When you walk into an airport, commercial complex, or office building, you see bright lights, constant temperature comfort, and systems running smoothly. But what you don't see is the “24/7 brain” operating behind these large structures—the PLC control cabinet / DDC control cabinet.

In an era where automation is becoming increasingly competitive, why are these industries upgrading their control cabinets? And how do control cabinets secure their place in this fierce competition? Today, we break it down.

I. Why Can't They Do Without Control Cabinets? Starting with Industry Pain Points

Airports: Most Systems, Most Complex Interactions

HVAC, plumbing, flight information displays, baggage systems, power distribution, security monitoring...

A single international terminal often houses 50+ subsystems. Year-round operations, peak passenger flows, and emergency dispatches all demand millisecond-level responsiveness. — Without reliable control cabinets, it's like operating without a brain.

Thus, airport projects universally opt for higher-stability models, such as:

EcoStruxure series DDC, e.g., SXWRCF12B10002 for air handling units and fresh air units

Complexes: High energy-saving pressure, extended equipment usage

Large shopping malls typically operate long hours with heavy foot traffic and complex scenarios (cinemas, restaurants, offices, hotels under one roof).

Operating costs “only increase, never decrease”—making intelligence and automation standard features rather than optional extras.

Thus, complex control cabinets commonly use:

DDC control cabinets (e.g., SXWRC12B10001RP) integrated with building automation platforms (EBO, BACnet/IP)

In this scenario, a control cabinet's competitiveness isn't about price, but its ability to ensure seamless coordination between different systems.

Office Buildings: Experience Directly Impacts Rent and Brand Reputation

Unstable temperatures, overly dim or bright lighting, poor air quality, frequent equipment alarms...

Just one poor tenant experience can tarnish a building's reputation. — Control cabinets = the foundation of stable experiences.

Common in office buildings:

Modules like TC600 series thermostats (TC600-4TMSA-WH4) paired with curtain/shade control actuators such as MTN649704

Though not large PLCs, these determine the environmental experience in every office.

In a nutshell:

These scenarios all require a “smart hub” that coordinates the entire system, executes precise controls, and operates year-round without interruption. That hub is the control cabinet.

II. What exactly does the control cabinet do? Why is it the “brain”?

In building automation, the PLC/DDC control cabinet serves as the central node connecting all systems:

· Collects field sensor data (temperature, humidity, pressure, liquid level, CO₂, damper position)

· Execute intelligent logic (coordinate HVAC, lighting, plumbing, and electricity meters)

· Support remote scheduling, timed controls, and energy consumption analysis

· Automatically alarm, log, and track faults

· Ensure stable system operation and prevent shutdown incidents

Airports demand “millisecond-level response,” complexes require “energy-saving optimization,” and office buildings need “comfort and reliability” —

All of this relies on a professional control cabinet architecture.

III. Why Must It Be a Professional Control Cabinet? Can't We Just Install a PLC?

Absolutely not.

The value of a professional control cabinet lies in its nature as not merely a “single device,” but an entire system engineering solution designed for long-term, reliable operation.

· Stability is fundamental

Airport/complex equipment operates 8,760 hours annually—even one minute of downtime constitutes an incident.

This demands industrial-grade PLC/DDC, industrial power supplies, standardized wiring, and redundant design.

· Strong Scalability

Airport expansions, tenant changes in complexes, office building M&E upgrades...

Control cabinets must scale continuously, not be rebuilt.

· Multi-Protocol & Multi-System Compatibility

BACnet, Modbus, KNX, LON, IP networks...

Control cabinets must connect seamlessly, and multiple systems must “communicate” effectively.

· Easy Maintenance

Rapid fault localization, modular replacement, remote operation and maintenance.

When issues arise, troubleshooting must be efficient—no endless disassembly without finding the cause.

IV. Tailored Control Cabinet Strategies for Different Scenarios

Airports: Stability > Speed > Safety Priority

· Multi-redundancy design

· Extensive PLC control

· Complex system interlocking

· High-reliability modules (e.g., M580)

Complexes: Energy Efficiency > Comfort > Smart Operations

· Central cooling station interlock control

· Fresh air + CO₂ dynamic adjustment

· Intelligent lighting scheduling

· Frequent use of DDC control cabinets (AS-P / AS-B)

Office Buildings: Comfort Experience > Stable Operations

· Complex temperature control, lighting, and conference room logic

· Strong demand for remote maintenance

· Medium-scale modules

· Common PLC + DDC combined applications

Conclusion:

Control cabinets may seem unremarkable, yet they form the foundational force behind stable building operations.

Whether it's energy efficiency, system integration, or daily operational effectiveness, they provide the silent backbone of these functions.

The future competition in smart buildings won't be about aesthetics, but about whether systems are more stable and intelligent.

PLC/DDC control cabinets are the foundational core of this entire endeavor.

If you're currently working on a project, upgrading equipment, or need control cabinet models and solutions, feel free to reach out anytime.

Making buildings smarter is what we're continuously dedicated to.

If you have any other selection questions,please feel free to contact us!