A free, interactive CD is packed with features to help users specify an enclosure and is said to be perfect for installation engineers working across several industry sectors.
Electrical and electronic packaging specialist Sarel, a division of Schneider Electric, has launched a free, interactive CD packed with features to help users specify an enclosure. Designated the Vision CD, the new tool is perfect for design or installation engineers working across several industry sectors. Features on the CD include thermal management software, CAD drawings, an estimating tool and product details.

The thermal management software helps users understand and compensate for heat rise and condensation in electrical and electronic packaging.

'It isn't uncommon for badly specified enclosures to contain a couple of inches of water as the result of condensation.

In such situations, correct specification can result in big maintenance savings later in the project,' stated Adrian Walker, business development manager of Sarel.

'Essentially, any application where electrical equipment that consumes power can be found in the same enclosure as electronic components requires some degree of thermal compensation.

I have known us to resolve quite serious client problems that have had as their root the fact that electronic equipment doesn't get on with either elevated operating temperatures or condensation! The Vision CD will pass on some of this common sense knowledge and, in doing so, help our customers.' The estimating tool on the CD is simple to update via the Internet so the pricing information and useful contact details remain current.

As a result, customers may be happy to treat estimates produced using the Vision CD as a quotation; so confident is the company in the new tool.

Such quotations can even include fitting costs and enclosure accessories such as nineteen-inch swing frames and mounting plates.

'The Sarel philosophy has always been to think outside-in,' explained Walker.

'If you address the external packaging needs of, for instance, CCTV, datacomms or trackside control equipment, early enough in the process, you can save money later on.

Equally, if you start by considering the needs of what the enclosure has to protect, the end result can be much closer to the brief than it otherwise might have been.'