Environmentally hardened ethernet switch

Abstract

A device for hardening an Ethernet switch is disclosed. The device provides cooling for the switch, and, suppresses electrical transients and electromagnetic interference, which could affect the power supply, and data transmission of the Ethernet switch. Using tills device, the Ethernet switch can be used in harsh industrial environments, such as those present in power utility substations.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed is defined as follows:  
     
         1 . In an Ethernet switch for use in an electrical power utility substation, a device for cooling the switch comprising: 
 a thermoelectric cooling element having a first surface for thermally contacting a component in the Ethernet switch, and, a second surface for thermally contacting a heat sink, said thermoelectric cooling element transferring heat from the first surface to the second surface in response to a current applied to the thermoelectric cooling element;    a control block for applying the current to the thermoelectric cooling element when the temperature of the Ethernet switch exceeds a predetermined range.    
     
     
         2 . In an Ethernet switch for use in an electrical power utility substation, a transient suppression device for suppressing electrical interference to a power supply of the Ethernet switch, said device comprising: 
 an input connectable to the external power connector;    an output connectable to a power input for the Ethernet switch;    at least one varistor connected in parallel with the input and output;    at least one tranzorb connected in parallel across the input and output;    at least one capacitor connected in parallel with the input and output.    
     
     
         3 . The device as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the heat sink has a portion external to the Ethernet switch.  
     
     
         4 . The device as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the heat sink has a portion external to the electrical power utility substation.