Green Initiatives - continued

MPA - Mini Power Amplifiers

Another way to save energy is to choose products that are the right size and offer the right capability for the job. A good example of this is our MPA Series power amplifiers. These amplifiers are right-sized and right-powered, designed specifically to meet the audio amplification needs of typical classrooms and small conference rooms. The traditional approach for this type of installation would be to use a much larger amplifier, opting for power overhead without serious regard for space, energy usage, or heat generation.

The Extron MPA 401 and the MPA 152 amplifiers use an Improved Class D design, which not only runs cooler and more efficient than traditional Class D designs, but also has less distortion - negating the need for excessive power overhead. These amplifiers also require less power and generate less heat which impacts rack cooling, and ultimately HVAC load.

CrossPoint Ultra 128HV

Thermal management plays a crucial role in both product lifespan and energy savings. Efficient enclosure design and, in particular, power supply choice, can drastically cut down on heat generation within a rack and power consumption as it relates to the product itself and the air conditioning needed within the equipment room. CrossPoint Ultra, our new generation of ultra-wideband matrix switchers, uses a single, highly efficient, cool-running power supply, allowing for a fan-free enclosure. Effective convection cooling for such a powerful matrix switcher requires a mature design built from refined system

architecture. The CrossPoint Ultra represents Extron’s 5th generation of CrossPoint design and technological development, and incorporates a selection of high-quality, long-life electronic components. Fewer circuit boards and cables inside the CrossPoint Ultra translate to better cooling potential as well as fewer points of failure. Such careful component selection and energy-efficient design yields a matrix switcher that draws only 30 watts at 120 VAC under full load, less than a standard desk lamp. Low power consumption means less heat generation – only 109 BTU/hr, which translates to a lower cost of ownership and an increased product lifespan.

New New Energy Star ® Qualified Power Supplies

We recently introduced a new line of Extron-designed and manufactured ENERGY STAR qualified power supplies. While most manufacturers purchase off-the-shelf power supplies which can be subject to variations in quality and reliability, we designed our own, ensuring Extron quality throughout. These highly efficient power supplies draw less than one watt under no-load conditions, and are more than twice as efficient when actively transmitting power. This efficiency significantly reduces heat generation, which greatly adds to the power supply’s lifespan. With an MTBF of 400,000 hours - that’s 45 years, these new power supplies are built to last ten times longer than previous models. Longer lifespan also means less packaging and fewer discarded power supplies over the long run.

Energy-Saving Tools for the Long Run: Extron GlobalViewer ® and IP Link

When conference room and classroom displays, projectors, lights, and other devices are left on when not in use, the wasted electrical and maintenance costs are signifi cant. Extron’s free, Web-based A/V resource management application, GlobalViewer, works in conjunction with our IP Link Ethernet control technology to provide remote monitoring and control of projectors, displays, VCRs, DVD players, and other devices over a standard TCP/IP network.

With this powerful hardware, software, and Web application combination, a technology administrator can schedule devices and room lights to turn on and off, and even automatically turn off all devices of a particular type at the end of each day. But GlobalViewer can do much more than turn equipment on and off. It can schedule window shades to be drawn during the heat of the day to cut down on air conditioning costs, and facilitate help-desk tasks by providing remote volume control and input selection. It can also aid in proactive maintenance tasks by displaying projector lamp hours and by sending email alerts for lamp replacement and filter cleaning.

GlobalViewer's remote management capability means tech support personnel can rapidly troubleshoot and fix problems online for a large number of rooms. This not only saves time, but significantly cuts fuel costs associated with driving across college or corporate campuses.

We're Here to Help

Extron is putting considerable effort into building meaningful initiatives that benefit the environment and our customers as well. We have changed our manufacturing standards to meet or surpass all applicable environmental regulations; we continue to design energy-saving products such as our new line of ENERGY STAR qualified XTRA amplifiers and CrossPoint Ultra matrix switchers; and we offer free A/V resource management software that allows for continuous, remote monitoring and control of A/V systems and other devices from a one-person help desk.
With all of this going on, customer communication remains a crucial element to this initiative’s continued success. We encourage you to call our staff of professionals who are ready to help guide you in your specific energy-saving purchasing decisions. Please call your Extron Sales Representative or send us an email at energy@extron.com
* ENERGY STAR  applies solely to products used in residential applications at this time.