How to choose an Industrial PC - Power

Once you have sorted out the hardware, application, environment, operating system, space and mounting for an industrial computer, there are still a couple of important points to take a look at before making your decision.

Power requirements are a key factor when selecting an industrial PC. There are many different power options available and choosing the right one can help to operate your new industrial computer reliably and prevent data loss, downtime and system damage. Power needs are dictated by your current system or place of installation for a new unit. Let’s take a look at the main power alternatives offered for Industrial PCs.

There are two main power options used in industrial computers: direct current (DC) and alternating current (AC). DC power is used in extra-low voltage and low-voltage applications. Many electronic devices work on DC power using an AC adapter. Industrial environments often have more specific power requirements and don’t use regular 240V power sockets to power their machinery, another reason why consumer grades computers are not suitable for industrial applications. Conversely, engineered specifically for these environments, industrial PCs have more power options and can be operated in a wide range of applications.

The most common power option for industrial computers to run on is 10~30VDC. It is used for panel PCs and rugged computers as the main alternative as this wide power option covers most applications and power needs. Vehicle mounted computers and monitors have 8~33VDC power input as the standard option to cover most in-vehicle applications. Some vehicles such as forklifts for instance, use standard 12V batteries which when started, have a power drop causing the on-board computer to shut down or re-boot itself. On the other hand, larger vehicles like trucks use two 12V batteries equalling 24V together, so 8~33VDC is used to cover this range of power requirements over different vehicles types, offering the computer protection against power fluctuations and unexpected blackouts. Industrial panel PCs and monitors (such as STX’s X6200 range) can also operate on 12VDC.

AC power is used for larger computers like rugged harsh environment PCs used in production applications. AC power supply makes it easier to set up the unit without using converters. Another way of getting the computer powered is to use an AC power brick. This system works for smaller devices when there is not enough space inside the enclosure to put the converter. Main AC power options available for industrial computers are 110VAC, 230VAC or 110VAC~240VAC with a power brick.

As you can see, there are many options for power input on your industrial PC. To make your new computer fit perfectly into the system and environment, it is better to discuss your requirements with specialists in this area. This ensures professional advice and helps you to select the best option for your needs. Talk to the STX Technology Team today to find out more about power options and other aspects of choosing an Industrial PC.

If you are interested in buying an Industrial Computer, make sure to check out other blog posts from this complete guide series about performance, application, operating system, environment, space, mounting, power, connectivity and other considerations.