It is generally recommended that enclosures housing sensitive electronic components have a cooling unit installed to ensure trouble-free operation and a long lifespan. Past maintenance procedures associated with this type of setup involved a physical system check, which included measuring temperatures and confirming expected performance. Any critical piece of electrical equipment that stopped working would be identified as a failure, and appropriate action would subsequently be taken.
Today, smart electronics incorporated into the temperature controller help monitor these systems without the need for constant on-site checking – enabling smarter, more efficient operation.
Aside from the ability to monitor electrical enclosure conditions off-site, early warning signs can be detected and addressed before a system fails.
Remote monitoring of electrical enclosure conditions can be accomplished by integrating a digital temperature controller onto an air conditioning unit (pictured left: a Dixell Digital Controller). The digital controller is then linked to a ModBUS-RTU system or compatible monitoring system. An RS-485 serial output allows the controller to be connected to a network line directly or via a special key cable for easy wiring.to a network line directly or via a special key cable for easy wiring.
Once the air conditioner is linked to the ModBUS-RTU system, remote monitoring can commence. Data transmitted to the monitoring system includes information such as current temperature, current set point, device status, and any active alarms. This allows for a quicker response time to failure situations and saves wasted trips to check on sites manually. More advanced monitoring systems can store the data to track conditions over time, allowing for better management of equipment temperatures. Additionally, some remote monitoring systems can notify an operator automatically, via e-mail or text message, when an alarm is triggered at a specific location.
In addition to remotely observing the conditions at the location, one can also remotely manage the unit using the same interface. An operator granted administrative rights of the controller would be able to alter the set point and any other parameters that may need to be adjusted. This will save valuable time and effort as opposed to traveling to and from sites, manually adjusting set points, and learning how the changes affect the conditions of the application. Multiple sites can be monitored at the same time, which greatly increases the efficiency of the technicians responsible for daily site maintenance. Remote monitoring has modernized thermal management units with advanced communication technology, allowing operators to access and control the unit proactively without being on-site. As a result, this feature has the potential to generate considerable time- and cost-savings for the end user.Most Kooltronic Air Conditioners include a digital temperature controller as a standard feature. To learn more about remote monitoring with Kooltronic enclosure cooling units, contact an application specialist or call 609-466-3400.
