In 1937, an ice cube for a cold drink was a rarity and a real treat to enjoy. Today, the luxury of an ice cube is commonplace, thanks to the refining of refrigeration temperature and pressure control over the last 80 years. The Danfoss RT switch has always been part of this accelerated development and, this year, the durable, all-purpose switch celebrates its 80th birthday as a favorite in many industrial, marine, and refrigeration applications.
"It is amazing how an ingenious invention, contained in such a simple design, can have such a long-standing impact on industrial development. Back in 1937, when the founder of Danfoss designed and produced the first RT switch, it was to support the tentative beginnings of the automatic control of heating and cooling systems. He had no idea that his invention would still be flourishing in the 21st century. Looking ahead, it seems there will still be a market for the RT switches despite the continued emergence of new technologies," says product manager Krzysztof Lech.
From day one, Danfoss RT has served a wide range of applications as a fail-safe solution, providing longer service life than any other standard control. The sturdy switch is available in nearly 100 variants, controlling temperatures that range from -60°C to 300°C and pressures from -1 to 30 bar.
With today's automated solutions, reliable measurement of pressure and temperature is vital to protect people and equipment. The RT switch has an unrivalled track record of being the most accurate, robust, and durable component, performing flawlessly day-to-day, even under the harshest conditions.
The RT switch is used in numerous applications, ranging from light to heavy industry, including mobile and stationary engines. The sealed construction of the RT switch makes it well-suited to withstand moist and dusty environments, and special RT variants are designed to withstand shocks and vibrations. The RT-E ATEX variant can even be used in explosive zone 1 applications.
"The long history of the RT switch has allowed Danfoss to diversify the use of the switch and develop tailored variants for specific purposes and applications. Today, I think it is fair to say that the RT pressure and temperature controls are suitable for more applications than any other control," says product manager Krzysztof Lech.
