December 11th, 2012Success Stories Product Information
Market
Security & Surveillance, Infrastructure
Application
Protection for security and video recording equipment installed at municipal bus depots
The Challenge
JPM Communications, LLC, a leading multi-skilled security contractor/integrator, was approached by a municipal transportation company to provide secure, protective enclosures for NVR equipment (network video recording). To enhance the safety of bus patrons, the NVR systems are used for video surveillance at bus stations throughout the city of San Antonio, TX. The transportation company stipulated that the enclosures must be low-to-zero maintenance, tamper-proof and capable of maintaining enclosure contents at recommended safe operating temperatures year round. The enclosures were to be used in an outdoor environment and would be pole-mounted.
The Solution
The project required JPM to source secure enclosures with internal climate control to protect electronics, cameras and other equipment. JPM consulted with several enclosure providers. EIC was awarded the project because they demonstrated superior technical knowledge in the area of cooling and fast turnaround ability. Additionally, EIC offered a truly turnkey custom solution whereas other vendors provided enclosures or air conditioners, but not both.
Based on JPM’s description of the installation sites, and on the size of the equipment and components to be housed, EIC presented the Protector Series™ enclosures with ThermoTEC™ air conditioners. Along with their EIC sales engineer, JPM worked with the bus company to review and finalize technical specifications and customized options. A staggered delivery schedule was developed which would allow the end user to devote sufficient time at each site to install and tweak their EIC enclosures. During 2012 EIC delivered a total of fifteen enclosures to the bus company through JPM Communications.
The final enclosures featured weatherproof steel cabinets with a white powder coat finish inside and out. Each enclosure holds one wall-mounted air conditioner. Built to NEMA 4 steel construction standards, cabinet size is 24″ high X 28″ wide X 14″ deep. The Protector Series units are time-proven for indoor/outdoor use with welded steel construction for durability and rugged performance. Fast, unencumbered access to the cabinet interior is through a single front door which is fully gasketed for weatherproofing.
The ThermoTEC 1500 BTU thermoelectric solid state air conditioner is rated NEMA 4X for indoor/outdoor use. With ample room inside the enclosure, EIC used their standard through-mount design which has the air conditioner protruding 3-5/8″ into the cabinet. A built-in adjustable thermostat gives the operator total control over cabinet interior climate. The air conditioners have stainless steel mounting flanges and covers. High performance weatherproof gaskets prevent condensation and keep contaminants out of the cooling unit. EIC air conditioners are certified to UL/CSA Standards
JPM’s transportation company customer wanted to be able to install NVRs on a modular basis — switching equipment in and out as needed. To accommodate this request EIC designed and installed custom 19″rack-mount brackets on a sub panel positioned towards upper left side of the cabinet interior. The bracket facilitates easy vertical mounting and removal of 19″ rack-mount equipment (up to 4U) such as DVRs, servers, routers and modems. The brackets are 14 ga. steel with a black powder coat finish. The total weight of the enclosure is approximately 135 lbs.
Benefits/Results
The EIC Protector Series cabinets with ThermoTEC thermoelectric air conditioners afforded plenty of space to house NVR equipment while at the same time met user requirements for cooling, weatherproofing and pole mounting. The electronics and devices could be maintained at constant specified operating temperatures for proper functioning and reduced risk of failure. The EIC cabinets also protected the customer’s electronics and devices from corrosion, dust, dirt and other environmental contaminants.
With no compressors, refrigerant or filters, and no moving parts except for cooling fans, thermoelectric units are renowned for low maintenance which met the transportation company’s stated need for a low maintenance solution. Another performance characteristic of thermoelectric air conditioners is low power consumption which helps control energy costs.
Reliable solid-state electronics helps assure a long lifespan. Durable EIC cabinets are air and water tight enhancing accurate regulation of cabinet interior environment. Because EIC provides both the air conditioner and the enclosure, JPM received superior service and focused expertise than would have been the case had more vendors been involved. Another big plus was EIC’s ability to rapidly customize the enclosure cabinet to meet special situations such as the need to rack mount cabinet contents.
