Until now measuring stations have been connected by cable. With its CMC-TC wireless sensor network, Rittal has now found a solution to the challenge of installing sensors outdoors or at inaccessible locations on racks or in data centres.

With its CMC-TC wireless sensor network, Rittal has now found a solution to the challenge of installing sensors outdoors or at inaccessible locations on racks or in data centres.

The sensors in Rittal's CMC-TC monitoring system measure ambient parameters such as humidity and temperature, collect important technical data and control access to data centres. In the past, if a sensor was needed outdoors or at an inaccessible location in the data centre, monitoring was not possible at this location. Rittal's computer-controlled CMC-TC wireless sensor network now provides a solution to this problem.

The wireless I/O unit is the core feature of Rittal's wireless sensor network. It is cabled with Processing Unit II (PUII). This connection is used for the purposes of data exchange and to supply power to the wireless I/O unit. Up to four wireless I/O units can be connected to one PU II. Via an antenna fixed to the housing these I/O units collect information from up to 16 wireless sensors. There are four different sensor types to choose from.

Indoors, the sensors can operate at distances of up to 50 metres, with 200 metres possible outdoors - in both cases this is subject to a clear line of sight. These ranges can be increased using repeaters. Generally, however, the line of sight is not a prerequisite for the system to function.

Radio transmission is via a frequency range (ISM band) of 2.4-2.48 GHz, which is licence-free for the user. The use of so-called chirp impulses provides a high degree of security against interference from other radio communication systems in the same frequency range.

The wireless sensor network can be used in racks, cabinet units, IT rooms, buildings, factories, warehouses, industrial plants and outdoors. This means that even cross-industry use is possible. The wireless sensors will function for up to five years. This is because they are fitted with long-life 3.6 V primary lithium cells, which can simply be replaced if required. The modern chirp radio transmission technology achieves particularly low power consumption.

The wireless sensor network is easy to install thanks to the plug & play system. To determine the optimum wireless connection for the installation location, Rittal offers a wireless measuring system with digital display.

About Rittal
Since its foundation in the year 1961, Rittal GmbH & Co. KG, based in Herborn/Germany, has become a worldwide player. Today, Rittal is one of the world's leading system suppliers for enclosure and housing technology, with over 10,000 standard products available for immediate delivery, and a sought-after solution provider in all areas of industry and mechanical engineering, as well as a trendsetter for all segments of the IT market. Rittal stands for future-oriented and comprehensive solutions, service and consulting competence.

The Rittal product spectrum covers the fields of industrial enclosures, electronic packaging, system climate control, power distribution, IT solutions and communication systems.

Under the heading "Rittal together - Complete IT Competence" Rittal (modular, scalable and comprehensive IT infrastructures) in alliance with its subsidiaries Lampertz (physical IT security and IT solutions) and Litcos (consulting and planning partner for efficient data centre structures, as well as extensive business continuity management) offer a coordinated range of products, solutions and services for efficient, safe and ecological data centres. The group also includes Eplan (Europe's Number One for software solutions for mechanical engineering, plant construction and industry in general).

In order to serve the world's market places optimally, 19 high-tech production locations supply 60 subsidiaries, 150 sales and logistics centres and more than 70 agencies around the globe. In Germany, 22 Rittal sales and logistics centres covering the whole country are catering for the customers' every need. With over 10,500 employees worldwide, Rittal International is the largest company of the Friedhelm Loh Group, based in Haiger, Germany. The group employs more than 11,600 people.

Courtesy of Rittal