Monitored 1U fan tray range extends equipment life and reduces noise Released 13 July 2001 APW Electronics has introduced a new range of Monitored Fan Trays (MFT) for use in its own IMserv server racks or in any standard 19" enclosure. The MFT, by dynamically adjusting the fan speed as the temperature changes, provide the best compromise between cooling effectiveness, noise generation and fan life. The fan tray uses 38mm thick fans to maximise the air throughput, and careful design and material selection enables a wire mesh grill to be used without contravening the 44.45mm 1U height limit. A mesh grill is preferred because there is much less restriction to the airflow than when apertures are punched from sheet material; the rounded profile of the wire mesh also contributes significantly to reducing noise levels. The low profile 1U height enables units to be sited under hot spots as required without taking up more than the minimum possible rack height. To control the fan speed, three different types of sensor are available: fixed or adjustable air sensors and a contact sensor. A maximum of three sensors can be used on any one MFT, and each sensor can control from one to six fans. A typical configuration may consist of a top mounted three-fan tray fitted with a fixed temperature sensor and a further three fans sited under two hot spots controlled by a remote sensor. In the event of a sensor failure, the MFT defaults to full speed operation. The fan speed is varied according to temperature, typically between 60% and 100% of full speed. The default setting linearly increases the fan speed from 60% at 20OC to 100% at 50OC; both the temperature extremes and the spread are adjustable, allowing, for instance, the speed range to be compressed to 60% at 20OC and 100% at 30OC if a lower maximum temperature is required. The MFT uses low voltage DC fans, powered from an integral 110/230VAC user-selectable power supply. Volt-free changeover relay contacts are provided for activating or shutting down ancillary equipment, and audible, visible and TTL signal warnings of a fault condition are a further option. The unit is available in two depths: 250mm deep, fitted with three fans and 350mm deep that can be fitted with up to six fans. *** Ends: 366 words *** Notes to Editors. For further information: APW Electronics contact: Marcus Edwards APW Electronics Ashley Road Uxbridge Middlesex UB8 2SQ tel: + 44 (0)1895 237123 fax:+ 44 (0)1895 232164 marcus.edwards@apw.com www.apw.com Agency contact: Nigel May Parkfield Parkfield House, Damerham, Hants, SP6 3HQ tel: + 44 (0)1725 518321 fax: + 44 (0)1725 518378 Nigel_May@parkfield.co.uk www.parkfield.co.uk APW Electronics (formerly VERO Electronics) is part of the $2bn APW Corporation. It has facilities in France, Germany, Italy, Sweden, the UK and the USA, as well as a world-wide network of distributors and sales offices. The company designs, manufactures and markets of a comprehensive range of floor-standing and wall-mounted enclosures, thermal management and cable control products for the worldwide data and voice distribution network marketplaces.