June 2008

Selecting Fuses to Match the Application

Fuses are vital to equipment protection and overall safety, but there are so many types of fuses and so many rules for applying them that choosing the right one for a particular application may seem a daunting task. The job of specifying a fuse type can be simplified by breaking down the selection process into seven steps: voltage rating, current rating, time current characteristic, interrupting rating, current limitation, physical size and indication capability. This article covers each of these. ...read more

Emcor Introduces W-Series Line of Wall Mount Enclosures 

Emcor has released its new W-series of wall-mount electronic equipment enclosures. The new enclosures are designed for use anywhere that space is an issue. These rugged 19-inch welded cabinets are designed with quality materials and construction.

Enclosures come completely assembled with lockable front door and rear wall mount section.  The entire enclosure can be rotated to allow the cabinet (center) section to open either to the left or right.  The front door can also be rotated for left or right hinged applications.

The cabinet section has openings on the top, bottom and both sides. The panels for these openings are interchangeable and are available in solid, vented or fan panel configurations. The hinged wall-mount section has cable access knockouts located on the top and bottom flange for fast, easy cable management.
These 19-inch enclosures are available in 24.5 and 32 inch cabinet section depths, with 12U and 18U openings. Enclosures are also available in nine contemporary paint colors.

The shelf manager is based on Pigeon Point 500 shelf management module (ShMM) and features a unique HPI-based software module, offering access to the shelf control and management interface. The shelf also features unique distribution of sensors, and comprehensive alarm I/O. Asis' proprietary Basic shelf manager is based on a PowerQuick processor and cost reduced ShMM. Lastly, Asis' fan control board automatically controls chassis temperature using dedicated temperature sensors located inside the chassis or controlled by the ATCA blade/switch using I2C bus.

With support for more than 300 watts per slot and compliance with the strict NEBS (GR63) cooling requirements, the Perform series six slot shelf surpasses the current solutions found in the market both in normal stage and in any failure condition. Featuring a fault-tolerant airflow design, two 38 mm fan trays with eight high performance fans each and patented air flow technology, the Perform six slot shelf push-pull cooling maximizes air flow to assure the highest-level of heat reduction. Asis’ advanced cooling scheme also enables customization of the air flow according to user’s specific needs, allowing extreme high power dissipation from selected slots. For applications requiring more than 300 watts per slot, the Perform series airflow can be easily customized to meet specific thermal requirements.

The AC/DC 6-Slot Perform series also features a 10 gbps backplane that exceeds the AdvancedTCA standard while ensuring signal integrity. These enhanced capabilities are based on practical experience and comprehensive signal integrity studies which led to the unique optimization of the backplane. In addition, the new shelf also incorporates three redundant and hot-swappable 1,500 watt power supplies. For DC applications, the shelf also features hot-swappable and redundant -48 VDC PEM.

3Gmetalworx Offers Numerous RF and EMI PCB-Level Shielding Products

3Gmetalworx is offering three product configurations for PCB-level shielding requirements. Included in these configurations are basic shielding cans, single cavity shield sets and multi cavity shield sets.

Basic PCB shielding cans provide low-cost solutions to many RF/EMI shielding requirements. Basic cans may incorporate engagement tabs, trace/component relief, tuning/access openings, thermal relief and can be built to nonstandard shapes as required. In cases where irregular shapes produce undesirable openings, inserts can be resistance welded into place. Corner seams can be resistance welded with the addition of internal flanges to increase performance. Typical cans, however, do not allow for the removal of the shield for rework, since they are usually soldered directly to the PCB.

In cases where a more significant degree of access is required, a single-cavity fence with a removable cover is recommended. Such fence and cover packages are designed to shield a single circuit area, with the fence soldered directly to the PCB, and a cover that can be removed and re-installed as required. Single-cavity sets usually incorporate many product features and can be built in a wide range of footprint sizes and package heights.

To scale down the physical size and cost of a product, multi-cavity shields are often utilized to bring together a number of single-cavity shields, which reduces the overall cost and footprint of the metalwork. Due to the complex nature of such designs and the related circuitry, multi-cavity designs have removable covers to allow access, and a wide cross-section of supporting features such as engagement tabs, trace/component relief, thermal relief, connectors, etc… It is possible to build multi-cavity fence sets assembled from dozens of discreet components and having a proportionate number of cavities, opening up a world of design possibilities.

New DC Fans Provide Performance and Low Cost for Multiple Applications 

In an effort to deliver high volume orders of in-demand DC fan models for industrial and computer equipment designers, Orion Fans has introduced its OD1238 series. These 120 by 38 mm fans are available in multiple configurations, including multifunction, high performance, waterproof and the economical Challenger version.

The OD1238 series fans are suitable for a wide range of applications, including industrial controls, servers, telecommunications, networking equipment, computer equipment, motor drives and cabinets, electronic enclosures and panels.

Optional features available on most models include tachometer outputs, thermal speed control, PWM input, constant speed control with variable input voltage, and rotation detection alarm. Orion's OD1238 series DC fans are available in voltage ratings of 12, 24 and 48 VDC. This series can provide a wide spectrum of air flow from 60 to 220 CFM. Orion fans are UL/cUL, TUV and CE approved.

In addition to the standard OD1238 series, Orion offers 120 by 38 mm fans in nine high performance versions for increased airflow, waterproof versions for damp or humid environments and an economical version for high volume applications. Orion can provide additional customization or value added services depending on customer requirements.

Rittal’s Air/Water Heat Exchangers Provide Cooling in Harsh Environments

Rittal Corp. has released a line of air/water heat exchangers, the latest addition to Rittal’s family of climate control products. This cooling technology is designed for use in a broad range of manufacturing applications, including those where harsh, aggressive environments such as hot steel or metal dust could damage control system electronics. Newly redesigned, these heat exchangers are virtually maintenance-free when integrated with a central chiller system or chilled water supply. There are no filters to change, condenser coils to clean or refrigerant to check or refill.

Available in both wall-mounted and roof-mounted models, Rittal’s air/water heat exchangers provide added efficiency at ambient temperatures from 1°C to 70°C. A closed system that circulates only clean air internally to the cabinet, this cooling technology is compliant with enclosure NEMA 12 rating, ensuring protection against dust and direct streams of water. These heat exchangers provide a wide cooling output range of 300 to 5,000 W for every application need. The wall-mounted version is up to 30 percent slimmer than previous models, reducing space requirements significantly while still providing optimum performance in extreme conditions.

The air/water heat exchangers are available with either the standard Basic Controller or an optional Comfort Controller. The basic unit controls and monitors functions such as temperature control, leak detection and fault signal contact. The comfort controller also offers temperature display on the unit, a master-slave function, remote diagnosis and two fault signal contacts.

Eaton Adds to Scalable Pulsar MX Frame Family for Protecting Dense Computing Environments

Eaton Corp. has introduced its new 10 kVA Pulsar MX Frame. Sold under the MGE Office Protection Systems brand, Eaton's Pulsar MX Frame is now available in a 10U configuration. Accommodating Eaton's Pulsar MX 5000 RT hot-swappable power and battery modules, the Pulsar MX Frame gives users a low-entry cost to scalable power in one easy-to-populate modular system.

As with Eaton's larger 20 kVA 16U (28-inch) frame, the same power and battery sub-modules can be used for both the stand-alone Pulsar MX RT 5 kVA uninterruptible power supply (UPS) and the modular chassis, which significantly reduces the entry cost to scalability. Through this approach, users can decide to acquire a cost-competitive Pulsar MX 5000 RT and migrate to a fully scalable, redundant solution using the Pulsar MX Frame while still using the original power and battery sub-modules of the original 5 kVA stand-alone UPS.

When the Pulsar MX on-line double-conversion power modules are connected in parallel within the new Pulsar MX Frame, the power can be readily scaled from 5 kVA to 10 kVA, without disrupting connected equipment, all within the Pulsar MX's compact 10U frame. With up to 9 kW or 4.5 kW with N+1 redundancy, this scalable solution is designed for a rack populated with blade servers.
Using only 3U for the combination of power and battery sub-modules, the 5 kVA compact rack mount/tower UPS units feature hot-swappable battery and power sub-modules, auto battery-test, switched outlets and a multilingual LCD display.

Pulsar MX Frame boasts two communication slots for versatile, redundant network integration. Eaton's power management software provides coverage for most environments found in high-density computing environments like Linux, VMware and Microsoft Virtual Server.  Eaton's power management software also incorporates seamless integration with the IBM BladeCenter as well as the ability to dynamically manage redundancy at the protected server level.

New Concealed Hinges for Large Enclosures 

EMKA has released a heavy duty hinge that is designed for doors with a 25 mm return flange.  It is quick and easy to install either by welding, mechanically attachment or both. The hinge pin slides for easy door removal, but remains attached to the enclosure by means of an acetal circlip.

In the mild steel version, the door part is phosphatized, giving good corrosion protection and providing an excellent surface for powder coating and is suitable for welding. For outdoor applications in corrosive environments, NEMA 4X or GR 487 boxes, a stainless version is available.

EMKA’s full smart hardware line of enclosure hardware is designed to make assembly quick, easy and repeatable. The units include handles and latches (single and multi-point) master keying, lift-off, quick assembly and other types of hinges, as well as EMI gasketing. 

Global Market for Thermal Management Worth $11.1 Billion by 2013 

According to a new technical market research report, “The Market for Thermal Management Technologies” from BCC Research, the global market for thermal management was worth $6.1 billion in 2007. This is expected to increase to $6.8 billion in 2008 and $11.1 billion by the end of 2013, a compound annual growth rate of 10.3 percent.

Thermal management hardware, including fans, blowers and heat sinks, account for more than 80 percent of the total thermal management market. The other main thermal management product segments (software, interface materials and substrates) each account for between about 4 percent and 6 percent of the market.

The largest end markets for thermal management technologies in 2007 were the computer industry (57 percent of total revenues), telecommunications (16 percent) and industrial/military electronics (9 percent). By 2013, medical and office electronics should have moved into a tie for second place with telecommunications, each with a 12 percent market share, followed by consumer electronics (8 percent). 
The Americas, consisting of the US and Latin America, will maintain their number one position throughout the period under review, with a market share of just under 40 percent, followed by Asia-Pacific with around 23 percent to 24 percent. The Asia-Pacific countries (except Japan) are not only the second-largest market in absolute terms, but they also have the highest projected growth rate.

The development of the thermal management industry is one of the most interesting aspects of the rapid innovation in the high-tech industry. As pressure to achieve higher levels of device integration while reducing cost, size and complexity continues, the issue of managing heat and power dissipation has become increasingly significant.

Leader Tech Completes Expansion

Leader Tech celebrated the completion and grand opening of its Global EMI Shielding Technology Center with local dignitaries, employees, valued customers and special guests. The expansion project was prompted by a significant increase in both domestic and international demand for the company's EMI shielding products.

“Every detail of our new one-of-a-kind facility has been tailor-engineered to streamline and improve our customer service, engineering and manufacturing processes” said Dario Negrini, president, Leader Tech. “The new expansion encompasses all facets of the business including people, building size and equipment and has drastically increased our productivity and capacity across all three of our core product lines including, board, enclosure and cable shielding.”

In a time when companies are moving away from the EMI Shielding customer through offshore manufacturing and distribution channels, Leader Tech is staying committed to the US market by continuing to expand its industry experienced team, manufacturing technology and US based facility.  

“As a core value of our company, we believe that customers are better served when they talk directly to a live applications engineer instead of a machine”, said Tim Black, director of dales and marketing. “Personalized and responsive support coupled with innovative domestic manufacturing has been and will continue to be the hallmark of Leader Tech’s industry-best engineering and customer support departments.” 

Sola/Hevi-Duty Changes Name to SolaHD

Sola/Hevi-Duty has changed its name to SolaHD. Complete with a re-designed logo, the new identity signifies SolaHD's singular mission of providing a more comprehensive line of power quality solutions for industrial facilities worldwide through extensive research and new technologies. The name also better communicates the SolaHD promise to customers to improve efficiencies, preserve data and increase equipment longevity.

SolaHD products include surge protective devices, power conditioners, transformers and power supplies that compose and support power throughout branch distributions. In addition, it offers line reactors, power supplies and uninterruptible power supplies (UPS) control voltage to sensitive computer and production line equipment.

Parker Acquires Remaining Interest in Parker Seal De Mexico

Parker Hannifin Corp. has acquired the remaining stake in its joint venture, Parker Seal de Mexico. Parker held a 49 percent stake in the $8.3 million revenue company prior to acquiring the remaining interest from multiple joint venture partners. Terms of the acquisition were not disclosed.

“We were very fortunate to have an excellent partner in Mexico for 42 years. Now, as the sole owner of this operation, Parker can sell any of its thousands of seal products into the Mexican market," said Heinz Droxner, president of Parker's Seal Group. "This is part of our long term strategy to serve customers who have operations in Mexico, and positions Parker to meet all of their sealing requirements in-country."

Parker manufactures seals by various processes in a broad range of fluorocarbon, PTFE and metal materials for use in liquid, gas, automotive, food processing, medical and electromagnetic shielding applications.

National Technical Systems Completes Acquisition of Elliott Laboratories, Inc.

National Technical Systems, Inc. (NTS) has completed its acquisition of Elliott Laboratories, Inc., an electromagnetic compatibility (EMC), product safety and wireless regulatory testing laboratory with two full-service facilities. The addition of Elliott to the NTS organization creates one of the largest independent providers of EMC design, test and evaluation services in North America.

“Elliott Laboratories is a natural fit for NTS,” said William McGinnis, president and CEO, NTS. “This is a very strategic move for NTS as it allows us to service our customers locally and gives us access to a significant market.  We are now positioned to offer all of our additional services locally to the San Francisco, Calif. area.”

“We are very excited to be a part of the NTS family,” said Eddie Pavlu, president and CEO, Elliott Laboratories.  “With our state-of-the-art test facilities, our highly experienced compliance engineering staff and the resources that will be made available to us through this merger, we will truly be able to expand upon our commitment to provide the highest quality testing and engineering services to our clients.  As part of the NTS family we will also be able to offer a wide range of complementary engineering services which will save our clients the time, money and effort associated with distributing their compliance engineering requirements across several different companies.” 

Remote 2008 Conference and Expo Preliminary Brochure Released

The online preliminary brochure for the 2008 Remote Conference & Expo has been released. The two-day event will focus on the latest advancements for the monitoring and management of distributed equipment and facilities, remote assets, automated process & system controls and device networks.

The brochure highlights pre-conference workshops, technical speaking sessions, exhibitors and registration information.

Click here to download the preliminary brochure in PDF format