Author: Dirk Pieler
In buildings and industrial environments, control cabinets play a crucial role. By protecting control and power distribution components from harmful environmental influences, they are essential for reliable operation. It is therefore important that control cabinets are selected and equipped according to the specific environmental conditions. This also applies to how the enclosure is positioned and mounted. For example, it is often advisable not to place a control cabinet on the floor, but to mount it on a wall. In this blog post, we explain what needs to be considered when mounting a control cabinet on a wall and why it is the more sensible alternative in some applications.
Why is a control cabinet mounted on a wall?
Wall mounting of control cabinets is an established mounting method that arises from various planning, design, and operational considerations. It represents an alternative to floor mounting and expands the possibilities for integrating enclosures into industrial environments.
Space-saving installation
Especially in confined spaces, it is important to mount control cabinets in a space-saving manner. Mounting the enclosure on a wall frees up floor space for other systems, machines, or other equipment.
Protection against impacts and tipping
A wall-mounted control cabinet is less likely to be damaged by forklifts, pallet trucks, or other objects. Furthermore, wall mounting provides additional protection against tipping for larger, floor-standing control cabinets.
Protection against liquids
In environments where the floor is regularly mopped or where liquids spill onto the floor, wall mounting protects the control cabinet from corrosion. With floor mounting, the base of the enclosure would be particularly exposed to these elements in such environments, potentially leading to damage to the control cabinet and the electronic components inside.
Easier operation and maintenance
Wall mounting allows control cabinets to be installed at a convenient working height, ensuring ergonomic access to controls, displays, and maintenance points. This makes it possible to tailor the control cabinet to the needs of operating personnel and maintenance teams, thus streamlining workflows.
What should be considered when wall mounting?
Whether wall-mounted or with additional anti-tip devices for floor-standing enclosures – several aspects must be considered when wall mounting. These depend on both the type of enclosure used and the specific mounting location. Even the choice of mounting point plays a crucial role.
Tip 2: Choose the right wall mounting bracket
The wall mounting bracket forms the basis for the secure installation of the control cabinet. Which version is suitable depends on several factors.
Consider the type of enclosure: Different enclosures usually require specific mounting solutions. For example, stainless steel enclosures typically use stainless steel wall mounting brackets, while plastic enclosures are mounted with plastic brackets.
Consider the mounting location: In production environments and outdoor areas, control cabinets must be securely mounted not only to walls, but also, if necessary, to poles, beams, or other structures. Pole mounts offer a safe solution for attaching enclosures to round or rectangular poles.
Consider special requirements: Depending on the installation situation, further requirements may be relevant. In areas with frequent cleaning cycles and high hygiene requirements, such as in the food industry, a sufficient distance between the wall and the enclosure is important to facilitate cleaning. Special spacers for hygienic design enclosures are available for this purpose; these can be either screwed or welded in place. Clean workmanship is particularly important to avoid hygienically critical gaps.
Tip 3: Consider load specifications
When mounting anything on a wall, it is crucial to observe the load-bearing capacity specifications of the respective wall mounting brackets. If the enclosure being mounted exceeds these specifications, it could, in the worst-case scenario, fall from the wall. Information on the load-bearing capacity can be found in the respective mounting instructions or load-bearing capacity brochure for each wall mounting bracket. Rittal wall mounts are also suitable for dynamic applications. In these cases, it is particularly important to consider the specific application.
Tip 4: Use easy-to-install enclosures
Wall mounting is particularly easy with Rittal's AX series compact enclosures. The stainless steel models feature pre-drilled holes on the rear panel for mounting the wall brackets, reducing installation time and effort. The steel enclosures in the AX series come standard with mounting holes on the back for screwing in the wall brackets. Another practical feature of the AX compact enclosures is the availability of wall mounting brackets that allow for installation by a single person. A wide range of accessories, such as wall fixings and angles, as well as flange plates, internal mounting rails, system lights, etc., can be added to the enclosure using the RiPanel configurator.
Conclusion
Wall mounting of control cabinets offers greater flexibility, safety, and ease of use, depending on the application. However, to ensure long-term reliability, the cabinet type, mounting location, and fastening solution must be carefully coordinated. By considering the specific requirements and using appropriate fastening systems, a stable foundation for safe operation is created.
FAQ
1. What makes wall mounting easier for the AX stainless steel enclosures?
The AX stainless steel enclosures feature center punch marks on the back panel that precisely mark the subsequent drilling or screwing points. This eliminates the need for time-consuming measuring. Installations can be carried out faster, more precisely, and with a lower error rate.
2. How are AX steel enclosures assembled?
The steel housings of the AX series have pre-drilled mounting holes on the back, which can be used directly for screwing in the wall brackets. This allows for stable mounting without additional preparation steps such as drilling or marking.
3. Can an AX compact cabinet be assembled by just one person?
Yes. Special wall mounting brackets are available for the AX series, designed so that a single person can securely position and fasten the cabinet. This saves time and simplifies installation, especially where a second installer is not available.
4. What accessories are available for the AX compact cabinets?
Extensive accessories are available for the AX models , including wall fixings, mounting brackets, flange plates, internal mounting rails, and system lights. These accessories expand the functionality of the enclosure and support safe and standards-compliant installation.
5. How can accessories for AX compact cabinets be configured?
Rittal's RiPanel configurator allows users to directly select the required accessories and add them to the appropriate AX enclosure. The configurator guides the user step-by-step through the selection process and ensures that all components are compatible.