Rittal RiTherm Manual

1.0 Overview: RiTherm

RiTherm is the free software tool for needs-based, reliable and energy-efficient enclosure climate control planning. It comes with standards-compliant documentation and proof of the associated carbon footprint. Users can work on climate control projects together with their team.

The software allows planning the correct climate control system for enclosures, regardless of whether it is an indoor or outdoor application, an enclosure set, a single enclosure, or even a non-Rittal enclosure.

The integrated energy-efficiency calculator highlights energy-efficient devices, provides information about the CO2 footprint from delivery to operation, and offers details on F-gases and the GWP of the cooling device. Following the calculation, it suggests the best solutions for climate control systems.

Users can also download the standards-compliant heat dissipation certificate, all necessary product information, and a summary of their climate control plan in different languages after completing the calculation.

1.1 Platform and dialogues

RiTherm is an application within Eplan Cloud, which connects data, projects, disciplines, and engineers worldwide in an open, cloud-based environment.

Eplan Cloud extends the Eplan platform with tailored cloud services, ensuring that enterprises remain competitive and future-proof during digital transformation. The Eplan Cloud portfolio is continually developed and expanded.

When an action is performed in an Eplan Cloud product, its status is displayed through dialogues in the user interface:

• ⓘ The action will be performed
• A The action was carried out successfully.
• B The action could not be carried out successfully.

Additionally, certain actions can be tracked by clicking the [notification-symbol] in the header bar to open notifications.

2.0 Opening RiTherm

Users can open RiTherm via Eplan Cloud or the Rittal Homepage.

2.1 Opening via Eplan Cloud

Open your browser and log in to your Eplan Account via Eplan Cloud. Further information is available here. Select your desired organization. The cloud dashboard will open, displaying all Eplan applications. Click on RiTherm to be forwarded to its cloud interface.

2.2 Opening via Rittal Homepage

Open the official Rittal Homepage. Click on the software banner and then on climate calculation with RiTherm. After clicking the link “Calculate your climate control needs now”, you will be forwarded to the RiTherm cloud interface.

3.0 User interface

The user interface varies depending on whether the user is signed in or not. Signed-in users can create projects within their organization, import projects from RiTherm 6.7, and create calculations for outdoor enclosures.

Creating a user account and accessing additional features for RiTherm are free of charge!

3.1 Signed-in User

Users can switch between the Home Screen, Projects, and Settings on the navigation bar on the left. Information management, the Eplan Cloud Dashboard, and user settings are found in the header.

The working space allows creating new projects, using a fast lane for immediate calculation, or importing existing projects from Therm 6.7.

Fig. 1: User interface for logged-in user

• A Navigation bar with the Home Screen, Projects and Settings
• B Header
• C Working Space with Creating a new project, Fast Lane and Import from Therm 6.7
• D Online-Help

3.2 Unsigned User

Unsigned users start their climate calculation using the fast lane. Further information can be found in chapter “6.0 Climate control calculation”.

4.0 Settings

Users can switch certain physical units to the appropriate system under the menu point "Settings".

Fig. 2: Settings

• A Unit of length: Switch between millimeter and inch
• B Unit of temperature: Switch between Celsius and Fahrenheit
• C Units of Power: Switch between Watt and the British Thermal Unit (BTU)

Click on save to apply your settings.

5.0 Projects

Projects are visible to all members of the organization. Users can save important information in a project, duplicate climate control calculations, and rework them afterwards.

A detailed guide for creating organizations can be found on EPLAN Organizations.

5.1 Creating a Project

Users can add the following information while creating a project:

Fig. 3: Creating a new project

• A Project name
• B Description
• C Project number
• D Project manager
• E Year of manufacture
• F Manufacturer
• G Company
• H Creator: Name
• I Customer: Name
• J End customer: Name
• K Installation location
• L Contact person
• M Contact information

5.2 Project navigation

After creating a project and navigating to the project overview, users can view and modify all project details. Additional tools and actions are available.

Fig. 4: Project overview

• A Project overview
• B Project data
• C Create a new project
• D Operation area for projects with Add calculation, Edit project, Duplicate project, and Edit project
• E Overview of all created climate control calculations
• F Detailed information about the selected climate control calculation
• G Operating Area for climate control calculations with Copy calculation, Delete calculation, and opening calculation

Important Note: If you delete a project or a calculation, all data will be irrevocably lost!

6.0 Climate Control Calculation

This is the landing page for unsigned users. Unsigned users can perform the indoor calculation; the outdoor calculation is greyed out and unavailable. Signed-in users can choose between indoor and outdoor calculations.

Fig. 5: Start screen climate control calculation

• A Overview of all steps for the climate control calculation
• B Back to home. Unsaved changes will be lost!

Fun fact: Signed-in users can also click on the RiTherm icon on the top-left side to go back to home.

6.1 Calculation properties for indoor calculation

Users can fill out the necessary calculation properties and configure their enclosure set with associated specifications and power output.

All fields are required. Enter the target temperature inside the enclosure and the predicted ambient temperatures.

Fig. 6: Calculation properties indoor

• A Calculation Name
• B Altitude above sea level
• C Internal Temperature (5°C to 70°C or 41°F to 158°F)
• D Min. ambient temperature (-20°C bis 70°C or -4°F to 158°F)
• E Max. ambient temperature (-20°C bis 70°C or -4°F to 158°F)
• F Mains voltage
• G Mains frequency

Important Note: For installation altitudes above 2000 m or 6600 ft, please contact Rittal.

6.1.1 Calculation properties for outdoor calculation

Users can fill out the necessary calculation properties and configure their enclosure set with associated specifications and power output.

All fields are required. Enter the target temperature inside the enclosure and the predicted ambient temperatures.

Fig. 7: Calculation properties outdoor

• A Calculation name
• B Average wind speed (m/s)
• C Altitude above sea level
• D Min. ambient temperature (-40°C to 70°C or -40°F to 158°F)
• E Max. ambient temperature (-40°C to 70°C or -40°F to 158°F)
• F Hemisphere
• G Min. internal temperature (5°C bis 70°C or 41°F to 158°F)
• H Max. internal temperature (5°C bis 70°C or 41°F to 158°F)
• I Max. global radiation
• J Mains voltage
• K Mains frequency

Important Note: For installation altitudes above 2000 m or 6600 ft, please contact Rittal.

6.2 Create enclosure set(s)

Users can calculate the climate control for enclosure rows and set up different cooling zones. Rittal enclosures or third-party enclosures can be used. Up to 10 sets can be added by clicking the plus icon.

Users must specify if their enclosure is double-walled and the number of doors for third-party enclosures.

Fig. 8: Enclosure set configuration

• A Add new Set
• B Set number and Set name
• C Save or cancel creation of set
• D Add, duplicate or delete new enclosure, adding divider panels or allowing cooling device mounting on all surfaces
• E Add new enclosures, side walls and add or copy new enclosures
• F Enclosure name
• G Additional covering type
• H Enclosure model
• I Enclosure dimensions (automatically evaluated for Rittal enclosures, needs to be added for custom enclosures)
• J K-factor of enclosure material (needs to be added for custom enclosures)
• K Power dissipation (W) (more information in upcoming chapter)
• L Power dissipation buffer (%)

6.3 Physical and virtual climate zones

The power dissipation within an enclosure row is unevenly distributed among individual enclosures. RiTherm allows dividing enclosure rows into separate climate zones for optimizing the cooling solution.

To create virtual climate zones, virtual partitions must be added between enclosures.

Setting up virtual climate zones allows users to view the climate zone and its enclosures from a separate thermal perspective and configure a precise, individual cooling solution for enclosures with the largest thermal load.

To create truly separated or physical climate zones, physical partitions must be added between enclosures.

Setting up physical climate zones allows users to utilize diverse cooling solutions for individual climate zones and configure an individual cooling solution for each separate zone.

Fig. 9: Climate zones

• A Virtual climate zone
• B Physical climate zone
• C Virtual partition
• D Physical partition
• E Adding a physical partition
• F Adding a virtual partition

6.4 Calculate power dissipation

A pop-up window for calculation appears after clicking on the power dissipation text field. Power dissipation can be calculated based on the component list, temperature, or manually input information.

Another pop-up window appears for calculations based on temperature or component list, requiring more detailed input.

Fig. 10: Power dissipation calculation

• A Power dissipation calculated by temperature
• B Power dissipation calculated by component list
• C Manual specification of power dissipation with simultaneity factor
• D Apply or cancel the input

6.4.1 Calculate power dissipation by temperature

The calculation of power dissipation by temperature is executed and shown after saving the set.

Users measure and enter the internal and ambient temperatures.

Fig. 10: Power dissipation by temperature

• A Internal temperature (5°C to 150°C)
• B Ambient temperature (-20°C to 70°C)
• C Operation area with apply calculation, change calculation method, and cancel calculation

Important note: Changes in the reference enclosure model, K-factor, or dimensions impact subsequent baying enclosures. If the baying configuration is changed (e.g., by adding walls or changing the number of enclosures), all enclosures are updated. Therefore, power dissipation is not calculated and displayed until the set is saved.

6.4.2 Calculate power dissipation by component list

Power dissipation can be calculated using the included component catalog, which lists various components and their power dissipation. General components without a manufacturer can also be used.

Fig. 11: Power dissipation components

• A Search by component name directly
• B Search for components by manufacturer, component group, and exact name
• C Add simultaneity factor; power dissipation is calculated automatically
• D Number of enclosures and added components
• E Overview of added components and display of total power dissipation
• F Operation area

6.5 Calculation

Users can calculate if cooling is needed for their enclosure set after filling out all necessary parameters and specifications. The results will display whether cooling is needed, the temperature the enclosure will reach without a cooling solution, and the required cooling capacity.

7.0 Device Overview

After the climate calculation, users are guided to the cooling device selection. The three best-suited cooling devices for the application are displayed under "Recommendations." Users can use “Switch to all available devices” to display a list of suitable cooling devices.

Abb. 12: Recommendations cooling devices

• A Selected set
• B Information about the selected cooling device
• C Show all available and applicable cooling devices
• D Display of the three best cooling devices
• E Cooling device tags
• F Cooling device preview and linked product page
• G Interactive characteristics
• H Climate profile with carbon footprint and more

7.1 Accessories

After choosing the cooling device, users can select applicable accessories for their set, including components like circuit breakers and filter mats.

7.2 Summary

The summary displays the entire calculation, including general information, the created set, and an order overview with selected accessories.

Users can save various documents locally as PDF files by clicking the "Save calculation in project" button. The calculated cooling solution can also be assigned to a project.

Fig. 13: Summary

• A Selection of language of the summary
• B Select summary
• C Select list of components (important for a faster delivery time)
• D Select IEC61439-Documentation
• E Download selected files

Good job, you have done it!

Disclaimer

Project data from the Eplan Platform and associated products (Eplan Electric P8, Eplan Fluid, Eplan Pro Panel, Eplan Preplanning) are saved in an "Eplan project." Each software version of the Eplan Platform and associated products has a version-specific format for saving Eplan projects. The Eplan project is the standard for further processing of project data within the Eplan Platform.

If there is no compelling reason to use an older Eplan Platform version's project format, Eplan generally recommends using the current Eplan Platform version and its project format. Saving an Eplan project in an older format may result in display and functionality differences for saved Eplan objects. Some objects and associated data may be displayed differently, distorted, or lost. Data that is lost or distorted when saving in an older format is not restored or corrected when reading the project into a more recent Eplan Platform version. Eplan assumes no liability for Eplan projects saved in different Eplan Platform versions being identical in content to the original project.

Contact Information

Users can find contact details for all Rittal companies worldwide at www.rittal.com/contact.