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Recommends various computer peripherals, softwares and internet connections. EasyPhoto Reader scanner from Storm Technology; SoundBullet internal modem from E-Tech Research; Golf: The Ultimate Collection software from SegaSoft; SurgeArrest Notebook surge protector from American Power Conversion; PrintMaster Gold Classic software from Mindscape.

The article reports updates like new editions and amendments related to the global power-line immunity and emission standards for various electrical equipment such as household appliances, medical products, lighting products and handheld products. It explains the power-line disturbances like voltage fluctuations and harmonic emissions and provides information in an effort to design and market electrical products in such a way so as to meet the standard of immunity and emissions.

Offers a look at the circuit-protection devices for electronic devices. Safety requirements for fuses; Circuit protection chips from Wickmann USA and Raychem Circuit Protection; Features of the chips.

Presents information on the snapSHOT EMI, a metallized thermoformed plastic shield from W. L. Gore & Associates. Insulation on snapShot shield; Advantage of metallized thermoformed plastic shield over metal shields; Characteristics of the shield that original equipment manufacturers are looking for.

Focuses on the results of several hands-on tests of various circuit-protection devices. Characteristics of overcurrent- and overvoltage-protection devices; Polymer-based resettable fuses; Metal-oxide varistors; Transient-voltage-suppressor arrays.

The article focuses on the newly developed charger with thermal regulation for lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries. It notes that this charger has input overvoltage protection (OVP), which alleviates thermal concerns while maximizing the charge rate and it allows only authorized adapters, improving system safely. Moreover, operating details of this newly developed battery charger are discussed.

The article presents best practice guidelines in engineering design related to the protection of electric apparatus from lightning transient currents. Designers need to possess an understanding of fundamentals such as gauge, lugs, bonding, wire, and grounding resistance. A diagram is presented that details mounting configurations for the installation of in-line protectors.

Examines factors that contribute to the changes in the design of transient protection for portable electronic equipment. Proliferation of portable products that run at lower voltages and consume less power; Higher data rates on low-voltage lines requiring lower capacitance for signal integrity; Surge specifications; Challenges in selection the type of transient protection devices to use.

Evaluates the Back-UPS Office, an uninterrupted power supply device from American Power Conversion. Number of outlets; Lack of power for larger computers; Cost; Contact information.

The author reflects on the condition of various line drivers in the market. He declares that drivers are vital components in the signal chain and acts as the interface between a sourcing circuit or transducer, and a load circuit or device. Although several manufacturers are developing several drivers such as line drivers, motor drivers and piezo drivers, The author believes that drivers still get little respect because they don't serve a conventional signal-processing function.

The article introduces the first electrostatic-discharge protection chip IP4776CZ38 developed by Royal Philips Electronics NV. It is designed to support the recently released version 1.3 of the High Definition Multimedia Interface (DMI) specification. The product delivers up to 8 kilovolts of ESD (electrostatic discharge) protection in contact mode for four HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) transmission channels.

The article focuses on the Pulsed Arrested Spark Discharge (PASD), a diagnostic spark from Sandia National Laboratories. PASD enables engineers to pinpoint the location of future short circuits before they occur. According to Larry Schneider, an electric engineer at Sandia National Laboratory, a 10,000 to 15,000-volt, 200-amp test signal would fry any electronics under test, but when it only lasts 10 nanoseconds, it cannot damage wiring systems. Performance of wiring harnesses is improved by the PASD pulses.

The article evaluates the encapsulated ac/dc modules from Bear Power Products Inc. and key features include a line regulation, overvoltage protection and operating temperature range.

The article presents information on overvoltage protection (OVP) modules from Weidmuller Inc. which are designed to safeguard industrial Ethernet devices from voltage and current surges. These modules can be used between network nodes and connected in series with Ethernet switches, routers and media converters. The Ethernet OVP modules can be utilized both inside and outside control-panel cabinets that do not require an IP67 protection rating and are available in DIN-rail and wall-mounted versions.

The article evaluates the ATO and ATM fuses from Waytek Inc., and offers information on their styles, price and uses.

The article presents information on point-of-load systems. Cherokee International Corp.'s CAR1212 low-profile front end is designed for compact 12-volt distributed power architectures, including networking equipment and midlevel to high-end servers. The 1U-high system delivers more than 100 amps to support 12-V bus architectures that power point-of-load converters for low to midpower datacom systems. The rectifier is protected against input over and undervoltage and output overvoltage, overtemperature and overcurrent.

This article informs that Power-One Inc.'s 30-amp SQE series of eighth-brick converters emphasizes its superior thermal performance. Operating efficiency is as high as 91 percent at full load. The output voltage trim range is +10/-20 percent. The mean time between failure rate exceeds 15 million hours, calculated per Telecordia TR-332. Other things include a wide input range, on-board input differential LC filter, remote sense, and start-up capability into pre-biased loads. The SQE series, which is in the company's SemiQ family, is protected against input undervoltage, output overcurrent and overvoltage and overtemperature.

The article reports that CITEL Inc. has manufactured a complete line of surge arrester gas tubes from 75V to 2500V available in surface mount (SMT) and through hole versions, regular and miniature size. They are ideal to protect any telecom, alarm, medical and instrumentation equipment against electrical transients and lightning surges.

The article informs that Lambda's DPP series of DIN rail-mount power supplies provides a low-power source for chemical-processing, automotive and instrumentation applications. With the emphasis on economy, the supplies, in rugged plastic cases, are available in eight models and three package sizes, delivering 15 to 100 watts at 5, 12, 15, 24 or 48 volts. Features include a line and load regulation of less than 0.5 percent and low ripple and noise. Rated efficiency is 78 to 87 percent, depending on the model. The supplies are protected against overload and overvoltage conditions.

This article presents a list of design rules that are unique to ultrawideband (UWB) systems and that are not necessarily obvious to those who are accustomed to traditional narrowband or wideband communications and radar systems. These design rules are: Examine the transient impulse response of impulse-based UWB (I-UWB) antennas; Calculate link budgets by using the signal transmission form built around the antenna's realized effective length; Reduce the fading margin in the link-budget design; Consider the proximity and strength of narrowband interferers when deploying I-UWB systems to ensure that the bit error rate of the system is within a tolerable range.

Reports on the plan of Dutch company, Cavendish Kinetics NV, to introduce a licensable intellectual property for an electronically settable fuse. Features of the microelectromechanical system product; Plan of the company to make CMOS-compatible one-time programmable and reprogrammable memories.

Introduces M/A-Com's MASWSS0115 gallium arsenide switch. Areas of application; Capabilities and functions; Availability and pricing.

Evaluates Wickmann's Polyfuse HVR600 resettable fuses. Principle of operation; Design specification; Availability and pricing.

Reports on the launch of overcurrent-protection switches and devices by California Micro Devices Corp. which offer multiple ports for notebook and desktop computers. Evaluation of device reliability and features; Specifications; Applications.

Introduces Liebert Corp.'s PowerSure Surge II surge suppressor family. Applications of each series in the PowerSure family; Key features; Pricing; Contact information.

Reports on the addition of the JB series low profile, washable tactile switches to the products line of NKK Switches as of July 2002. Description of the product; Ways in which the switches can be mounted; Availability and cost of the switches.

Evaluates the Raychem line of miniSMD PolySwitch resettable fuses from Tyco Electronics. Dimensions of the fuses; Applications of the device; On-board resistance features; Prices of the fuses.

The article offers information on the momentary switch which is significant in replacing a latching power switch. It outlines the features of the switch including its foolproof protection and the ability to switch itself off and in handling electric power. A diagram that shows the one-pole load isolation is also offered.

Evaluates various Plug n Play (PnP) devices, legacy SCSI and network adapters. Features of the American Power Conversion (APC) Back-UPS Pro 650 UPS; Performance of the APC UPS and Windows 95 computer operating system combination; Testing of an EtherEZ 10Base-T network adapter from Standard Microsystems Corp.; Features of the Future Domain PNP-1640 SCSI controller.

Examines the impact of the El Nino phenomenon on power surge protection. Precipitation patterns disrupted by the phenomenon; Increased frequency of power outages.

Describes the power surge protection gift package offered by American Power Conversion. SurgeArrest surge suppressors; SurgeArrest with telephone line protection.

Relates the author's experiences in using the SurgeArrest power surge protectors developed by American Power Conversion. Savings made by using the devices; Power outages experienced.

Relates the author's experiences in using the SurgeArrest power surge protectors developed by American Power Conversion. Quality of the product; Benefits.

Introduces the Network SurgeArrest Rack-mount power surge protective equipment from the American Power Conversion. Configuration included in the product.

Introduces the Back-UPS PRO, a battery backup uninterruptible power supply for Windows 98 from American Power Conversion. Features of the desktop; Module variations; Capabilities of the product.

Reports the unveiling of three resettable fuses for protecting Universal Serial Bus (USB) ports in computers against short circuits and overcurrent conditions from Raychem Corporation's Poly-Swtich unit. MiniSMDCO75; MiniSMDC110; MiniSMDC260; Features and capabilities of the resettable fuses.

Focuses on American Power Conversion's APC Back-UPS Office computer peripheral. Features; Product support; Price; Contact information.

Features American Power Conversion Back-UPS Pro 280 computer peripheral. Site-wiring fault alert feature; Bundled PowerChute Pro software; Contact information.

Describes the power management device APC Back-UPS Pro 280 from American Power Conversion.

Presents information on the proper use of the Back-UPS Office uninterrupted power supply from American Power Conversion. Charging of the device prior to the first use; Leaving the UPS on to maintain the battery charge; Avoidance of sharing the circuit with other appliances.

The article presents a circuit design that protects outputs against overvoltage. The conventional way to accomplish overvoltage protection is to add series resistors with the output node along with the clamping diodes to power-supply rails or other voltages. The alternative approach is to use fuses or other current-limiting devices, which precede these clamps' high energy-absorption capability.

The article describes a circuit design that functions as a circuit breaker to both overcurrent and overvoltage fault conditions. According to the author, the circuit draws no current from the supply in its normal current from the supply in its normal untripped state. Some of the components needed include 431, transistors, diodes, and resistors. An schematic diagram which details the end-to-end connections of electronic components for creating this circuit is presented.

Discusses the importance of channel protector in data acquisition and computers systems. Ability of channel protector to protect sensitive circuitry from voltage transients; Clamping of overvoltage transients to a safe level; Diagram showing voltages and MOSFET states during positive-overvoltage events.

Introduces several electric switches. C&K Rafix 22FS Series Switches by ITT Industries; Carling Technologies LD-Series Dimmer Control; Phoenix Contact Safety Relays.

Provides information on several devices for electric circuit protection. Advantages of polymer-based positive temperature coefficient (PTC); Differences between PTC and fuses.

The article provides information on a new thermal protector from Thermik Corp. that trips in less than 1 msec. Many thermal protectors are current-sensitive and, because the current passes through the bimetal, they trip prematurely. In this switch, the bimetallic disc does not contact the snap-action disc or the housing. The current bypasses the bimetallic disc, and therefore, disc reacts to temperature instead of current. Automatic reset versions re-establish contact when the disc's temperature falls 30C before trip temperature.

The article reports that a self-protecting motor controller by Klockner Moeller provides continuity of service and a high level of protection for almost all induction motors. The PKZ 2-SP combination controller or starter is designed to reduce downtime for PLC-controlled, fully automatic processing plants. The unit performs motor disconnect, motor control, overload protection and self-protection under fault conditions. It also protects against branch circuit, short circuit, and ground faults. The unit interrupts faults within its range while protecting itself against damage, such as contactor welding.

The article discusses the significance of power supply decoupler in protecting unit under test (UUT) against accidental overvoltage and reverse polarity. It states that the decoupler draws power from the power supply and pulsed a five-volt, two-coil latching relay to interrupt power to the load under abnormal conditions. It also provides an overview of the function of a power supply decoupler.

The article offers tips for noise reduction when a good shielding techniques cannot keep noise from affecting measurements. It states that a spectrum analyzer cant be used to help in identifying noise amplitudes and frequencies. It advises separating digital and analog grounds and using a single-point ground or cluster ground connections to eradicate ground loops. It notes that connectors should be kept clean.

The article discusses tips concerning cable shielding. It cites the Audio Engineering Society's (AES) AES48-2005 standard which covers grounding and electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) and provides useful shielding information. It highlights insights from Henry W. Ott, an EMC consultant about cable shielding and points out that the purpose of grounding shield is to provide magnetic field protection.