Perfect Climate in the Warehouse

The AirSTREAM system has become indispensable in industrial control cabinets. It is also playing an increasingly important role in building automation, particularly with its channel-free wiring frame. A Swiss engineering firm has been a pioneer in this field, relying entirely on LÜTZE's solution for years. Most recently, it was used in the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems of a large Manor shopping centre in Switzerland.

At Asenta AG, the focus is on efficiently and intelligently managing buildings, optimizing energy consumption, and enhancing comfort. A key area is heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC). At its Niederteufen site, 15 brilliant minds develop customized solutions in measurement, control, and regulation technology for renowned projects. Uncommon for an engineering firm, Asenta even builds its own control cabinets in-house.

Asenta’s portfolio ranges from single-family homes to hospital construction, from Zurich’s Messeturm to shopping centers of Switzerland’s largest department store chain Swiss Department store chain Manor. The company has already modernized building automation in several Manor stores. The latest project in Rapperswil involved completely renewing the HVAC control system. 

The previous, outdated system occupied two massive control cabinets with standard mounting panels. “A traditional control setup filled with channels, contactors, and fuses,” explains Roland Rusch, Project Manager at Asenta. “Now, thanks to LÜTZE's wiring frame, everything is much more compact: we were actually able to merge two control cabinets to just one using AirSTREAM – that’s a 100% space-saving.”

On average, the space-saving benefit of the channel-free AirSTREAM system compared to traditional mounting panels is around 30%. In the current Manor control cabinet in Rapperswil, the efficiency gain is even greater, thanks to a complete redesign using modern, significantly smaller components. “Like many other customers, Manor trusts our long-standing experience with the LÜTZE system – and everyone is always thrilled with the results,” says Rusch. 

For years, Asenta has almost exclusively relied on this solution for its control cabinets, with great success. The company produces 40 to 50 control cabinets annually, making the benefits of AirSTREAM evident many times over. “The custom-built frame arrives pre-assembled from LÜTZE in Siebnen, Switzerland. Mechanically, we hardly need to do anything – just screw it into the control cabinet. No need to cut cable ducts, drill holes, or perform other manual tasks. This is a huge advantage, allowing us to immediately install and wire everything. Our internal processes are optimized, material and storage costs are reduced, and we can serve and supply our customers faster. Having in-house control cabinet production also reduces interfaces and potential errors. We always have full control over execution quality and deadlines,” explains Roland Rusch.

The LÜTZE solution is ideal for traditional HVAC control systems, where cable cross-sections tend to be smaller. Its neat and structured cable routing maximizes space within the cabinet. Components can be flexibly reconfigured or retrofitted if needed, making rewiring easy. Many customers, upon first seeing such a control cabinet layout, immediately say: “Looks very tidy – great solution.” According to Rusch, “Many in the industry love using this system.”

The new HVAC control system significantly enhances the comfort of Manor’s customers. And inside the control cabinet, AirSTREAM ensures a well-balanced climate. While some components generate high heat emissions, the absence of cable ducts eliminates air barriers. Air can flow freely around the components, distributing heat evenly and maintaining a cool overall temperature. This reduces hot spots, extends component lifespan, and cuts cooling energy consumption by up to 23%. These effects can be further amplified with the compact AirBLOWER recirculation fan.
 

Beyond the major advantages of AirSTREAM, Asenta also appreciates its accessories. While not as extensive as Manor’s department stores with hundreds of thousands of products, jokes Roman Rusch, “there’s a great selection of combs, wire holders, EMC components, cover caps, and more.” Even small details like edge protection during processing are welcome additions.

LÜTZE continuously develops its Cabinet product segment, introducing innovations like AirSTREAM Compact for small, shallow control cabinets. Another example is the AirBLOWER and AirBLADES, which direct airflow precisely to hot spots, further reducing cooling energy consumption and CO2 emissions – contributing to greater sustainability. This aligns with LÜTZE’s SkyBLUE initiative for energy and resource efficiency.
 

"We offer our customers a perfect shopping experience while placing great emphasis on environmental responsibility. The energy-efficient operation of our department stores is crucial in reducing Manor’s CO₂ emissions. Thanks to Tetrag’s extensive expertise in operational optimization and energy management, we are achieving our goal. We are extremely satisfied and know we have the right partner by our side.”
Edi Auchli, Director Facility Management, Manor

Author: Enzo Amendola, Key Account Manager, Lütze AG, Switzerland
Image: Manor Warehouse (Manor)