Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is "NEMA" and why should I care?

The term "NEMA" is the acronym for the National Electrical Manufacturers Association. This association has set a number of "standards" for manufacturers to follow. One of them is the degree of protection a given enclosure design provides. For NEMA 12 it means the enclosure provides protection for dusty environments. For NEMA 4 it protects against dust and hose directed water. Finally, NEMA 4X protects against the above as well as corrosion resistance.

This is a common means of "rating" enclosure designs to make it easier for users to specify the level of protection they need.

2. Why is NEMA 4X, (stainless steel) more money than NEMA 4 or 12?

Due to the fact that NEMA 4X requires protection against corrosion most manufacturers use stainless steel instead of steel or aluminum. Stainless steel costs more to begin with as a raw material. Then, it normally costs more to fabricate, weld, polish, etc. due to the type of material it is. It is a heavier material and much more difficult to punch and form since it is so hard.

3. Why do flat panel displays (LCDs) cost more than CRTs?

CRT's have been around for a long time... at least since computers have been around... 20-30 years. Flat Panel technology is still relatively new... last 4-5 years. As a result, the manufacturing cost for these new LCD style displays is still high. The majority of these screens are produced overseas and until the volume goes up the prices will remain higher than conventional monitors/CRTs.

Prices on flat panel displays will continue to drop and will eventually rival the cost of CRTs.

Flat Panel displays however have some distinct advantages over CRTs such as smaller size (depth), lighter weight, less heat generation, less susceptible to electrical noise, brighter images and typically more "robust" than most CRTs. As a result, they are well suited for harsh, factory floor environments which are hot, have electrical noise, limited lighting and where space is at a premium.

4. How does a touchscreen work?

The touchscreen works just like a mouse. Instead of moving the mouse you move your finger or stylus across the screen and "drag" the cursor to where you need it. There are different types of touchscreens however they all basically work on an X and Y grid axis that detect where you are placing your finger. You can click or even double click simply by tapping the screen with your finger. There is software that is provided in a driver format that handles the intelligence of where your finger is.

In most touchscreen applications a series of icons are created on the various display screens that allow the operator to "touch" and activate an action. Touchscreens tend to be very intuitive for the operator.

5. Can I use a touchscreen AND a mouse on my PC?

Yes, you can use both a mouse and a touchscreen on the same PC. The mouse connection goes in through the normal mouse port and the touchscreen normally goes in via a serial port or a separate PC bus card that is added to the PC. The computer will accept inputs from either device. Basically, whichever device is being used will provide the necessary input/control. There will not be any conflict within the PC.

6. How does CRT size compare to flat panel size?

CRT "sizes" are measured based on the size of the internal tube. A 17" monitor for example means that the tube, measured diagonally, is a total of 17". However, when the monitor is turned on only about 15-15.5" of the tube is active. As a result you only get an image that is 15.5" diagonal, not 17"

Flat panels are different. When they say 17" they mean 17" worth of usable display area. A 17" CRT is therefore equivalent to a 15" Flat panel display. A 20" flat panel display will provide an equivalent viewing area to a 23" CRT.

7. For hazardous areas why do these "Purge" Workstations cost so much?

Based on the fact that the area is rated as Hazardous (Class I, Div 1 or 2) then it is assumed that explosive gases are present. In these areas, safety devices must be added to insure that an electrical malfunction does not ignite the gases and cause an explosion.

These "safety devices" include purging systems, intrinsic safety barriers, explosion proof enclosures and non-incendive designs. These devices cost money to design and manufacture AND they normally have been certified by an independent 3rd party agency. This certification is on going and costs the manufacturer money to maintain. The actual components used within a purge workstation are costly and the labor to assemble, test and certify these units can be extensive.

8. Is FM or UL approval required for hazardous areas?

That depends. Some companies require it, others don't but they definitely "prefer it". Having FM or UL approval separates the companies that do this for a living from companies that have just built a few units for hazardous areas. By submitting these products to a third-party agency it is another level of assurance for the end-user that the product they are getting has been "certified" by an independent 3rd party agency like Factory Mutual (FM) or Underwriters Laboratories (UL). Having this approval also reduces the liability, which should translate to lower insurance costs.

9. Is purging the only choice for hazardous areas?

No, there are other methods including using an explosion proof enclosure and using intrinsic safety barriers. There are pros and cons for all the "approved" methods. Purging is by far the most common form of protection when it comes to putting computers or terminals in hazardous areas.

10. Can't I use a Vortex cooler on an enclosure for purging?

No, big mistake that some customers make. With purging you must be able to detect a pressure loss and sound an alarm or automatically "kill power". A vortex style cooler can't do that. Also, you need to have a vent on the unit to allow for continuous pressure relief.

Vortex cooling is NOT an approved method for hazardous areas.

11. Do I need cooling on my workstation enclosure?

That will depend on three things. 1. ... What is the maximum temperature it will get in the area. 2. ... How much heat is your computer system generating. 3.... How much heat can your computer system tolerate before it shuts down or begins to malfunction.

Putting a computer in a closed box normally requires some kind of cooling or internal air movement. It just makes good sense.

12. On my SlimView Workstation how far away can I place my computer?

If you use the Copper Extender option then you can go up to 400'. By using the Fiber Extender you can go up to 3000'. Either version will extend video, touchscreen (serial), keyboard and mouse signals via a single CAT 5 or Fiber cable.

13. How easy is it to replace my keyboard if it fails?

All Pro-Tech Workstation designs come with a removable bottom panel under the keyboard housing. This allows for the keyboard to be removed/replaced with ease.

14. How do I get power and communication cables into the workstation?

On the rear panel is a removable conduit plate. This allows for flexible conduit to be brought to the back of the workstation.

15. Is their anything special about using the flat panel displays?

The interfaces for these displays are the same as they are for a standard CRT. There is an on-screen set up menu that will lead you through the set-up and adjustments. There is a factory default option to choose standard settings.

16. What about the "backlights"? Should these be a concern and can they be changed out?

The backlights are basically the "bulbs" that provided the lighting of the display. They have a standard 50,000-hour life. Basically, if these units were run continuously under normal conditions 24 hours per day, 7 days a week then the "life" would be 5.7 years.