Since 1972
Protection Doesn't Cost ... It Pays ! . .. Ancient Abyssinian Proverb

  Environmental Factors
(what conditions exist for your equipment operation?)

Most equipment and system discussions revolve around electronic factors to be considered for well functioning equipment / systems.

Environmental conditions encountered in every day operation will be addressed and factors affecting your equipment operation and longevity will be highlighted in this FAQ.

All Electronic equipment - Industrial, Commercial or Consumer - are very sensitive devices and should be treated with Tender Loving Care. This is especially true within the system operating environment.

A few common sense precautions can extend equipment life, reduce down time, grief and maintenance costs.  As a bonus, equipment will deliver better results in day to day operation.

Vibration

Computer, network and server disk drives are delicate, precision machines.

Spacing between read/write heads and the spinning platter are extremely close.  Excessive vibration or bumps and jars may cause slight scraping of platter surfaces.  Vibration increases the risk of intermittent errors or even permanent platter damage. Expensive disk damage or permanent data loss may occur.

Sensors or scanners feeding data to equipment may be worked loose by the vibration, giving erratic performance or transmit erroneous process data.

Peripheral devices such as printers, digitizers, scanners or plotters may yield less that optimum performance if subjected to excessive vibration.

All computer chassis, raid arrays or other mechanical peripherals should be positioned on sturdy desks, tables or benches and be well isolated from vibration and accidental bumps

Careful mounting of all electronic assemblies to prevent vibration will prolong equipment life and enhance performance. Sensors and scanners should be regularly inspected to verify secure mounting.

In general, all electronic equipment will perform better and serve a longer, useful life if not subjected to excessive vibration.

Heating and Cooling

Excessive component and system heating or cooling will significantly shorten industrial electronic equipment life.

Before total failure, however, equipment usually goes through a period of erratic performance.  A great many errors will creep into the industrial process before failure occurs.

Electronic equipment should be placed well away from heating sources such as radiators or heat ducts to prevent undue heat stress. The cyclic nature of these heat sources will cause expansion and contraction, ultimately leading to trouble.

"Hot" system components such as UPS or Voltage Regulator units should be positioned to avoid excessive heat transfer to operating equipment.

Air conditioners are part of the "heat" problem faced by industrial electronic equipment.  

Place electronic equipment well away from cold air ducts.  Cold air cycling on / off directly onto sensitive equipment will cause considerable mechanical stress of connectors, printed boards and components, resulting in expensive damage.

Dust 

Many electronic system installations have rack or cabinet cooling fans and filters.

Filters should be inspected and cleaned on a scheduled basis.  Paper or fabric type filters should be replaced on schedule.

If filters seem dirty, it means that your scheduled cleaning or replacement should be performed more often.

Torn or damaged air filters should be replaced. 

Clogged filters are a clear indication that proper inspection procedures were not observed.  Equipment operating under such conditions may well be operating under a shortened life warrant.  In addition to replacing clogged filters, all interior surfaces should be thoroughly vacuumed and dusted.

Never operate electronic without recommended air filters. Without filters, a layer of dust will accumulate on components and surfaces. This dust layer will act as an insulating blanket, leading to excessive heat rise.

Internal dust will also adversely affect open mechanical devices, causing wear and deterioration.

Electrostatic room air filters are available which will remove even micron sized dust and smoke particles.  Valuable in normal environments, this type filter should seriously be considered in dusty or smoky industrial locations.

Moisture

Commercial and industrial electronics will function long and well under normal conditions, but it is always wise to consider if your operating environment is too dry or too moist.

Too dry .. and you may have static electricity problems. Paper may hang up in printers, copiers or recording instruments.

Static discharge between personnel and equipment or disks may give rise to erratic behavior or data loss.

Humidifiers and/or static discharge straps and mats may be desirable.

Too humid .. and you may have corrosion problems. Corroded connectors, ground straps or electrical contacts may create elusive, troublesome performance problems.

Floppies may not work properly.  Floppy labels may partially detach and jam the drive mechanism.

Paper may jam in printers, copiers or recording instruments.

Dehumidifiers may be required to reduce operating conditions to a reasonable value.

Often an air conditioner is installed to dehumidify and cool.  Be sure to observe cautions listed above under the Heating and Cooling section

Summary

Effects of moisture, dust, air cooling and heating systems on electronic equipment health were discussed in this tutorial segment.

Adherence to principles set forth will yield longer, trouble free operation.

Your happy electronic systems will reward you with a long, productive equipment life.

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STORM  WARNING !!

Surges, Spikes and Interference Damage  
play no Favorites ! !

Studies Show ...................

Winter Storms Cause More 
Wild Power, phone line outages, surges, spikes and interference
than Summer Storms

On the other hand, There are more Summer Storms

Winter Storm Spherics cause up to 50% as much damage as Summer Lightning Storms

On the other hand, WHY SUFFER ANY STORM DAMAGE ?

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Industrial Electronics - - - - - -  Friend or Foe ??
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