Questions + Answers from the Product Manager's POV

  • Aug 06, 2009

DVRs are often placed in remote, unhospitable environments. An air-conditioned enclosure helps protect the DVR so it’s able to do the job it was built for. We wanted to know more about the enclosure market, so we sat down the Bruce Blackway of EIC Solutions Inc.

Q. What is the DVR enclosure

A. EIC’s air-conditioned enclosure is designed to house and protect a DVR, as well as other 19-inch rack-mount electronics such as servers, routers, modems, switches, amplifiers, power supplies, network gear and communication equipment. The DVR is not included with the purchase of this enclosure. There are many variations and sizes of DVR's available today, but we offer many different enclosures to fit various needs.

Q. Is the enclosure suitable for outdoors

A. The enclosure is constructed to NEMA-4 standards and is suitable for use in indoor or outdoor applications. These units are available in three standard sizes as well as a variety of custom sizes. A typical standard size is 20 inches high by 28 inches wide by 14 inches deep.

Q. What are the NEMA ratings

A. The DVR cooler is usually built to NEMA-4 (powder-coated steel) or NEMA-4X (stainless-steel) construction standards. NEMA-12 units in powder-coated steel are designed for indoor use. The most common color is white, as this minimizes "solar loading" in outdoor applications. The DVR enclosure also is available in other colors--gray, black and desert tan--and the NEMA-4X version is produced from Type 304 stainless steel.

Q. Is the enclosure customizable

A. Yes, we can modify the enclosure in a number of different ways. Also, each unit can be customized to fit additional equipment, if desired. Various modifications are available to meet user’s specific requirements.

The enclosure is equipped with a companion solid-state, all-electronic thermoelectric cooling system. This provides a complete level of protection from the elements--dust, dirt, rain and snow--and from overheating. Your valuable electronis are protected, maximizing the life of your equipment.

Q. What can the enclosure hold

A. The air-conditioned DVR enclosure can accommodate a variety of 19-inch rack-mount electronics such as a DVR, a server, a router, a modem, a switch, an amplifier, a power supply, and network gear and communications equipment. As mentioned, more than one device can be housed in the enclosure, if desired. In general, electronics from 1U to 4U can be protected, though designs also are available for equipment greater than 4U.

Q. What is the goal of the DVR enclosure

A. The DVR cooler integrates one of our unique thermoelectric air conditioners into the enclosure to provide complete protection from harsh environments including dust, dirt, sand, moisture, corrosion and extreme temperatures. The primary goal is to maximize the life of the electronics and prevent downtime of the equipment. The DVR enclosure is perfect for the security industry. This air-conditioned enclosure provides a solution to applications in office buildings, universities, governmental facilities, shopping malls, banks, bridges, toll booths and gated communities.

Q. Are there any limitations

A. If a customer has a large number of rack-mount electronic devices they want to protect, this may require a larger enclosure. If a customer has rack-mount gear that must mount in a traditional horizontal orientation, this will require a different design. If the total heat load (in watts) coming from their electronics is quite high--higher than can be handled via a thermoelectric cooler--we will modify their enclosure to include a traditional, compressor-based air conditioner.

Lastly, if a customer is looking for protection during cold months, we will include supplemental heating capability within their air conditioner. This will provide 24/7 protection during warm and cold seasons.

Featured

  • AI to Help Resolve Non-Emergency Calls Across Utah and Decrease 911 Caller Wait Times

    The Utah Communications Authority (UCA), which oversees the state’s next generation 911 technology services, recently announced that public safety answering points (PSAPs) throughout the state plan to implement Motorola Solutions’ Virtual Response technology to automate the receipt and resolution of 10-digit non-emergency line calls in Utah with the help of AI. Read Now

  • Report Reveals Local Governments Face Surge in Ransomware Attacks with Minimal Resources

    KnowBe4, the cybersecurity platform that comprehensively addresses human risk management, recently released new research highlighting the critical cybersecurity challenges facing state, local, tribal, and territorial (SLTT) governments. The report details how government organizations have become prime targets for cybercriminals while simultaneously facing severe resource constraints. Read Now

  • Video Surveillance Trends to Watch

    With more organizations adding newer capabilities to their surveillance systems, it’s always important to remember the “basics” of system configuration and deployment, as well as the topline benefits of continually emerging technologies like AI and the cloud. Read Now

  • New Report Reveals Top Trends Transforming Access Controller Technology

    Mercury Security, a provider in access control hardware and open platform solutions, has published its Trends in Access Controllers Report, based on a survey of over 450 security professionals across North America and Europe. The findings highlight the controller’s vital role in a physical access control system (PACS), where the device not only enforces access policies but also connects with readers to verify user credentials—ranging from ID badges to biometrics and mobile identities. With 72% of respondents identifying the controller as a critical or important factor in PACS design, the report underscores how the choice of controller platform has become a strategic decision for today’s security leaders. Read Now

  • Overwhelming Majority of CISOs Anticipate Surge in Cyber Attacks Over the Next Three Years

    An overwhelming 98% of chief information security officers (CISOs) expect a surge in cyber attacks over the next three years as organizations face an increasingly complex and artificial intelligence (AI)-driven digital threat landscape. This is according to new research conducted among 300 CISOs, chief information officers (CIOs), and senior IT professionals by CSC1, the leading provider of enterprise-class domain and domain name system (DNS) security. Read Now

Most   Popular

New Products

  • Unified VMS

    AxxonSoft introduces version 2.0 of the Axxon One VMS. The new release features integrations with various physical security systems, making Axxon One a unified VMS. Other enhancements include new AI video analytics and intelligent search functions, hardened cybersecurity, usability and performance improvements, and expanded cloud capabilities

  • A8V MIND

    A8V MIND

    Hexagon’s Geosystems presents a portable version of its Accur8vision detection system. A rugged all-in-one solution, the A8V MIND (Mobile Intrusion Detection) is designed to provide flexible protection of critical outdoor infrastructure and objects. Hexagon’s Accur8vision is a volumetric detection system that employs LiDAR technology to safeguard entire areas. Whenever it detects movement in a specified zone, it automatically differentiates a threat from a nonthreat, and immediately notifies security staff if necessary. Person detection is carried out within a radius of 80 meters from this device. Connected remotely via a portable computer device, it enables remote surveillance and does not depend on security staff patrolling the area.

  • FEP GameChanger

    FEP GameChanger

    Paige Datacom Solutions Introduces Important and Innovative Cabling Products GameChanger Cable, a proven and patented solution that significantly exceeds the reach of traditional category cable will now have a FEP/FEP construction.