Rack box

From uCtrl.net

Contents 1 Information 1.1 Videos 2 Modules 2.1 Status panel 2.2 Obsolete 3 Power 3.1 Supplies 4 Images

Information

The rack box is the center for many of the modules I build, inside is the controlling units for lights, heat, stack light, fan, sound alarms and serial communication. The rack box is a 19" standard rack box, even though very few of the modules inside are standard. The construction is in steel and everything is grounded, this gives good protection from radio frequent noise. 220V is connected to the rack box through a net filter, this is distributed to four power supplies; 5, 12, 13.8 and 24 volt.

All fuses, power supplies and modules are monitored and the rack box will sound an alarm if anything should fail. Many of the modules inside are surveillance and monitoring units, and not actively in use. This is true for e.g. MMU, MSMU2 and SLCU. Four DB-9 connectors supplies the rack box with signals from the outside. In addition to that, multiple serial cables run to modules like OMU2 and OSID.

The rack box has an emergency shutdown function that cuts the main power to the system, this has to be triggered manually from either the status panel or inside the box. In the future modules like a smoke detector could trigger the emergency shutdown automatically. EMG controls the emergency function, it's 12V power supply is not influenced by the emergency shutdown. An external power supply is used for detecting total power loss, this supply is also monitored by MMU.

Today the rack box is getting crowded, with now over 15 modules. I'm installing more and more modules on-site with battery eliminators and internal voltage regulators. This is true for e.g. Light sensor, Mood light controller and Mood light.

Videos

• Project Rack with AVR micro controller #1
• Project Rack with AVR micro controller #2
• AVR projects slide show

Modules

ALU	ASIM	DEIM	EMG
FTU	LCU	SLCU	MICU
MMU	MPM1	MSMU2	OMU2
OSID	OSU

Status panel

RSP (Rack Status Panel) has LEDs for pretty much every situation that can occur in the rack box. Lights, alarms, fan, mute etc. can also be controlled from the panel. Emergency shutdown can both be triggered and reset from RSP. It's made of a desk box with a aluminum front plate, this is stiff and provides and does not bend when buttons are pushed.

The panel is connected to the rack box using three contacts, one 9-, 25- and 37 pins D-sub cable. If one of the cables are disconnected or the fuse burns out the alarm will sound, the panel is monitored by MPM1. DEIM is installed inside the status panel and connected to the computer using a DB9 serial cable. All voltages (5, 13.8 and 24) is available via lab plugs. The alarm (ALU) can be activated/deactivated using the key. When the alarm, or away mode is active all LEDs are turned off and none of the buttons work.

Obsolete

• Fuse box 2
• Module stability monitoring unit 1
• Online monitoring unit 1
• Parallel I/O module
• Parallel I/O module/Extension
• Sound signal unit

Power

The rack box alone without any alarm, lights etc. has a power consumption of 13 watts. When the stack lights or the interior light is on the power consumption rises to about 20 watts. The rack box is protected with a net filter and a UPS, the UPS prevents the system from going offline if a power loss occurs.

Supplies

• 5V - 20 amps, electronics, AVRs, LED lights, etc.
• 12V - 2.5 amps, emergency supply (EMG and DEIM).
• 13.8V - 4.5 amps, lights, relays, electronics, etc.
• 24V - 2.3 amps, relays, warning lights.

An external 12V power supply is used for detecting total power loss, meaning that the system is running on battery backup (UPS).

UPS	220V net filter	220V main fuses	FB1
Main fuses

Images

Rack box 13. April 09	Rack box 13. April 09	Rack box 13. April 09	Rack box 07.February 09
Entire closet 15.November 08	Closet lower part 15.November 08	Rack box 10.march 08	Rack box 10.march 08
Rack box 10.march 08	Rack box 10.march 08	Rack box 17.april 07	Rack box 17.april 07
Rack box 17.april 07	Rack box 17.april 07	Rack box 27.april 07	Rack box
Rack box	Rack box	Rack box 09.sept 09	Rack box
Rack box	Rack box	Rack box	Rack box 16. may 06
Rack box 16. may 06	Rack box 08. april 06	Rack box 21. april 06	Rack box 21. april 06
Rack box 21. april 06	Rack box	Rack box	Rack box
Before the installation of the Rack box	Before the installation of the Rack box	Before the installation of the Rack box