Kontron SBC-845D-VEA, User Manual

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xxv SBC-845D-VEA Single Board Computer User’s Guide
Maintaining Your Computer
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Humidity
High-humidity can cause moisture to enter and accumulate in the system. This moisture can
cause corrosion of internal components and degrade such properties as electrical resistance and
thermal conductivity. Extreme moisture buildup inside the system can result in electrical shorts,
which can cause serious damage to the system.
Buildings in which climate is controlled usually maintain an acceptable level of humidity for
system equipment. However, if a system is located in an unusually humid location, a
dehumidifier can be used to maintain the humidity within an acceptable range. Refer to the
“Specifications” section of this user’s guide for the operating and storage humidity
specifications.
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Altitude
Operating a system at a high altitude (low pressure) reduces the efficiency of the cooling fans to
cool the system. This can cause electrical problems related to arcing and corona effects. This
condition can also cause sealed components with internal pressure, such as electrolytic
capacitors, to fail or perform at reduced efficiency.
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Power Protection
The greatest threats to a system’s supply of power are power loss, power spikes, and power surges
caused by electrical storms, which interrupt system operation and/or damage system
components. To protect your system, always properly ground power cables and one of the
following devices.
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Surge Protector
Surge protectors are available in a variety of types and usually provide a level of protection
proportional with the cost of the device. Surge protectors prevent voltage spikes from entering a
system through the AC power cord. Surge protectors, however, do not offer protection against
brownouts, which occur when the voltage drops more than 20 percent below the normal AC line
voltage level.