The Fotric 220 Series Thermal Cameras are infrared imaging devices that combine state-of-the-art infrared technology with smartphone capabilities. These cameras can record up to 1,000 frames of full radiometric video and capture temperature change processes in real time with a user-defined sampling rate of up to 5 frames/sec. Up to 640×480-pixel resolution is available and […]
Handheld power quality analyzer handles debugging tasks
The MPQ1000 handheld power quality analyzer has features which make it a good candidate for troubleshooting, compliance testing and energy audits. Auto CT identification eliminates potential errors caused by wrong CT range settings. The analyzer will automatically identify the CT and verify it is connected correctly. Users can also create their own company standard templates […]
Deep-UV LEDs target water disinfection apps
The WD series LEDs was developed specifically for the price and performance needs of POU water disinfection. The manufacturer, Crystal IS, says the Klaran WD Series marks the first instance of an ability to break the $0.25/mW price barrier required for mass production of UVC LED based water purification products. The company will initially offer […]
Energy efficient route to managing low-voltage energy harvesters
It can be tough to harvest energy from innovative IoT devices such as thermoelectric generators built into clothing. A new kind of MOSFET is designed to work with the super-low voltages involved. Robert Chao | Advanced Linear Devices Inc. Energy harvesting devices make headlines because they are thought to be important for internet-of-things applications. As […]
Smart-Gap clears up surges for power-line carrier systems
The Smart-Gap improves the performance and reliability of power line carrier communications by minimizing the impact of any surge-induced loss of carrier signal, also known as carrier holes. The Smart-Gap operates faster than traditional spark-gap solutions, extinguishing surges in less than 0.5 msec. to minimize any signal loss. The maintenance-free Smart Gap is an ideal […]
Where SiC outperforms GaN
Silicon carbide and gallium nitride transistors both have their niche, but it pays to understand the applications in which each excels. Zhongda Li, United Silicon Carbide Inc. Wide band-gap (WBG) devices such as silicon carbide (SiC) and gallium nitride (GaN) are the hot topics of the moment, promising anything from universal wireless charging to power […]
Measuring current with shunt resistors
Here are a few tips for selecting resistors that will accurately gauge current. Bert Weiss, Rutronik Elektronische Bauelemente GmbH Today, practically every control and monitoring circuit uses shunt-based current measurements as an alternative to sensors. To make these measurements accurately, it is useful to understand how shunts work. Because the method is categorized as a […]
Designing with bricks – baseplate-cooled converter modules
Power converter modules can simplify equipment design, but engineers may still need to look at EMC emissions and input-surge filtering. Gary Bocock, XP Power Baseplate cooled power converter modules, also known as bricks, provide building-blocks for integrating power conversion into end equipment. These high-density power modules find use in outdoor sealed enclosures, transportation and defense […]
Bearing trade-offs for cooling fans
The life of most fans is set by the shaft bearings. Simple comparisons show why different bearing technologies can exhibit widely varying MTBF figures. Jeff Smoot, CUI Inc. Cooling fans are critical to many of the devices we rely on every day. A key criterion that affects fan life is the shaft bearing. This crucial […]
Electrolytic capacitors go svelte
The traditional cylindrical packages that have characterized electrolytic caps are giving way to flat packs optimized for small spaces. Mario Dipietro, Flatpack Div., Cornell Dubilier Electronics, Inc. The first reported developments of electrolytic “condensers” were in the 1880s, with significant advances in the mid 1920s. In 1948, etched-foil technology developed by Illinois Condenser (today’s Illinois […]