Rittal to preview VX25 Ri4Power System at Drives & Controls 2020

Based on the new VX25 enclosure, this version of the Ri4Power is now even more efficient at distributing electrical power across industrial environments. It also delivers a range of other benefits such as higher current ratings, plus easier monitoring and maintenance. All solutions based on this system have been tested and certified to IEC 61439.

Automation across the electrical and electronics industry is being driven both by a boom in mechanical and plant engineering, and by the deployment of more - increasingly powerful - drive technologies.

Switchgear for electrical power distribution must evolve to meet ever-higher demands - including higher current ratings, in conjunction with compact dimensions. Rittal's new Ri4Power, based on its VX25 enclosure, is the company's response to these challenges. In contrast to its predecessor, the copper busbars have a smaller cross-section, allowing a higher rated current of up to 6300A.

The busbar supports were developed with reduced complexity in mind. As a result, the same support is suitable for both 600mm deep and 800mm deep enclosures. Their symmetrical shape means supports can be used left or right.

Installation has also been simplified: the busbar support can be fastened to the VX25 profile with three screws - without the need for additional materials. The tested support has been designed to accept 30 ×10 and 50 × 10 copper bar. This makes handling of heavy copper bar easier and the panel builder only has to consider two busbar sizes up to 6300 amps.

The new Ri4Power system is based on the VX25, so manufacturers enjoy all the advantages of this enclosure system, including its symmetrical form, highly standardised pitch pattern, reduced number and type of parts, and ease of component installation. Consequently, components can, for example, be mounted on either horizontal or vertical profiles of the VX25 frame, reducing the total quantity of profiles required.

Furthermore, there is a special compartment side panel available for the Ri4Power that can be positioned in either the left or right of the enclosure. This divides the solution into separate compartment according to function, e.g. to create a cable chamber or space for additional components.

The compartment side panel has knockouts every 50mm; these have rounded edges to prevent damage to cables. In the upper part of the enclosure, there is a separate section for the installation of further components, accessible via a flap or panel.

New configuration software

Rittal has developed a new version of its Power Engineering (RPE) software to coincide with the launch of the VX25 Ri4Power system. This makes planning and configuring switchgear fast and simple. Usability was a key focus during the development of the latest version. It is highly intuitive, and requires the input of only a few parameters. This enables manufacturers, even those with no previous experience, to simply and reliably configure type-tested switchgear. Furthermore, interfaces for EPLAN Electric P8, for export of bills of materials to MS Excel, and for import and export for data maintenance are possible.

In addition, the VX25 RPE software for Ri4Power low-voltage switchgear supports quick-and-easy online configuration. Go to www.rittal.co.uk for more information.