ESIS Newsletter - October 2011
In this issue:
- Lutron Power Analyser ON SPECIAL - This week only
- 5 Common Server Room Mistakes to Avoid
- DataTaker Clearance - Get in quick!
- The Most Advanced Mobile Command & Control Field Server
- Take 3 minutes to learn about Esis
- Core i5/i7 Industrial motherboards with ISA & PCI slots
- Temperature loggers - part 5: Other specifications
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Note: Prices shown are subject to change without notice.
If you have any questions, please email us, or phone us on 02 9481 7420.
Lutron Power Analyser ON SPECIAL - This week only
For this week only, Esis is offering a super special deal on our very popular Lutron DW-6092 Handheld 3-phase Power Analyser with Data Logging. This very capable unit is a must for electricians, engineers, building managers, energy auditors, etc. It satisfies the needs of most energy measurement applications at a very reasonable price.
This week the full kit is being offered for the first time at a special price of $1595+GST.
The DW-6092 measures, displays and records a whole host of parameters from 3-phase circuits, including voltage, current, real power, apparent power, reactive power, power factor, cumulative energy, etc. It can be used with 1 phase / 2 or 3 Wire configurations, and 3 phase / 3 or 4 wire configurations. It can also perform data logging of selected parameters to a 2GB SD card, at integration intervals ranging from 2 seconds to 2 hours. In addition, measured data can be output to a PC in real time via the optional USB cable and software.
For more details and full specifications of this instrument please check out the Lutron DW-6092 page.
The full kit includes the following:
- Power analyser
- 3 dual-range current clamps
- 4 high voltage leads with alligator clips
- 2GB SD memory card for data logging
- Mains adaptor
- Instruction manual
- Soft carry case
- Software CD and USB cable for real time viewing and recording via PC
- Esis' plain English extra instruction sheets.
This special offer is only available until Friday 28 October, and only whilst stocks last, so get in quick!
Please contact us to reserve your unit today.
5 Common Server Room Mistakes to Avoid
Sourcing a reliable environmental monitoring product (such as the interSeptor Pro pictured) will get you a long way towards implementing an effective data centre monitoring strategy, but we highlight below some of the common mistakes that you may still want to avoid to help ensure any problems don't turn into catastrophes.
1. Having too few sensors
This is one of the most difficult topics to advise on since every data centre and server room is different. However, always try to ensure that you don't miss out on being able to cost-effectively implement additional sensors as required. For instance, the cost to your organisation of a water leak in your server room could be immense, but a leak sensor can easily be added to an existing monitoring system without the need for lengthy device configuration or downtime. Similarly, depending on the size of the system, additional temperature and humidity sensors can usually be added extremely easily.
2. Not considering all the potential threats
Temperature monitoring is by far the most common application of data centre environmental monitoring. Most IT managers have either experienced the effects of an air conditioning failure in their server room or will be well aware of the disastrous consequences that a future one might cause. But other threats may be lurking in the background also such as a rack fire, security breach, water leak, over condensation, etc, etc. Whilst reviewing your future monitoring requirements, be sure to analyse all the areas that these threats might come from and accommodate these through your existing monitoring systems where possible.
3. Not having well-defined areas of responsibility
This is relatively simple to identify, but it's always possible that a grey area can exist between the responsibilities of the IT and Facilities departments, especially when it comes to fire and security. In many instances, existing on site facilities equipment such as security alarm panels, fire alarm panels, UPS systems and even generator sets can be monitored via the environmental monitoring system if necessary.
4. Not testing equipment regularly enough
Although environmental monitoring systems are built to last, it's possible that sensors can get inadvertently damaged or dislodged during normal day-to-day activities within a typical server room. It's always advisable therefore, to regularly test any alarm sensors you might have (smoke, power, security, water, etc.) to ensure that alerts are triggered as required. 'How regularly?' is always a tricky question - the more frequently the better (fire alarms are now usually tested weekly) but having a test schedule in place of some sort as opposed to none, is a move in the right direction.
5. Not ensuring alerts can be received and acted upon 24/7
Crucial to an effective monitoring strategy is the need to ensure that alerts can be sent to personnel who can take quick, remedial action when a problem occurs. Problems can occur at anytime and the availability of automated telephone voice alerts, SMS alerts, SNMP traps and email alerts mean that it should be fairly straightforward to close any potential loopholes in the alarm notification system.
Esis distributes the full range of Jacarta server room and data centre monitoring products, including the interSeptor, interSeptor Pro, iMeter, and PowerFox 8. Please contact us with your detailed requirements so we can recommend the best solution for you.
DataTaker Clearance - Get in quick!
The world renowned DataTaker DT80 and DT82I general purpose data loggers are on special at Esis, WHILE STOCKS LAST!!
These programmable loggers are versatile enough for almost any job, from simple temperature data logging up to complex jobs involving Modbus devices, remote FTP of data, etc. The loggers come with a graphical web-based interface for easy setup, and the kits on offer include a DataTaker resource CD, USB cable, mains adaptor, screwdriver and DPlot graphing software.
Esis is offering the DT80 and DT82I at special CLEARANCE PRICES for a limited time:
DT80: 5-15 analog channels, plus digital, counters, serial, Ethernet, etc: $2325+GST (normally $2580+GST)
DT82I: 2-6 analog channels, plus digital, counters, serial, Ethernet, etc: $1689+GST (normally $1900+GST)
More details about the DataTaker range can be found on our DataTaker page.
Stocks are very limited at these prices, so call now to avoid disappointment!
Please contact us and we will gladly discuss them with you.
The Most Advanced Mobile Command & Control Field Server
Getac Technology and Esis have launched a unique, MOTS (Military off the shelf) rugged military command laptop computer designed to meet the demanding requirements of battlefield command positions, military field control centres and maintenance facilities for the Asia Pacific region.
The X500 rugged workstation, which is available immediately, has a 15.6” screen, making it one of the largest rugged laptop currently available, and an Intel® Calpella i7-620M 2.66GHz core to give leading edge processing power.
It is backed up with MIL-STD-461F, UL1604, IP65, MIL-STD 810G, has a 5-year-warranty as standard and comes with a uniquely fungus-proof machine body.
With a sunlight readable touch screen, high power Wi-Fi – allowing up to 1000m transmission outdoors – night vision and an easy to remove fan, Getac has built the X500 to be the fastest, most powerful COTS/ MOTS rugged command and control device of its type.
“The X500’s large screen and built-in processing power make this truly leading-edge,” explains James Hwang, President of Getac Technology Corporation. “We have taken commercial off the shelf specification to a new level after incorporating feedback from our customers, shortening delivery lead time and lowering the total cost of ownership.”
“With military command and control centres running multiple software applications and handling large amounts of data, it’s essential they are equipped with top-of-the-range processing speed,” Mr.Hwang adds.
“The X500’s graphics capabilities – the nVidia GT 330M graphic controller – coupled with a large screen also make it the ideal asset for running mapping applications within forward operating bases.”
The X500 Rugged Laptop includes ports as such as dual Gigabit LAN, 2 x RS232 (BIOS adjustable RS422), and 4 x USB ports. It also comes with high levels of security built-in offering TPM 1.2 (Trust Platform Module), Intel vPro Technology, Fingerprint Scanner, Smart Card reader, and is Computrace and Anti-Theft ready.
“Field control devices require multiple I/O connections due to the range of devices requiring an interface with the laptop. That could be anything from satellite and radar equipment to handhelds or diagnostic devices. The X500 is built with that high demand in mind, and offers multiple connectivity ports.”
The standard 15.6” 1366x768 HD display offers1000 NITS upgradable to 1200 NITS, with optional 1920 x 1080 (Full HD) and includes a built-in webcam and HDMI digital video output capabilities.
The unit comes with either a backlit membrane or rubber backlit keyboard, optional Gobi2 WWAN (3.5G), and Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n.
“Military command posts need clear and powerful graphics and computing power coupled with more interfaces and complete expandability,” adds Hwang. “We have listened to the feedback from our customers and built in these features as standard.
Esis supplies the full range of Getac rugged notebook and tablet PC's. To discuss how we can help your business please contact us.
Take 3 minutes to learn about ESIS!
Sit back, have a coffee and watch our short video to find out who we are and what we can do for you.
Click here to watch the video >>
Core i5/i7 Industrial motherboards with ISA & PCI slots
Esis has released several new Industrial Motherboards in the last few months, with amazing combinations of performance and industrial features. Our range of Industrial Grade boards support processors ranging from Pentium M up to the latest Second Generation Core i7 (Sandy Bridge). They offer industrial features such as ISA and PCI slots for legacy boards, multiple serial ports (RS-232 and RS-485), wide temperature range, long product life cycles, and industrial build quality and reliability.
Esis custom builds industrial PC's based around all of these motherboards and more, and we can meet almost any requirement specification (within reason!). Recent builds we have completed include:
* Short-depth rack mount dual Xeon servers powered by -48V DC, for an electricity utility;
* Low cost mid-tower PC's with 3 ISA slots, Pentium 4 processor, and Disk-On-Module for legacy DOS applications;
* Rack mount industrial PC's with 3 ISA slots, Pentium 4 processor, HDD, DVD and floppy drives;
* Fanless and rugged embedded box PC with Core 2 Duo, Slim DVD drive, Windows XP Pro
A selection of our recent and popular industrial motherboards are listed below. More details of these boards and others can be found on our Industrial Motherboards page.
Commell Mini-ITX LV-67G mainboard is based on Q67 chipset, and equipped with DDR3 1066/1333 MT/s data transfer rates memory up to a maximum of 16GB in dual DIMM slots. LV-67G supports VGA, DVI. 3 x RS232C and 1 x RS232/422/485 ports, Networking is provided by Intel 2 x 82574L Giga LAN, 8 x USB2.0 ports, High Definition Audio port, 2 SATA2.0 and 2 SATA3.0, Expansion takes the form of one PCIE x16 slot, one Mini-PCIE slots and one Mini PCI.
Commell ATX AS-C74 mainboard is in the ATX format (307 x 244mm), which gives it room not only for 32GB of DDR3 memory, but also for five expansion boards(one PCIE x 16, one PCIE x 4, one PCIE mini card, one Mini PCI, five PCI slots). It is with Intel Q67 PCH, supports Core i7/i5/i3/ Pentium desktop processors and Xeon E3-1275. AS-C74 includes both VGA & DVI ports, two Giga LAN, 12 USB 2.0, 5 x RS232C and 1 x RS232/422/485, 4 SATA2 and 2 SATA3, HD Audio & one Parallel port.
Commell Micro-ATX MS-C73 mainboard uses the 244 x 244mm Micro-ATX format, includes QM67 Express chipset, and supports 2nd generation Intel mobile Core i7/i5/i3 in the rPGA988B, there are two DDR3 SO-DIMM to support 16GB memeory, and has onboard VGA, DVI and LVDS ports, two Giga LAN, 5 x RS232C & 1 x RS232/422/485, 10 x USB2.0, HD Audio, 4 SATA2 & 2 SATA3, PS/2 & Parallel port, Expansion with one PCIE x 16, one PCIE x4, one PCIE mini card, two PCI slots and one Mini PCI.
iBase MB950 ATX mainboard features:
Support first-generation Intel® Core™ i7 / Core™ i5 / Core™ i3 / Pentium® G9650 processors
4x DDR3 DIMM (w/o ECC), Max. 16GB
2x Gigabit LAN
6x SATA II, 14x USB 2.0, 4x COM
1x PCI-E(x16), 1x PCE-E(x8) [(x4) Link], 1x PCE-E(x1), 4x PCI, 1x ISA Slot 1x IDE, 1x CF
Support dual display; VGA/DVI-D
Support AMT6.0
iBase MB886 ATX mainboard features:
Supports Intel® Core™2 Duo / Pentium® 4 /Pentium® D / Celeron® D processors, up to 3.8GHz, 533/800/1066MHz FSB
4x DDR2 DIMM, Max. 4GB
Integrated 10/100BaseT and Intel® PCI-E Gigabit LAN
Integrated Intel® 945G VGA, CRT support
4x SATA II, 8 x USB 2.0, 4x COM, Watchdog timer,Digital I/O
4x PCI, 1x ISA (slave only), 2x PCI -E(x1), 1x PCI-E (x16) slots
We are also still able to source the very popular iBase MB800V motherboard, which supports Pentium 4 (Socket 478) and has 3 ISA slots. This board is currently still available but stocks of the chipset are limited so it will go end-of-life soon.
Building custom industrial PC's is one of our main specialties at Esis - please contact us to discuss your needs.
Temperature loggers - Part 5: Other specifications
(The previous parts of this series are available in the earlier editions of the Esis newsletter)
In this final part on temperature loggers we investigate the other specifications and features that differentiate temperature loggers and thermometers.
Software
The great benefit of loggers is the ability to view the results and save them for later use. Each logger will typically have its own software. They vary in what the software can do and how easy it is to use.
If customised software is required contact ESIS on XXX and they can work with suppliers to provide a product that meets your requirements.
Construction
Like most items, temperature loggers break. Consideration should be given to the robustness of the logger if it is to be transported or regularly moved. Stainless steel loggers are available. Most loggers are plastic Water resistance is another feature that should be considered if the logger is to be used in a wet or dirty environment. Water damage is a common occurrence. Within the food industry it is strongly recommended that water-resistant loggers be considered.
Size
Loggers vary in size from the size of a coin to large rack mounted machines. For the larger sized units there is typically a probe that will be inserted into the area to be monitored.
Battery life
Most units have replaceable batteries. The battery life should be noted. If it is too short then you will be continually replacing batteries and you could also be loosing data mid-journey.
Re-usable or single use
Most loggers on the market are reusable. That is, you can start it, use it, download the results and then restart them again.
There are some units on the market that are single use. That is, once you download the results they can not be re-used.
Starting options
Temperature loggers often offer a range of techniques to start the logging.
Most loggers provide an immediate start capability via the software.
A manual start option (normally a push button) is useful for where the loggers are stored for some time before use and a PC is not available. For example a farm or warehouse may need to put a logger in a shipment on demand.
A start delay is useful for programming loggers prior to usage. They can then be sent to the user or picked up later.
A trigger is another handy feature. For example, when the temperature reaches 6° then start logging. This means that memory is not being used while it is within the correct temperature range but will start as soon as extreme conditions occur.
Remote starting devices are also available for many loggers. These devices allow a person to start the logger without a computer.
Number of inputs
There are a number of single point loggers on the market. These devices record either their surrounding temperature or have a remote probe. They are very useful for monitoring individual trucks or items.
Larger units provide for multiple probes. The benefit is that there is only one unit that has to be connected to a PC. Retrieving the data is quicker and simpler. The installation is more expensive and difficult because cables have to be run from the probe back to the logger but once installed it saves time.
Outputs
Some loggers provide a display so that the current, minimum and maximum temperatures can be displayed. Indicators for alarms are also available on some units. A relay output is also available. This allows an external alarm to be activated if the temperature becomes too high or low. These options will typically increase the price of the logger. There are also dedicated devices that can also achieve these functions.
Probes
Selecting the right probe is as important as selecting as selecting the right device. Many of the principles discussed apply directly the probe. Of particular importance are:
- Temperature range and accuracy
- Speed of response
- Robustness
- Shape
- Ease of use
There is now a wide range of probes available. Custom probes can also be manufactured by a number of companies.
Price
The biggest issue for many people is price. Reusable temperature loggers range in price from about $60 to thousands of dollars. Money can be saved by not over specifying what is required and by shopping around. Recent technology has allowed improved devices to be made for less so paying more does not necessarily mean better.
Summary
For advice on the best logger for you, please contact ESIS. We will gladly discuss your application and provide advice and recommendations.