How to choose an Industrial PC - Environment

How to choose an Industrial PC based on environment? Consumer grade PCs can only be installed in regular environments which is why purchasing a domestic computer for industrial application is not recommended. Industrial environments have many challenging factors impacting on the operation of the computer. So, what to consider when purchasing an Industrial PC?

Most of the industrial environments have humidity, dust, dirt, debris, vibration and temperature extremes involved in everyday operation. In these circumstances, normal computers fail which leads to extra cost and, of course, downtime. Most industrial PCs have a fanless system to make sure that nothing is sucked through airflow vents. A fanless or ventless enclosure has a specific configuration that keeps all components at optimum operational temperature. This also protects internal parts from damage caused by debris or dust and ensures longer product lifecycle.

Industrial computers are manufactured in a tough enclosure often made from stainless steel or aluminium. This prevents corrosion and allows easier cleaning of units with water or special liquids. Industrial computer enclosures have a different level of protection that is measured by IP and NEMA ratings. Some enclosures have a general protection from dust and debris, some feature more extensive protection from water spray and humidity, while others have a fully sealed enclosure that is completely waterproof for extreme conditions.

Thanks to their rugged enclosure and fanless system, industrial computers can be used even in sterile and hazardous locations. Sterile environments are very common for medical and pharmaceutical applications and have special demands with regards to health safety. It is very important to be sure that nothing foreign can come from equipment used for these applications. Hazardous locations include oil drilling, mining, fracking, paint and coatings industries or other environments where there is a risk of explosion. These applications require hardware with no moving parts removing the possibility of creating a spark. To prevent any risk of creating sparks or even causing an explosion, fanless computers with a solid-state drive need to be used. Modern equipment and a variety of certified products (UL Class 1 Division 2 (C1D2 or Class 1 Div 2), Groups A, B, C, D, T4, ATEX 94/9/EC Zone 2, and IECEx Zone 2, Ex “ic” and Ex “nA”, T4) are a must-have option for this sort of environment.

Another important factor is vibration in the operation of the unit. This is a standard situation for industrial computers in transportation, warehousing, manufacturing, boats, planes, forklifts and other in-vehicle environments. Eliminating internal moving parts solves this problem quite satisfactorily combined with a ventless system and SSD ensures the reliability and durability of the product. In addition to this, a solid-state drive helps to minimise the risk of data being damaged or lost because of shock impact.

And last but not least, outdoor applications. Obviously, outdoor environments feature a range of challenging conditions such as dirt, dust, humidity, water spray, temperature extremes and vibration. But there is the added complication of direct sunlight. This is not only dangerous from a temperature perspective, but it can also make a computer screen burn out. From a user’s point of view, it is very uncomfortable to use regular displays under direct sunlight because of the brightness and the difficulty of viewing information. A high brightness screen is a solution for this issue. There are a couple of options available on the market including 600 nit displays for high bright environments and 1000 nit displays for extremely bright outdoor applications.

STX Technology installs modern versions of SSD to all their computers to ensure the maximum level of reliability. All Industrial Panel PCs by STX Technology come with a fanless system that is proven in both regular and harsh environments. A wide range of products includes fully sealed computers and monitors with IP67 rated connectors. Combined with an impressive list of customisation options and accessories it ensures that STX Technology’s products can suit literally every environment.

Check out the STX Technology complete guide to buying an Industrial PCs covering performance, application, operating system, environment, space, mounting, power, connectivity and other considerations.