XCB: advanced electronic control for the thermal management of electrical cabinets

By | | Industrial Air Conditioning, News, Heat exchangers, Industrial Ventilation, Your Cooling Solutions

In the cooling of electrical cabinets, control is not a secondary detail: it impacts performance and efficiency, reliability and continuity of service, integration into the system and speed of installation. With XCB, Cosmotec offers a common control platform for various thermal management solutions:

Its advanced functions are designed to simplify the work of those who design, build, and commission electrical panels for critical applications: automation, energy distribution, telecommunications, and systems installed even in harsh environments.

Shielded from external agents

XCB is located inside the internal compartment of the units: being in direct contact with the electrical enclosure, it is protected from dust, oil mist, humidity, and temperature fluctuations, which are commonly found in manufacturing environments such as the metalworking, chemical, and food processing industries. The result is a significantly longer service life and fewer maintenance interventions related to electronic failures.
The user interface display, on the other hand, is installed on the external side of the units, allowing operators to view and modify operating parameters, check alarms, and monitor temperatures in real time without opening either the unit or the electrical enclosure.

Modbus RTU
native integration with plant supervision

One of the key strengths of XCB is its ability to provide continuous remote monitoring via RS485 / Modbus RTU. This connectivity makes it possible to integrate air conditioners and heat exchangers into plant supervision systems using an open protocol widely adopted in industrial automation, simplifying integration with BMS, PLC, and centralized control platforms.

Through the Modbus protocol, it is possible to:

  • Monitor internal temperature and operating status
  • Detect the main operating parameters of the unit in real-time to build a historical record.
  • Modify some parameters remotely, such as the set point, without physical intervention on the unit
  • Receive and manage alarm reports to simplify diagnosis, maintenance, and long-term performance verification.

In addition to serial communication, XCB provides dedicated contacts for alarm signalling and for remote/door open management, which ensure basic monitoring even in the absence of a digital network.

Sequencing, redundancy and advanced functions for reliability

In critical applications, where cooling continuity is essential, simply installing two air conditioners in parallel is not enough: coordination is required. The XCB Sequencing function allows two Cosmotec air conditioners or heat exchangers to communicate with each other and manage redundancy on two levels:

  • Automatic Rotation: The two units automatically alternate operation, balancing running hours and thereby aligning maintenance schedules.
  • Automatic Failover: If one unit triggers an alarm or the temperature exceeds the preset threshold, the second unit automatically takes over and provides support without the need for manual intervention.

This allows for more effective management of redundant configurations, improving overall system reliability without dedicated controls or external logic. Less wiring, fewer components, fewer potential failure points.
Among XCB's functions for service continuity, it's important to mention the leak detection in the Control 8 version of Watherm exchangers. This function increases safety and protects the control panel from anomalies due to condensation and accidental leaks from the hydraulic circuit.

Quick Start-Up: less time on site, less margin for error

The Quick Start-Up function performs an automatic start-up check that verifies the correct operation of the components before final commissioning. This function complements other practical features designed to reduce installation time, minimize the risk of errors, and simplify operations in workshops and on-site applications:

  • A single cut-out for all Compact Protherm models, useful for standardising installation
  • Quick connections for power and signals, even on UL Listed versions
  • Two-insert fixing for easier positioning and locking of air conditioners and heat exchangers
  • Drilling dimensions for Protherm units compatible with previous models, to replace existing units without modifications to the panel

Maximum performance, minimum consumption

High performance and energy efficiency are common features across all cosmotec solutions. These results are achieved through careful product development, from the design phase through to testing, as well as the use of high-quality components. The XCB controller also makes a significant contribution:

  • Its SEM/SEM2 functions limit the fan on the internal circuit when the thermal load to be dissipated is lower, reducing or eliminating energy consumption.
  • It has the ability to manage a remote probe to reduce the risk of hot spot formation in areas of the cabinet distant from the cooling unit
  • Precisely regulate the temperature by acting on the Watherm exchanger valve and controlling the optional heaters on the air conditioners.
  • It reduces the speed of the air conditioner condenser fan when operating conditions allow and maximum quietness is required.

With XCB, Cosmotec brings a more advanced vision to thermal management, where technology, reliability and design quality converge into a solution designed to deliver superior value over time.

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