Since Rittal was founded, the company’s impressive innovative strength has spawned numerous enclosure generations, with millions of units in use – always ahead of their time. The latest generation – the AX – is a response to the challenges of the Industry 4.0 era and is the new original. Rittal’s new AX/KX line of wallmount and compact enclosures improve efficiency, flexibility, safety and simplicity.
The two latest additions to the Rittal enclosure portfolio offer you improved features, and new opportunities for value creation. The time savings begin with delivery: panels can be removed individually; there is no need for the usual disassembly work. It is also easier to install doors and cam locks, and typically without the need for tools. The wall mounting bracket can now be quickly screwed into place from the outside of the compact or small enclosure – and without impacting the protection rating. This also substantially reduces the risk of damage during transit as the brackets, which protrude beyond the sides of the enclosure, can be attached on-site at the final destination.
A further advantage is the more ample space available in the AX and KX compared to their predecessors, the AE, CM, KL, EB and BG. The increasing number of sensors and actuators being deployed in the switchgear industry is, in turn, raising the quantity of cables to be housed. The new enclosures’ modular design, improved cut-outs, and larger gland plates, create on average a third more space for cables. In addition, integrated locators in the side panels enable simple, precise and time-saving incorporation of the interior installation rails. As the rails also make use of 25mm spacing (pitch pattern), it is possible to use accessories, such as lights or terminal blocks, from the VX25 portfolio. This allows a smaller parts inventory, and there is no need for machining, such drilling, etc.
Safety is a high priority with all Rittal enclosures. When components are installed in the AX and KX, their protection category is maintained without any restrictions. This also applies to UL certification, which is essential for deployment on the North American market. Overall, the new design features make the compact enclosures more robust, and ensure greater resistance in particular to dynamic loads.
Suitable for many requirements
The new product lines provide answers to many and varied needs. KX small enclosures from 150mm x 150mm x 80mm are suitable if only a few components are to be housed in terminal boxes and bus enclosures. AX compact enclosures are available with depths between 120mm and 400mm, and in a maximum size of 1000mm x 1400mm. For all models, there is a choice of spray-finished sheet steel or stainless steel. Despite the greater number of potential use cases, the total number of components and accessories, and as a result complexity, has been markedly reduced.