ISC Information Support Concepts, Inc
A Certified Woman Owned Business Enterprise (WBE)

Issue 7

Publisher:  Jack Burlin                                Editor:  Patti Hammonds

January 5, 2006

IN THIS ISSUE
Your success story            Monthly product special            Kevinisms            Trivia         

Articles of Interest:  NEMA and IP classifications            Part 7:  "When is a toilet like a salt shaker?"

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Your Success Story

Hi Trish,
 
Thanks for your inquiry. Chris is still in Iraq but should be home in a few weeks. He left me, (his wife) in charge of the power strip. We love it.
 
We will use your company in the future as your commitment to customer service is superb.
We are moving to Hawaii and will be sure to call on you when needed.
 
Have a great day,
Treat Harris

Note:  ISC can provide SOHO (small office/home) products as simple as a power strip.

Monthly Product Special

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Information Support Concepts is now a distributor for the Secure Laptop/Notebook Cabinet (SLNC), and accessories.  This fully powered cabinet can house and recharge up to eighteen laptops/notebook computers.
The SLNC comes with an all steel, locking, two piece tambour door that is securely housed within the body of the cabinet when the doors are open.  You can even add a security bar that accepts a padlock for additional protection. 
Within the cabinet, the individually keyed compartments have their own power receptacle for recharging.
Other options include an exhaust fan housing, storage bins, and other types of drawers.  You can even configure the cabinet as a network cabinet by wiring it for data as well as power.  This allows each laptop/notebook to be uploaded with pertinent data every evening, or whenever they are stored/recharged.
Call 800-458-6255 for more information.  Mention the January newsletter article for 5% off*!

*The 5% discount  will be applied to retail customers only, and cannot be combined with other offers. 
 Valid through January 31, 2006. 


NEMA Classifications
Cross reference to IP ratings

NEMA is short for the National Electric Manufacturers’ Association.  NEMA is a group that sets standards for how electric components should perform in a particular environment.  NEMA has established a rating system for defining the type of protection required for electrical components in both indoor and outdoor environments.  This is commonly referred to at the NEMA classification.  To find a cabinet or structure to house your electric components, first determine what environmental factors are present (such as dust, water, etc.), then refer to one of the following charts.

Indoor NEMA Classifications
Provide a degree of protection Against
the following environmental conditions		 1 2 4 4X 5 6 6P 11 12 12K 13
Accidental Contact with equipment X X X X X X X X X X X
Falling Dirt X X X X X X X X X X X
Falling Liquids and light spraying   X X X   X X X X X X
Dust, lint fibers, and flyings     X X X X X   X X X
Hosedown and splashing water     X X   X X        
Oil and coolant seepage                 X X X
Oil or cooling spraying and splashing                     X
Corrosive agents       X     X X      
Occasional temporary submersion           X X        
Occasional prolonged submersion             X        

So a NEMA 4 cabinet is the typical choice for protection against dust.

Outdoor NEMA Classifications
Provide a degree of protection Against
the following environmental conditions		 3 3R 3S 4 4X 6 6P
Accidental contact with equipment X X X X X X X
Rain, snow, and sleet X X X X X X X
Sleet     X        
Windblown dust X   X X X X X
Hosedown       X X X X
Corrosive agents         X   X
Occasional temporary submersion           X X
Occasional prolonged submersion             X

A group similar to NEMA is the IEC.  The IEC (The International Electrotechnical Commission) is a global organization that prepares and publishes international standards for all electrical, electronic, and related technologies. These serve as a basis for national and regional standardization.  IEC standards serve the same purpose for Europe and other regions that NEMA standards do for the US.  The corresponding IEC classifications are known as IP codes, which stand for International Protection.  The IP code is arranged differently from NEMA codes, as follows:

Code Letters (International Protection) IP
First Characteristic Numeral (0-6 or X) 2
Second Characteristic Numeral (0-6 or X) 3
Additional Letter (optional A, B, C, or D) C
Supplementary Letter (optional, H, M, S, or W) H

So a representative classification is IP23CH.  As shown in the charts below, this represents protection from objects of 12.5mm diameter and larger, and from spraying water.

Here are the brief descriptions of the first and second characteristics.  The additional and supplementary letters do not have equivalents under the NEMA system of classifications.  They refer to special situations and differing degrees of protection against hazardous parts.
 

First Numeral Brief Description Second Numeral Brief Description
0 Non-protected 0 Non-protected
1 Protected against solid foreign
objects 50mm diameter and larger		 1 Protected against vertically
falling water drops
2 Protected against solid foreign
objects 12.5mm diameter and larger		 2 Protected against vertically falling
 water drops when enclosure
 tilted up to 15 degrees
3 Protected against solid foreign
objects 2.5mm diameter and larger		 3 Protected against spraying water
4 Protected against solid foreign
objects 1.0mm diameter and larger		 4 Protected against splashing water
5 Dust protected 5 Protected against water jets
6 Dust-tight 6 Protected against powerful
water jets


Being familiar with the NEMA ratings is great, but what if your client (or your office in Paris) asks you to provide a cabinet with IP20?  Consult the table below to cross reference the NEMA and IP classifications.

NEMA Enclosure Type IEC Enclosure Environmental Classification
1 IP20
2 IP21
3 IP54
3R IP24
3S IP54
4, 4X IP56
5 IP52
6, 6P IP67
12, 12K IP52
13 IP54

This cross reference covers nearly all the classifications likely to be encountered, with the exception of any explosion proof situations.

Call us at 800-458-6255 for more information on what ISC can do to meet your needs for NEMA or IP rated cabinets.
 

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Kevinisms

A Kevinism is a funny or intriguing statement or idea from our Vice President of Sales, Kevin Hunt.  Kevin is a big fan of Sandra Bullock, Pizza Inn black olive pizza, and Dr. Pepper (not necessarily in that order).  He is not a big fan of Chinese food, seafood, or other types of "dead" stuff.

Kevin is the master of offering the "right thing at the wrong time."  Kevin thinks this wins him points in the "flexible and reasonable" realm, but the offers are usually so transparent that they become like a standard joke.  Here are some examples:

1.  When the wind is blowing, or when the weather is really cold, Kevin will suggest going to a restaurant with a patio.  Naturally Kevin knows no one in their right mind will be using the patio, and of course he really does not want to go to that restaurant anyway.

2.  When we happen to be in the right geographic area, usually after just completing lunch, Kevin will suggest we should take advantage of being close by, and go to the Chinese restaurant.  Naturally no one is interested in eating another lunch, and of course Kevin does not really want to eat Chinese anyway.

On those days when we are discussing where to go for lunch, and if the weather conditions are right, someone might suggest Chinese food or going to sit on a patio somewhere.  Based on his suggestions from 1 and 2 above, Kevin will usually say, "When I offered to go to "..........." last week, no one wanted to go.  Why do you want to go now?"

Here is a photo of Kevin looking for an acceptable Chinese restaurant or patio.  These are not easily viewed from inside the warehouse.  Hence the forklift.

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Trivia Question
What was the original color of the Ruby Slippers in the film the Wizard of Oz,
and why were they changed to ruby?

All correct answers will be placed into a pool for a random drawing at the end of the month.  The winner will receive a free 25 foot reel of reusable velcro cable ties (part number MD88-25RLBK), plus free ground shipping.  Send your answers to: 

Jack Burlin

See next month's newsletter for the winner and the correct answer.

Answer from December's Newsletter.

Q:  Who is buried in Grant's tomb?

A:  This was a bit of a trick question, although a very famous question.  The answer is both Ulysses S. Grant and his wife, Julia D. Grant are buried in Grant's tomb.  They share a single sarcophagus.  Some people tried to make this even more tricky, by noting that Grant and his wife are actually "entombed" and not buried.

The winner was Jason Young (also known as the "pirate") from Middle Atlantic.

 
 

When is a toilet

 like a salt shaker?

 

Part 7  Continued from December

     Here is the table of  the names I have applied to each group of respondents to the survey described in the October issue.  This month we will define the Men of  Leisure.
 
The men who prefer the toilet seat up are: Macho Men
The women who prefer the toilet seat up are: Fairy Godmothers
The men who prefer the toilet seat down are: Men of Leisure
The women who prefer the toilet seat down are: Queens of the Realm
The men who prefer the lid down are: Paleolithic Men
The women who prefer the lid down are: Interior Decorators
The men who have no preference are: Philosopher Kings
The women who have no preference are: Warrior Princesses


Men of Leisure

Thinking about the Men of Leisure reminds me of the classic 50s/60s TV show, The Life of Riley.  The title of the show (starring William Bendix) was derived from an adage that said if someone was living in luxury with no responsibilities or problems, they were "living the life of Riley."

Men of Leisure usually adapt from one of the other classifications (especially the Philosopher King).  I do not think any men start out as Men of Leisure, because family and society pressures ensure that they are taught how to use a urinal as well as a toilet.  However, once they begin to realize that women have things pretty good, they rapidly make the transition.  After all, women can go the bathroom sitting down!  What a great advantage.

Men of Leisure do not consider that sitting down is less manly.  Like alcoholics or people with other addictions, they feel they can give it up "anytime they want to."  In addition, they still get plenty of practice using urinals in public restrooms.  So if they decide to take a load off and relax at home, what's the problem?

Men of Leisure quickly realize that there are no more arguments about the toilet seat.  Neither do they hear their woman complain about them being messy all the time.  This is a huge bonus for the Men of Leisure.  Now they never have to clean up after accidents, and they can even take the opportunity to read a bit more often.  Going to the bathroom becomes more leisurely, and there is never any big hurry.  The Men of Leisure are convinced they actually save time, because they don't have to always have the same recurring argument with their woman.  Just think of the reduced stress!  They feel they are adding years to their life, and since they are now Men of Leisure, what could be better than that?

Continued next month with the Queens of the Realm

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Information Support Concepts, Inc.
Mansfield, Texas
 ISC, Information Support Concepts, Inc. offers an Extensive Selection of Quality 19” and 23” Rackmount Enclosure Computer Racks, Server Cabinets, Server Racks, 2-Post and 4-Post Racks, LAN Racks, Portable Racks, Power, Rackmount LCD TFT Monitor Keyboards, Accessories and Much More for IT-Network-Telecom Professionals.
ISC, Information Support Concepts, Inc. offers an Extensive Selection of Quality 19” and 23” Rackmount Enclosure Computer Racks, Server Cabinets, Server Racks, 2-Post and 4-Post Racks, LAN Racks, Portable Racks, Power, Rackmount LCD TFT Monitor Keyboards, Accessories and Much More for IT-Network-Telecom Professionals.