Short definition
Climate calculation refers to the thermal design of enclosures and electrical operating rooms to ensure permissible operating temperatures for automation components. It determines the required cooling capacity based on the power loss of electrical components, ambient conditions and protection class of the enclosure. The calculation is carried out in accordance with DIN EN 61439-1 or VDI 3428 and takes into account factors such as solar radiation, room volume and thermal conductivity. A precise climate calculation prevents thermal overload and ensures the longevity of PLCs, frequency inverters and power electronics.
Functional principle
The climate calculation is based on recording all heat sources in the enclosure - from PLC CPUs and power supply units to power semiconductors. Their power losses are totaled and compared with the natural heat dissipation through convection and radiation. If passive cooling is insufficient, the necessary cooling capacity for fans, air conditioning units or heat exchangers is calculated. Modern calculation tools such as Rittal Therm or EPLAN Pro Panel simulate temperature distributions three-dimensionally and take critical hotspots into account. The design is carried out under worst-case conditions with safety reserves for maximum operational reliability.
Areas of application
Climate calculation is critical for all automation solutions in membrane filtration systems, especially when installed close to the process in production halls with high ambient temperatures or direct sunlight. It ensures the trouble-free operation of temperature-sensitive components such as analog modules, communication modules and touch panels. In hazardous areas or clean rooms, air conditioning also requires compliance with specific standards and protection concepts.
Typical areas of application:
- Outdoor control cabinets for water treatment systems
- Process-related control systems in thermally stressed production environments
- Frequency inverter cabinets with high power loss
- Air-conditioned technical rooms for SCADA servers and network technology
- Mobile container systems with limited natural ventilation
Summary
A professional climate calculation prevents thermally induced failures, reduces unplanned downtimes and significantly extends the service life of electrical components. It is a prerequisite for CE conformity and fulfills the warranty requirements of component manufacturers. For system manufacturers and operators, it means investment security, minimized maintenance costs and maximum system availability in automated filtration systems.
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