This may not be the most widely applicable solution in the world, but
I have our spectrometer and its computer plugged into a UPS with an
internal ambient temperature sensor. I made a few modifications to
the open source "apcupsd" program so that if the temperature exceeds
a configurable set point, everything gets automatically powered down.
Of course, this might have unfortunate side effects if there was
an experiment running at the time (particularly if a sample was in the
process of being loaded or unloaded just then). I'm still pondering
the best solution to that problem.
-Steve Peurifoy
Keeper of the NMR
Chemistry Department
Millersville University of Pennsylvania
On Thu, 2012-08-02 at 13:59 -0400, Matthew Revington wrote:
> I was wondering what controls/alerts other NMR facilities have in
> place for air conditioning breakdowns etc. Yesterday our physical
> plant people for hundred and first time shut down the building air
> conditioning for an emergency repair and did not notify us. I have an
> air conditioning unit in the NMR room but it is not sufficient to cool
> on a hot day when the overall building air is down so the room
> temperature crept up close to 80F. This is not a big deal when I am
> around during the week and can shut down the instruments when the
> temperature gets too high but on weekends it could be a serious
> problem. I am negotiating with the Physical Plant people to get put
> on their email notification list but even if they do so it is not
> completely reliable and will mean I will also be notified of every
> plugged toilet and burned out light bulb on campus. I have been
> looking at computer connected temperature sensors like this:
>
>
> http://www.picotech.com/data-logging-software.html
> http://www.picotech.com/applications/pt100.html
>
>
> Apparently the software can be set up to send emails if the
> temperature vaues goes out of preset range.
> Does anyone have experience with this type of sensor or have other
> suggestions?
> Thanks
>
> Matthew Revington
> NMR Facility Manager,
> Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry
> University of Windsor
> 519-253-3000 Ext 3997
Received on Fri Aug 03 2012 - 10:53:29 MST