator interface. It can be integrated conveniently with electronic wiring lists and CAD layout tools.

The patented machine head can be rotated by 270 degrees and includes cable routing, cutting, stripping and crimping units, torque-controlled screw tightening.