subject: The Manufacturing of Protective Environments [print this page] Author: Richard n Williams Author: Richard n Williams
When its cold, most of us add an extra layer and dress warmer. If its hot we may slip into shorts and a t-shirt, whilst if its raining we may use an umbrella to prevent us from getting wet. Likewise when it comes to working in hostile conditions protective workwear is often worn to protect normal clothes and prevent injury. But it is not just people that need to be protected from the elements. Many electrical devices that are used in outdoor or factory locations need to be protected too. These can range from outdoor digital signage screens to computer systems used in industrial premises. Unlike conventional equipment that are used in offices and homes, having to operate in outdoor locations or in industrial areas requires protecting the devices from multiple elements and potential hazards. For instance in outdoor locations, an LCD TV screen used as a digital signage device will need protection from the rain, snow and other weather elements. However, there is also more to consider for any device that has to operate outdoors. There are the temperature extremes to think about; both excessive hot and cold can disable many electrical devices and also direct sunlight can have a damaging effect on something like an LCD screen. There is also the security of the device to consider too, vandals and thieves are an unfortunate aspect of life but they still need to be considered when implementing an outdoor display device or digital signage system. When it comes to factory of industrial areas then other considerations need to be taken into account. Dust and airborne debris can disable many devices such as computers, printers or screens plus there is the risk of heavy impacts, vibration damage not to mention liquids, oils and greases sploshing around. Protecting devices, whether it is a computer, touch screen, printer or LCD TV requires creating a total environment where the optimum conditions that the device can operate in. These protective environments often come in the guise of protective enclosures. LCD enclosures, industrial computer enclosures and enclosures for printers and touch screens house conventional, off-the-shelf devices that fit snugly into the enclosures. These computer, printer or LCD enclosures are usually manufactured from mild or stainless steel. Stainless steel is more-often-than-not used in food manufacturing or washdown areas as it is none corrosive and can withstand repeated hose down or cleaning. Inside every enclosure, whether its a computer enclosure or a display or printer enclosure, should contain air flow systems. Cool air is required by nearly every electronic device to help prevent overheating and transport heat away. Normally airflow of a computer of LCD comes via an air vent which allows air from the outside to run through the device. However, with devices operating in wet or outdoor locations then it is not feasible to have an open vent to the outside as water can seep through. Specially designed plenum chambers that allow air and not water through are often used to counter this problem. Heating elements are also used inside enclosures as are air condition systems for use in extremely hot environments. Other hazards such as direct sunlight damaging an LCD screen can be countered too using anti-glass or even an air curtain (cool hair blown across the screen to prevent hotspots).] Enclosures are built to current guidance advice such as those issued by the EU or the National Electrical Manufacturers Association so IP65 and NEMA 4 enclosures are not hard to find. But perhaps the biggest advantage of using enclosures rather than specific outdoor or weatherproof devices is they house standard equipment and more often than not this means that the combined cost of say a display device plus the outdoor LCD enclosure is often a lot less than a specific outdoor TV. The same can also be said for industrial computers versus computer enclosures and also printer enclosures.About the Author:
Richard N Williams is a technical author and a specialist in the digital advertising industry helping to develop outdoor digital signage and computer, printer and touch screen enclosures for all environments. Please visit us for more information about an LCD enclosure or other digital outdoor signage solutions.
