The Cost of Power Protection
All the electronics in an organization, from desktop to data center, require continuous, clean power. Anything less puts the business at risk for data corruption, equipment damage and downtime. For virtually all organizations, this requirement is met by having one or more UPSs, whether that’s a central UPS that serves an entire building or data center, distributed UPSs placed closer to the equipment being protected, or both. If UPS technology in the organization is even five years old, it’s costing more than it should. If it’s 10 years old, the company could be leaving tens of thousands of dollars on the table.

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Elma Releases Modular Table-Top Rack Cabinets
Elma Electronic, Inc. is now offering a new line of desktop cabinets in 3U-15 heights. The Type 38 desktop cabinet line is designed to IEC 60297 dimensions. With an extrusion-based modular aluminum frame, the case can be configured to an engineer’s exact specifications. Optional angle brackets and shelves can be mounted at 1U height increments to provide additional support. They are rated to support loads of 60 lbs per rail pair. The top and bottom covers are folded-over on the edges, providing an aesthetic rounded appearance while improving EMC.    

Depths for the enclosures are 320 mm, 420 mm, 520 mm, and 620 mm standard. The panels of the case are hot-galvanized power coated steel. The desktop cabinets also feature optional ergonomic carry handles that are recessed in the enclosure side panels so that they do not protrude. Other options include feet, mounting kits, perforated panels and more. 

AccuSense F600 Board Level Air Velocity Sensor Protects Electronics from Overheating
Degree Controls, Inc. has released the F600 board level air velocity sensor for continuous monitoring of airflow in small locations. The F600 airflow sensor has a small form factor of 0.5 inches by 0.25 inches and X 1.0 inches long with a 0.1 inch pitch design. Electronics manufacturers now have a cost-effective way of anticipating thermal rise before it occurs by directly monitoring airflow at critical board locations.

Costly electronic components are protected by the F600 by using the output to sound an alarm or to reduce system power if there is a loss of air velocity. Communication to the F600 is done via an I2C or UART interface.  User configurable outputs include PWM, tach or alarm open drain output.

With an air velocity range of 0.5 to 5.0 m/s (100 to 1,000 fpm) and an operating temperature range of 10°C to 60°C, the F600 accepts a power supply of 12 VDC and has a ±45° airflow acceptance angle.  A temperature output is also included. With internal factory calibration, the F600 sensors are fully interchangeable with one another. No field calibration is required.

ASI Now Offers UL1077 Circuit Breakers with D Trip Curve
Automation Systems Interconnect, Inc. has added UL1077 circuit breakers in D Trip Curve configurations to its line of DIN rail mounted miniature circuit breakers. The product line includes standard UL 1077 supplemental protectors with ratings ranging from 1 amp to 63 amps, high current versions for protection up to 125 amps and DC rated styles in one and two pole. 

The NDB2 series can be ordered in one, two or three pole, all with a 10 kA interrupt capacity. In addition to being 300 percent tested at the factory, the NDB2 UL 1077 circuit breakers feature a visual color-coded trip indicator, shock proof screw clamp connections and are RoHs compliant. The 18 mm footprint makes them a drop-in replacement for most industry standard circuit breakers. A wide range of accessoriescan also be order with the circuit breakers.

Laird Technologies Releases New Tflex SF600 DF Silicone-Free Thermal Gap Filler
Laird Technologies, Inc. has released its new Tflex SF600 DF silicone-free thermal gap filler. The Tflex SF600 DF is the most recent addition to Laird Technologies’ Tflex thermal gap filler line. The pad offers a compliant, silicone-free elastomer gap filler specifically designed to provide moderate thermal performance with a thermal conductivity of 2.8 W/mK to 3.0 W/mK.

Available in thicknesses from 0.010 inch (0.25 mm) through 0.060 inch (1.5 mm) in 0.010 inch increments, this soft interface pad conforms with minimal pressure, resulting in minimal thermal resistance even at low pressure with little or no stress on mating parts. It also includes differential tack on one side and is dry to the touch on the other side, making for easy assembly.

The Tflex SF600 DF passes cleanliness testing requirements and is rated for International Disk Drive Equipment and Manufacturing Association (IDEMA) M11-99, M7-98, M12-99, and M13-99 standards. The gap filler pad is RoHS compliant and is certified to UL 94V0 flammability rating.

UAF Metal Mesh Filters and Screens are an Alternative Option for Multple Applications
Universal Air Filter Metal Mesh Filters and Screens offer design engineers an alternative filter media for harsh indoor or outdoor applications. Custom metal mesh air filters and screens not only keep dust and bugs out of equipment and critical cooling systems, but they also can be used for EMI shielding and high heat applications. Designed for industrial applications including outside plant air-intake systems, metal mesh filters are a cost-effective alternative to honeycomb for EMI-shielding purposes. 

Custom metal mesh air filters and screens are all metal and available in a wide variety of expanded and woven screen configurations. Options include expanded aluminum mesh in various thicknesses and woven aluminum or stainless steel screens in a range of sizes. Metal mesh air filters are available in all filter frame configurations from roll-formed channels to stamped sheet metal housings. Therefore, they can be configured to maximize surface area to reduce pressure drop and promote increased service life.

An open mesh screen allows maximum airflow while preventing ingress of unwanted contaminants. The frames can include high-bond adhesive tapes, holes, self-clinching fasteners or spring clips to allow for easy installation. Slim frames and high open-percentage screens provide the design engineer with the best combination of dust capturing capacity and low resistance to airflow.

PennEngineering Acquires QRP, Inc.
PennEngineering has acquired QRP, Inc., which specializes in the manufacture of quick release pins, lanyards, latches and access fastener products.  Terms of the transaction between the two privately held companies were undisclosed.

“This strategic acquisition expands our fastening product portfolio and we expect significant growth opportunities for both of our companies,” said Mark Petty, president and CEO, PennEngineering “QRP’s wide range of quick release pin products and related specialty fasteners will provide us with new capabilities and expertise to extend our offerings in key customer markets.”

The current QRP management team remains in place and that QRP will continue to operate its business from the company’s current locations in North Carolina. This latest acquisition follows the recent acquisition of 3V Fasteners, Inc. and the introduction of AS9100 quality systems in key PennEngineering plants.

Stahlin Non-Metallic Enclosures now Holds UL 1741 Certification
Stahlin Non-Metallic Enclosures has been granted UL1741 certification. The UL1741 standard, entitled Distributed Generation Power Systems Accessory Equipment, is an Underwriters Laboratory (UL) standard essential to product safety and reliability issues within the distributed generation market.

Stahlin enclosures were evaluated under the UL1741 standard for inverter, converter, controllers and interconnection systems equipment for "Use With Distributed Energy Resources" within the US. Stahlin enclosures were also evaluated under the CSA-C22.2 No. 107.1 "Standard for General Use Power Supplies," for use in Canada.

UL File number E333478 denotes Stahlin enclosures as a photovoltaic combiner box component and recognizes the required achievements obtained under prior UL 746C, Polymeric Materials "Use in Electrical Equipment Evaluations" for outstanding UL94-5V flammability rating. UL94-5V is a standard that not all current enclosure manufacturers have attained, especially in tandem with NEMA 6 or 6P type ratings established under UL-50, Enclosures for Electrical Equipment.

Westinghouse Installs Electromagnetic Compatibility Testing Chamber
Westinghouse Electric Company has completed the installation of its semi-anechoic electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) chamber to support the company's Equipment Qualification group at its New Stanton, Pa., facility.

The addition of the semi-anechoic chamber will provide EMC test capabilities to ensure that instrumentation and control, electronic and electrical equipment meets required safety and electromagnetic compatibility compliance requirements for nuclear facilities.

"The addition of this new EMC laboratory enhances our equipment qualification test facility in New Stanton to meet the ongoing needs of our customers," said David Howell, senior vice president of Westinghouse Nuclear Automation.  "Having this test capability onsite will allow our equipment qualification engineers to work closely with our designers to ensure that products are designed from the beginning to be compliant with the latest industry standards."

As a result of this addition, Westinghouse will have the capability to perform electromagnetic fields and conducted emissions, and electromagnetic fields and conducted susceptibility tests at the New Stanton facility.

Central and Eastern European Electronics Industry Expands
According to a Technology Forecasters Inc. (TFI) report, the size of electronics production in the Central and Eastern European region is approximately $85 billion and growing rapidly to $100 billion as contract manufacturers and component companies expand their presence there. Hungary is the largest electronics producer in the region ($28.1 billion), being home to 8,100 electronics companies.

Though the size of this region's electronic manufacturing sector is not on the same scale as that in Asia (especially China), close to half of the study's respondents consider Central and Eastern Europe to be a more desirable manufacturing location than Asia for products heading to European customers (less than 25 percent  prefer Asia, and 30 percent were uncertain).

"The Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) region plays an undeniably important role for the electronics markets in Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA)," says TFI president Pamela Gordon.  "Our study elicited multifaceted views about advantages and disadvantages of manufacturing in China versus CEE for EMEA customers, the relative merits of one CEE country over another,  how environmental and worker responsibility can tip the scale toward manufacturing, servicing and recycling in CEE for EMEA markets and whether the CEE region will have enough design and supply-chain activity to become a major global R&D center.  But given that most of the world's large electronics companies, and many smaller ones, are growing their operations in the CEE region, we are confident that the strategic role of the region will only increase."

November/December 2010 Issue Highlights

• The Cost of Power Protection
  
• Building Innovation in Custom Enclosures
• Cost Savings Starts in Design Phase
• ePDU Core Power Series Addresses Critical Power Distribution Needs of Enterprise Data Centers
• New Products and Services
  
  Download this Issue Here!

January 2011

16-20, 2011 BICSI Winter Conference & Exhibition, Orlando, Fla. Contact www.bicsi.org

24-27, Tactical Power Sources Summit, Arlington, Va. Contact www.tacticalpowersourcessummit.com

25-26, Solar Power Generation USA, Las Vegas, Nev. Contact www2.greenpowerconferences.co.uk

31- Feb. 3, DesignCon 2011, Santa Clara, Calif. Contact www.designcon.techinsightsevents.com

February 2011

7-10, Components for Military and Space Electronics Conference and Expo, Los Angeles, Calif. Contact www.cti-us.com

22-24, Electric West 2011, Long Beach, Calif. Contact www.electricshow.com

APEC 2011
March 6-11, 2011
Fort Worth, Texas

As The Premier Event in Applied Power Electronics™, APEC focuses on the practical and applied aspects of the power electronics business. This is not just a designer's conference, APEC has something of interest for anyone involved in power electronics:

• Equipment OEMs that use power supplies and dc-dc converters in their equipment
• Designers of power supplies, dc-dc converters, motor drives, uninterruptable power supplies, inverters and any other power electronic circuits, equipments and systems
• Manufacturers and suppliers of components and assemblies used in power electronics
• Manufacturing, quality and test engineers involved with power electronics equipment
• Marketing, sales and anyone involved in the business of power electronics
• Compliance engineers testing and qualifying power electronics equipment or equipment that uses power electronics.