Industry 4.0 scenarios such as Predictive Maintenance are based on the provision of data and networked communication. For this to happen, IoT-compatible devices equipped with the necessary communication options are required.

With its new IoT interface, Rittal is now laying the foundation for the optimal integration of cooling units and chillers in Industry 4.0 applications. Now available from APS Industrial, the Rittal IoT interface makes continuous communication from the sensor to the cloud possible, as well as connection to superordinate monitoring or energy management systems.

A great deal of information is generated when it comes to operating modern climate control solutions in enclosures. Until now, it has only been practical to record operating hours and the current temperature inside the enclosure. But with modern devices like the new cooling units and chillers in the Rittal Blue e+ range, a multitude of values and other information can be measured and recorded.

This includes the temperatures inside and outside the enclosure, the evaporator and condenser temperatures and, where appropriate, measurements from additional sensors located inside the enclosure. Instead of a simple operating hours meter, the run-times of the compressor and internal and external fan are recorded separately. There are also system messages, data for capacity utilisation and the current parametrisation information.