Can you help me build a GracePort®?

Our part number system to build a GracePort makes sense…to us. It only takes a full-time employee 3 months of hard-core studying to learn the ins and outs of our numbering system. Okay, just joking. It doesn’t really take that long, but it can seem like it sometimes. Truth be told, it takes only a few minutes to figure out about 95% of our part numbers. So, here are some quick steps to help you.

There are only five questions you need ask to successfully build your GracePort. They are:

1. What type of power, if any, do you need?
2. What NEMA rating or UL Type do you need?
3. Do you need a Circuit Breaker?
4. What applications (interface codes) do you need?
5. What size of housing is required?

Okay, let's get started. First, you'll need to be familar with our set up. All GracePorts start with a "P-" The "P-" indicates GracePort. The section between the first and second dashes are for your applications or interface codes. We'll get to that later. The section between the second and third dashes are for your housing size; Nema rating or UL Type; Power Option; and Circuit Breaker. Check out this example setup:
P-Interface Codes – Housing Size, Nema Rating / UL Type, Power Option, Breakers

Okay, first things first. Locate your Grace Engineered Products catalog. If you don’t have a catalog and would like one send a request to sales@grace-eng.com. Put “Catalog request” in the subject line and include your mailing information in the body. So, here are some quick steps to help you:

1. Power or No Power? Inside the cover of your catalog is the GracePort® Part Guide. Once you have this, you’ll want to determine what kind of power you’ll need, if any.

• Yes, I need power: NFPA 79 indicates that all outlets on an enclosure panel need to have GFCI protection. Your code should be RF.
  Example: P-Interface Codes – Housing Size, Nema Rating / UL Type, RF, Breakers
• No, I don’t need any power. Your code will be RX.
  Example: P-Interface Codes – Housing Size, Nema Rating / UL Type, RX, Breakers

2. NEMA or UL Rating: Next you will need to determine what NEMA Rating or UL Type you will need. We offer 7 different kinds. Here is a quick guide:

• Nema/UL Type 1 = Code 1
• Nema/UL Type 4X = Code 2
• Nema/UL Type 12 = Code 3
• Nema/UL Type 4 = Code 4
• Type 4X 304 Stainless = Code 5
• Type 4X 316 Stainless = Code 6
• Nema 7&9 Explosion Proof = Code 7

Let’s say you want the Nema/UL Type 12. That code is 3, so now look at our example: P-Interface Codes – Housing Size, 3, RF, Breakers

3. Circuit Breaker or No Circuit Breaker? This part is really easy.

• Yes, I need a Circuit Breaker. Okay, enter the amperage of the CB you need in the "Breakers" space of our example. If you need 3 amps then enter 3. If you need 20 then enter 20. Example: P-Interface Codes - Housing Size, 3, RF20.
• No, I don't need a Circuit Breaker. Just enter 0(zero) in the "Breakers" spot. Example: P-Interface Codes - Housing Size, 3, RF0.

4. Now, let’s talk about Interface Codes. This is where it can get hairy, but don’t let it discourage you! We are almost done! There is one thing to remember about this section. All the codes you choose must be put in alphanumeric order.

• Open up your GracePort® Part Guide. There are most of our interface codes available. When you find what you need write it down. Then, put them in order alphanumerically. For this example, I am choosing a Cat 5 Ethernet (R2) and a USB Type A Female to Type A Male (P11). Here’s how our example would look: P-P11R2 – Housing Size, 3, RF20.

5. What size of housing do you need? Now that you have your number almost completed all you have to do now is determine the housing size. Seasoned GracePort® Part Builders still struggle with this because there is no fast and steady rule. But, we will prevail!

• First, look at the green chart on your GracePort® Part Guide. We have both panel mount housings and surface mount housings. The sizes are down the middle. Here is one rule that won’t change: If you have a GFCI (RF power option) then you have to get either a K- or M-sized housing. Here is what our example would look like with that: P-P11R2 – M3RF20
  

That's the gist. After you've built your GracePort®, click here to have it checked by our Inside Sales Department!