September 2007

An Alternative Approach to Mitigate the Catastrophic Impact of Arc Flash Explosions
Arc flash explosions are a major cause of death and injury among workers performing routine electrical equipment maintenance and/or inspections. It's estimated that five to 10 arc flash explosions occur every day in the United States, according to the research and consulting firm CapSchell. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the main cause of electrical worker electrocution from 1992 to 1999 was contact with "live" (energized) equipment and wiring. The hazard exists mostly because of a failure to de-energize and lock out or tag out electrical equipment and wiring.

Read more here: www.equipmentprotectionmagazine.com/images/hoffman-mar07.pdf

Optima Releases Industry's First Modular MicroTCA Cabinet Enclosure

Optima EPS has released a cabinet enclosure specifically designed for MicroTCA applications. The modular cabinet features a stacked arrangement of open card cages, fan trays and heat exchangers.   Without top or bottom covers, the open card cages allow air to flow through multiple stacks of MicroTCA shelves.  The fan trays and heat exchangers cool the cabinet in this modular configuration.  Various implementations of card cage shelves, fans, and cooling units can be configured in the cabinet.

The MicroTCA 19 inch cabinet is designed according to ETSI 300-119-3 with a 44U height, 750 mm width and 300 mm depth.  The unit accepts 10 MicroTCA single-width subracks, accepting 120 full size modules or 240 compact modules plus power modules dissipating a total of approximately 6 KW in a closed loop heat exchanger concept. MicroTCA shelves are strategically interleaved with heat exchangers and fan trays.
The heat exchangers require an external chiller unit. The typical shelf temperature rise is 15°C while the heat exchangers are able to provide a temperature drop of approximately 15C. This solution allows for high-density cabinet packaging and provides the following advantages: extreme low noise, EMI containment (at closed cabinet level) and maximum possible cable routing space/management.

Interested in Seismic Vibration Testing for Electronics Packaging Systems?
If so then you should attend Optima EPS’ Zero Downtime 2007 Conference Session:
Seismic vibration and MIL-STD vibration testing: Lessons Learned
For more information visit www.equipmentprotectionmagazine.com/zero07_program.htm

New Balance Enclosures From Air Science

Air Science USA has introduced a new line of Balance Enclosures designed for precision containment/operator protection when compounding and powder weighing. These units exceed OSHA, ANSI and all relevant international standards for Vented Enclosures designed to handle Potent Compounds with toxicity levels of Class 1, 2 and 3.

These Vented Enclosures incorporate the Air Science turbulent free design that provides a smooth transition of airflow into the enclosure. This design results in turbulent free airflow patterns. In addition to balances, these enclosures are also well suited for microscopes and robotic equipment. Additionally, these enclosures are constructed of PVC and Acrylic with Epoxy Resin work surfaces. Six models are available from 24 by 23 inches to 48 by 23 inches with a choice of 19.5 or 30 inches in height.

New Ferroxfoil Flexible Sheet EMI Absorber

Ferroxcude has released its new FerroxFoil, which is a flexible sheet filled with EMI absorbing material. It's effective against electromagnetic waves in a broad frequency spectrum and can be wrapped easily around any shape, which makes it applicable in a variety of applications. The absorptive material is a distributed magnetic material and is available in several grades.

The FerroxFoil comes in four different grades, the 5WI wide band model, the 5RI high resistivity/high insulation grade, the 5FI high frequency use/semi-microwave band and the RTI for RFID applications. The recommended frequency range for both the 5WI and 5RI is 100 MHz to 10 GHz, the 5FI is rated for 500 MHz to 30 GHz, while the 5TI recommended range is 13.56 MHz. For all grades, the sheets are available with different thicknesses, depending on the degree of attenuation required. 

Applications can be found where ever radiated EMI is present, whether its in the near field as in prevention of EMI radiation and protection against incoming EMI, or in the near field between components on a PCB, between PCB’s or around transmission lines.

XTech Launches AdvancedMC Mid-Size Carriers

Extrusion Technology (XTech) is now offering its AdvancedMC (AMC) mid-size carriers, in a range of configurations to fit numerous applications. The XTech AMC Carrier system is composed of an extruded aluminum faceplate with powder coated component covers and the proven ejector system designed into XTech’s AdvancedTCA product line. 

Stainless steel fasteners and hardware are used throughout the unit’s design. XTech’s AMC mid-size carriers are available with one, two, three or four bays and can be customized to meet specific requirements. Compliance with PICMG - AMC.0 R2.0 and RoHS standards is also assured.

“Responding to the industry’s need for a simpler, more reliable design, our one-piece extruded aluminum AMC mid-size carriers are delivered fully-assembled and ready to use,” said Rick Winter, XTech Director of Sales and Marketing. “With an integrated die-cast strut and card guide system, our carriers are more robust, and easier-to-use.”

Positronic Releases New Circular Connector

Positronic has introduced the King Cobra circular connector series that offers the performance of high reliability machined contacts. King Cobra housings are molded of lightweight, non-corrodible composite materials. A mated connector pair is secured using a unique “Twist-lock” mechanism.

King Cobra features include contact sizes 22, 20 and 16 for signal and power applications, environmental options that meet the requirements of IP65, right angle and straight PCB mount terminations, cable terminations and accessories.

Interested in Emerging Hardware and Connector Technology?
The don’t miss our January/February 2008 Issue!
Subscribe today: www.equipmentprotectionmagazine.com/ep_sub.php 

ATS and Digi-Key Partnership Provides Full Range of BGA Cooling Solutions

AdvancedThermal Solutions, Inc. (ATS) has partnered with Digi-Key, the global electronic components distributor, to offer over 380 heat sinks for cooling BGAs and other hot-running semiconductor devices. The heat sinks are available for immediate delivery when purchased through Digi-Key’s Web site and printed catalogs.  Design engineers can obtain individual ATS sinks for prototypes and testing, or larger volumes for production requirements.

“Now engineers can quickly access the largest range of BGA cooling solutions on the market,” said Dr. Kaveh Azar, president and CEO of ATS. “Each hot component problem presents unique challenges. Digi-Key makes it easy to find a heat sink that not only provides effective cooling, but also fits in the available space, attaches properly and most importantly is within the allowed budget.” 

Among the ATS cooling solutions offered through the Digi-Key catalogue are maxiFLOW flared fin, high-performance heat sinks, along with straight-fin and cross-cut extruded sinks. Other heat sinks are available for cooling Freescale MPC 8641D dual-core and LGA processors, a wide variety of ASICs and for linear LED lighting applications. Every heat sink is provided with performance and physical specification.

Digi-Key customers can also order the ATS maxiGRIP system for safe and secure heat sink attachment to flip chips, BGAs and other hot on the PCB components. The maxiGRIP system features a plastic frame clip that snaps securely around a component’s perimeter. A stainless steel spring clip runs though the heat sink’s fin field and fastens securely to the plastic frame. As a result, the sink is mounted securely to the component with steady, even pressure.

Attend ATS’ Zero Downtime 2007 Workshop, Electronics Cooling: Challenges and Solutions!
For more information visit: www.equipmentprotectionmagazine.com/zero07_workshops.htm#ats

AT&T chooses Saft to supply batteries for network support

Saft’s NCX Ni-Cd (nickel cadmium) batteries have been selected by AT&T, Inc. to provide battery back-up service for parts of its wire-line network. Saft has developed its NCX battery technology specifically for telecommunications networks that utilize a large number of remote network terminals in the digital fiber loop. These terminals are typically without environmental control and several hundred thousand are today installed in suburban and small community locations in many parts of the world.

 The NCX batteries are optimized for long life under extreme temperature conditions and will survive without maintenance for up to 10 years. The result is a reduction in the total cost of ownership for the lifetime of the equipment when compared with conventional batteries. The NCX range of batteries is naturally compatible with charging systems currently used in the telecom networks and has become the technology of choice for all operators looking for more durable and reliable back-up solutions.

Pentadyne Power Corp Announces $14M Venture Investment by Loudwater

Pentadyne Power Corp. has announced that Loudwater Investment Partners have led a $14 million capital round to finance further company growth and product development.

"We are on a terrific run as a business, with revenues, production and product development progressing to new heights every month,” said Pentadyne president & CEO Mark McGough. "We have just recapitalized the company with $14 million in new cash and signed up an excellent and experienced new investor in Loudwater. We are also looking forward to another great year ahead, hitting new records in 2008 with the goal of being the number one industrial flywheel manufacturer worldwide.”

Edward Forwood, Managing Director of Loudwater, said, "Pentadyne has developed the most efficient flywheel energy storage technology with immediate application in UPS and other markets. We are confident that this will soon result in market leadership.”

Attend Pentadyne Power Corp.’s Zero Downtime 2007 Presentation, 15 Minutes of Fame, or Infamy? Advances in Reliable Back-up Power Protection
For more information please visit: www.equipmentprotectionmagazine.com/zero07_program.htm#pen

SprayCool and Align Communications Partner to Boost Energy Efficiency Among Data Centers Worldwide

SprayCool has made a new partnership with Align Communications, Inc., an information technology (IT) solutions company. Through the recent agreement, Align Communications now can deploy SprayCool’s technology to help cool its client’s data centers as well as reduce their energy consumption. The partnership was a good match – Align Communications serves a host of financial companies, which are one of the fastest growing segments of the data center industry.

“We are thrilled to team up with Align Communications. The financial industry desperately needs solutions for cooling down data centers, as well as conserving valuable operational floor space,” said Matt Gerber, president and CEO of SprayCool. “The partnership between the two companies illustrates our commitment to reducing energy consumption among data centers worldwide.”

SprayCool’s technology uses a liquid, which is safe for electronics and people, to cool electronics and capture heat at the chip level before it reaches the air in the room. Using SprayCool’s solutions in a conventional data center can reduce total cooling power consumption by 40 percent or more a power savings that can add up to hundreds of thousands of dollars per year. Plus, valuable data center space can also be saved, since SprayCool’s system reduces the need for forced-air cooling systems.

Learn More about Thermal Management, Mitigation and Protection At Zero Downtime 2007!

With high density servers, data centers and mission critical equipment becoming the norm, most facility managers and engineers are now dealing with extreme levels of heat in their installations. Even OEM product designers must engineer their products to withstand added heat from the elevated power needs at their customer’s locations.

To help educate you on how to better navigate your thermal management needs, Zero Downtime 2007 has amassed a number of sessions and pre-conference workshops dedicated to this topic. Experts from around the industry will be on hand to lend their knowledge and skills, all in a relaxed and friendly environment.

For more information please visit: www.equipmentprotectionmagazine.com/zero07.htm