Radar Rack Cooling

Radar Rack Cooling:

TECA Model AHP-2259XEHC enclosure cooler is being used to cool data racks on a radar system for military use. The AHP-2259-Series can be powered from 90-264 VAC. The universal input feature makes for easy ‘plug and play’ use in various global locations. Ideal for outdoor applications, power efficiency is increased by as much as 10% in higher ambient temperatures. The AHP-2259-Series can be configured to boost cooling performance or power efficiency, depending on the goals of the end user. Also notable is TECA’s exclusive ECO Mode temperature control feature. This passive cooling feature significantly reduces the need for active cooling, and thus reduces amp draw and the overall cost of ownership.

Please click here to view product specifications and email us if we can be of assistance!

TECA Gives Back

Donation of Recirculating Liquid Chiller:

TECA is pleased to be a part of an educational exhibit in a science museum.

TECA donated a TLC-700, our most popular model of Recirculating Liquid Chiller to the New York Hall of Science (NYSCI). The TLC-700 is part of the “Search for Life” exhibition. Specifically, it cools Mars and The North Pole in an exhibit exploring how Earth’s denser atmosphere holds heat better than Mars’s thin atmosphere.

 

 

 

Special Note: The NYSCI has been temporarily closed since September 1, 2021 due to hurricane damage. Learn More

Low Temperature, Low Price

Introducing TECA’s newest cold plate product, the AHP-301CAS:

What is a cascaded cold plate? It is a system of multiple layers- each cascade layer acts as a heat sink for the layer above it. This creates colder temperatures at the top layer, colder than what could be accomplished with a single cold plate. TECA has introduced a new product to its stable of cascaded cold plate systems. The AHP-301CAS is a two-stage cascade system and in a 25degC Ambient environment, the AHP-301CAS can reach as low as -35degC.

For even lower temperatures, TECA has long offered larger 2-stage and 3-stage cascaded systems. However, we recognized a need for a simpler, less expensive cascade solution. Some industrial and laboratory applications do not require as low as -76degC below delta-T for example (see model AHP-1200C31). Our standard single cold plates can reach a range of -10 to -15degC. The new AHP-301CAS is a ‘goldilocks’ cascade system; colder than usual but not more than is needed. The AHP-301CAS is priced 20% less than the next larger cascade and is half the price of our most powerful cascaded system.

Safety in the Field, Safety in the Lab

Safety in the Field, Safety in the Lab

Best practices usually exceed what is defined in regulatory requirements. Obtaining safety certification is an important step in the product cycle for this reason. It demonstrates a commitment to the safety and quality of the product. Regarding product safety testing, there is a choice in testing partners to conduct the certification review. The following blog entry explores the what and why of safety certification.

A safety standard’s origin story:
Safety standards are developed by such institutions as the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), Underwriters Laboratories (UL), and others. These groups develop and publish their own standards, which gain recognition in one of two ways. A standard might become a government’s regulatory requirement, or a standard might gain popularity from the private sector. As more customers demand a specific standard, more manufacturers and OEMs will seek it for the products they produce.

Compliance versus certification:
In a similar spirit as the phrase “correlation does not equal causality”, note that compliance is not the same as certification. A compliant product might indeed meet a given safety standard, but this a self-reported state. There is no 3rd party oversight to agree or disagree with a manufacturer’s statement of compliance. To gain a certification of a given safety standard, the product must undergo certification testing and this testing must be performed by a Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory (NRTL). The NRTL is the 3rd party and its function is to test and certify whether a product meets the given standard. The NRTL is disinterested in the outcome of the testing; its commercial reputation relies on the quality and impartiality of its work.

Who is a NRTL?
A Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory (NRTL) is qualified as such by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). The NRTL Program is part of OSHA’s directive to ensure products are safe for use in the U.S. workplace. It has a say over which private-sector organizations are recognized as capable of determining whether a product meets the safety standard developed by ANSI, etc. In Canada, a similar group called the Standards Council of Canada is tasked with granting accreditation to Testing Organization and Certification Bodies (akin to NRTLs in the U.S.).

Safety certification for TECA products:
Air Conditioners: All versions of our two most popular product families (AHP-1200-Series and AHP-1800-Series) are ETL listed (Intertek) to UL & CSA safety standards. This includes our new certification status for the 24 vdc & 48 vdc input variations of these products. These TECA coolers are ideal for the thermal management of electronics enclosures.

Cold/Hot Plates: The AHP-301CPV, the AHP-1200CPV (includes ERGO-900), the AHP-1200CAS, and the AHP-1800CPV are certified to UL & CSA safety standards. Our cold plate products offer precise, reliable temperature testing on your bench top. Ideal for components testing and laboratory work, these TECA products are versatile. Temperature-control communications software is included. Optional customizations and accessories are available.

The take-away on safety standards:
Regarding product safety testing, there is a choice in NRTL testing partners to conduct the certification review. Choosing an OSHA-qualified or Standards Council of Canada-accredited laboratory to test products will ensure a valid determination for safety certification. Seeking those safety standards which are most in demand will satisfy current customers, help attract new customers, and help make a strong statement about the products’ quality and the manufacturer’s commitment to safety.

Resources:
TECA partners with Intertek to provide our products with the ETL Listed Mark. The ETL Listed Mark is the legal equivalent to the UL and CSA Listed Marks. A product bearing the ETL Listed Mark is determined to have met the minimum requirements of prescribed product safety standards. Intertek is an OSHA-qualified NRTL. Intertek is also accredited by the Standards Council of Canada as an accredited Testing Organization and Certification Body.

Safety in the Field, Safety in the Lab

Safety in the Field, Safety in the Lab

Best practices usually exceed what is defined in regulatory requirements. Obtaining safety certification is an important step in the product cycle for this reason. It demonstrates a commitment to the safety and quality of the product. Regarding product safety testing, there is a choice in testing partners to conduct the certification review. The following blog entry explores the what and why of safety certification.

A safety standard’s origin story:
Safety standards are developed by such institutions as the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), Underwriters Laboratories (UL), and others. These groups develop and publish their own standards, which gain recognition in one of two ways. A standard might become a government’s regulatory requirement, or a standard might gain popularity from the private sector. As more customers demand a specific standard, more manufacturers and OEMs will seek it for the products they produce.

Compliance versus certification:
In a similar spirit as the phrase “correlation does not equal causality”, note that compliance is not the same as certification. A compliant product might indeed meet a given safety standard, but this a self-reported state. There is no 3rd party oversight to agree or disagree with a manufacturer’s statement of compliance. To gain a certification of a given safety standard, the product must undergo certification testing and this testing must be performed by a Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory (NRTL). The NRTL is the 3rd party and its function is to test and certify whether a product meets the given standard. The NRTL is disinterested in the outcome of the testing; its commercial reputation relies on the quality and impartiality of its work.

Who is a NRTL?
A Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory (NRTL) is qualified as such by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). The NRTL Program is part of OSHA’s directive to ensure products are safe for use in the U.S. workplace. It has a say over which private-sector organizations are recognized as capable of determining whether a product meets the safety standard developed by ANSI, etc. In Canada, a similar group called the Standards Council of Canada is tasked with granting accreditation to Testing Organization and Certification Bodies (akin to NRTLs in the U.S.).

Safety certification for TECA products:
Air Conditioners: All versions of our two most popular product families (AHP-1200-Series and AHP-1800-Series) are ETL listed (Intertek) to UL & CSA safety standards. This includes our new certification status for the 24 vdc & 48 vdc input variations of these products. These TECA coolers are ideal for the thermal management of electronics enclosures.

Cold/Hot Plates: The AHP-301CPV, the AHP-1200CPV (includes ERGO-900), the AHP-1200CAS, and the AHP-1800CPV are certified to UL & CSA safety standards. Our cold plate products offer precise, reliable temperature testing on your bench top. Ideal for components testing and laboratory work, these TECA products are versatile. Temperature-control communications software is included. Optional customizations and accessories are available.

The take-away on safety standards:
Regarding product safety testing, there is a choice in NRTL testing partners to conduct the certification review. Choosing an OSHA-qualified or Standards Council of Canada-accredited laboratory to test products will ensure a valid determination for safety certification. Seeking those safety standards which are most in demand will satisfy current customers, help attract new customers, and help make a strong statement about the products’ quality and the manufacturer’s commitment to safety.

Resources:
TECA partners with Intertek to provide our products with the ETL Listed Mark. The ETL Listed Mark is the legal equivalent to the UL and CSA Listed Marks. A product bearing the ETL Listed Mark is determined to have met the minimum requirements of prescribed product safety standards. Intertek is an OSHA-qualified NRTL. Intertek is also accredited by the Standards Council of Canada as an accredited Testing Organization and Certification Body.

Power Efficiency in a Marine Environment

Control Cabinet Cooling:

An engineer, tasked with upgrading a dozen control cabinets on sea-faring vessels, contacted TECA for advice. Although the cooling need was not large, there were many other challenges to the project. TECA’s customer needed a truly robust cooler; something that could be exposed to vibrations, high ambient temperatures of 60degC, and salt spray from the ocean. Furthermore, power efficiency was a must. TECA’s thermoelectric coolers have the highest power efficiency ratings in the industry. TECA Model AHP-590XMHC was able to meet every single requirement.

Control Cabinet Cooling TECA Model AHP-590XMHCLike all TECA “XM” units, the AHP-590XMHC has military-grade fans on both the internal and external sides. Providing protection against salt spray (Mil-Std 810 Corrosion), TECA’s “XM” units also have full protection from exposure to shock and vibration. TECA’s unique ECO-Mode temperature controller feature limits the amount of time the cooler needs to be actively cooling. Utilizing passive cooling in lower demand times draws 95% less current. During high demand times, the active cooling function of the AHP-590XMHC draws 32% less current than its closest competitor on the market.

TECA Model AHP-590XMHC

Contact TECA today for friendly & knowledgeable guidance. We look forward to helping your project succeed! Ph: 773-342-4900 E: teca@thermoelectric.com

sea-faring vessels  marine environment 

TECA Gives Back

Donation for Outdoor Kiosk: Thermal Management

Recently, TECA was honored to have the opportunity to help non-profit with a cooling project. TECA Model AHP-1800XE fills a need for cooling the inside of a free-standing kiosk, thus protecting its electronic components. The kiosk is located in the Veterans Memorial Park in Pensacola, FL where the heat index can reach above 100F. The AHP-1800XE air conditioner has been installed and the customer reports it is functional, easy to install, and quiet.

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Under the Radar

Under the Radar

Cooling RF Device with Liquid Chiller:

under the radar

TECA Corp. manufactures an extensive line of thermoelectric, recirculating liquid chillers. Typically used in laboratories, TECA’s chiller Model RLC-1800 recently adventured out into a more unique application. In this application, TECA was able to help a contractor working for the USAF to reduce cost. The contractor required a replacement chiller with the same form, fit, and function as their original (non-TECA) equipment. The TECA engineering team found a way to modify the RLC-1800 to satisfy the customer’s requirements, while keeping the expense to a minimum. The cooling capacity of the RLC-1800 is our largest in a mountable chiller.

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M&W Chiller Replacement

M&W chiller replacement:

recirculating chillerrack mount recirculating chillerflow through chiller
M&W Systems has closed shop but M&W coolers remain in use. When it is time for a replacement, consider TECA’s line of thermoelectric liquid chillers. Our customer service is excellent. Our friendly and knowledgeable staff will help you find the best TECA solution for your needs. Recirculating Liquid Chillers for benchtop, rack mounted liquid chillers, and Through-Flow Liquid Chillers are all available from TECA. Requests to modify standard products are welcome.

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