Solid-state enclosure cooling is `world’s first`
At the recent Hannover Fair, Rittal unveiled a solid-state cooling system for small enclosures which, it claims, is the first of its type in the world. The compact thermoelectric coolers are based on the Peltier effect, by which electrical currents are converted directly to produce heating or cooling without needing compressors.
The coolers (above) are said to have an efficiency that is twice that of conventional cooling systems with a similar cooling capacity of 100W. Rittal says that the devices will cut energy costs by 60%. They offer a COP (coefficient of performance) of better than 1, weigh less than 3kg, and measure just 125 x 155 x 400mm. There are two versions: one for 24V DC supplies; the other for 94–264V, 50/60Hz, AC supplies.
An efficient PWM (pulse width modulation) control system and a soft-start function are used to maintain temperatures in the cooled enclosure. An innovative air routing system is said to ensure an optimum air flow to the Peltier elements, while any overheating is detected and indicated. The maintenance-free coolers can be mounted inside or outside a panel, in horizontal or vertical orientations.
The thermoelectric coolers are designed to cool small enclosures. Rittal is using them to round off the lower power range of its TopTherm enclosure cooling series.
