Description
The VpCI®-101 device is Cortec’s self-stick foam emitter for non-ventilated control boxes, cabinets and tool boxes: a 3″ × 1¼″ × ¼″ patented foam device impregnated with vapor-phase corrosion inhibitor that protects up to 1 ft³ (28 L) of enclosed volume for up to 24 months. Peel the backing, press it to a clean spot inside the enclosure, note the date on the built-in label, and the terminals, relays, contacts and housings inside stay corrosion-free during operation, shipping or storage with no spraying, wiping or dipping.
The VpCI-101 is dual action, desiccant and VpCI, and the molecules do not interfere with electrical, optical or mechanical performance, so it can sit next to sensitive electronics. It works in polluted and humid environments and against salt, H2S, SO2 and NH3, protects multiple metals, and is free of nitrites, silicones and phosphates. It is accepted by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency for indirect food contact and carries NSN 6850-01-338-1392. In the Cortec Product Consultation Guide emitter devices are rated 1, enclosed: they work inside a closed housing, not on an open frame. A VpCI-101 replaces periodic contact-cleaner sprays and silica-gel packs in small panels, instrument cases and hand-held battery devices.
Typical applications
- Operating, packaged and stored electrical equipment
- Control boxes, cabinets and motor control centers
- Marine navigation and communication equipment
- Aerospace electrical controls
- Electric motors and switching equipment
- Fuse boxes, power boxes, wireways and terminal boxes
- Medical, scientific and measuring instruments
- Telecommunications equipment and remote electronic devices
- Tool boxes, parts storage and other containers holding metal
How to use VpCI-101
- Install early. Fit the device at the earliest possible time, preferably during manufacturing or assembly, before corrosion has started.
- Size the dose. One device per 1 ft³ (28 L) of enclosure volume; a 12″ × 12″ × 12″ junction box takes one, a 24″ × 24″ × 12″ panel (4 ft³) takes four, or step up to one VpCI-105 (5 ft³) or VpCI-111 (11 ft³). Spread multiple devices around the enclosure.
- Pick and clean the spot. Choose a surface inside the enclosure out of the way of moving parts and heat; verify it is clean and free of debris. The device can be installed in any position.
- Peel and stick. Remove the individual wrapper, peel the protective strip from the back and press the device firmly to the surface. Fill in the self-stick date label.
- Close the enclosure. The VpCI vapor fills the housing within about a day and condenses as a molecular layer on every metal surface, including recesses a spray cannot reach. Protection is continuous for up to 24 months during operation or shutdown.
- Replace on a schedule. If the enclosure is not totally airtight, or the access doors are opened frequently, replace the device more often than every two years; replace it after any period of heavy maintenance.
- Add a light spray if wanted. For additional protection mist the enclosure very lightly with ElectriCorr VpCI-238 (indoor) or VpCI-239 (outdoor).
- Store unused devices wrapped. Each device is individually wrapped; keep them sealed until installation.
Cortec’s emitter formats for enclosures:
| Product | Format | Protects | Packaging |
|---|---|---|---|
| VpCI-101 | 3″ × 1¼″ × ¼″ self-stick foam device | 1 ft³ (28 L) | 50 per carton |
| VpCI-105 | 2¼″ dia × ¾″ Tyvek-membrane cup, self-stick | 5 ft³ (142 L) | 20 per carton |
| VpCI-111 | 2¼″ dia × 1¼″ Tyvek-membrane cup, self-stick | 11 ft³ (312 L) | 10 per carton |
| VpCI-170 | 20′ × 2″ × ¼″ adhesive foam tape | 1 ft³ per linear inch | 1 roll per carton |
Combining with other VpCI packaging
In a mothballing or export package the emitter handles the electrical section while the rest of the machine is covered by the packaging line: VpCI-132 foam pads or BioPad in the mechanical voids, VpCI-308 or EcoPouch powder pouches in tanks and pipe, MilCorr or VpCI-126 HP UV shrink film outside for outdoor storage, and a VpCI-126 bag indoors. Cortec’s published outdoor-storage recipe for heavy equipment is exactly this: MilCorr shrink wrap with VpCI-105 or VpCI-111 emitters placed inside near the electrical components. For panels that also need cleaning, ElectriCorr VpCI-238 (indoor) or VpCI-239 (outdoor) is the companion spray.
Where it fits in the Cortec line
Choose the emitter by enclosure volume: VpCI-101 for boxes up to 1 ft³, VpCI-105 to 5 ft³, VpCI-111 to 11 ft³, and several units or VpCI-170 foam tape (1 ft³ per inch) for large cabinets. The 1″ VpCI-133 adhesive square (0.25 ft³) covers the smallest housings. All of these are rated 1, enclosed, in the consultation guide and are meant for closed housings; for packaged parts rather than live equipment the VpCI-130 series foams, BioPad and Cor-Pak pouches are the usual choice. Browse the full Cortec VpCI line or the VpCI product selection guide.
Field notes
Saudi oilfield equipment packed for 12 months to a turbine OEM’s specification used one VpCI-101 device per non-ventilated control box, cabinet or toolbox of about 1 ft³. (Cortec Case History #765)
An Oklahoma and Texas surplus pipeline-valve dealer stores inventory from weeks to years, including 30 to 42 inch trunnion ball valves over 40,000 lb outdoors. Since late 2020 each valve gets a VpCI-105 or VpCI-111 emitter sized to its internal volume, EcoAir VpCI-337 sprayed on all internal surfaces, openings covered with VpCI-126 Blue, and the giants custom VpCI-126 HP UV bags. (Cortec Case History #762)
A Minnesota township refurbished four buried 8 by 10 foot steel lift stations, 40 to 50 years old and reached through 15 to 20 foot tubes that trap humidity: wire brush, power wash and fan dry, VpCI-387 on the walls, VpCI-396 on the floor, and VpCI emitters hung in the housing and inside the electrical panels. (Cortec Case History #274)
Specifications
| Protects | Up to 1 cubic foot (28 L) per device |
|---|---|
| Protection period | Up to 24 months during operation and/or shutdown |
| Metals | Multimetal (ferrous and non-ferrous) |
| Function | VpCI emitter with desiccant action |
| Construction | Patented foam device with adhesive backing; individually wrapped |
| Device size | 3″ × 1¼″ × ¼″ (7.6 × 3.2 × 0.6 cm) |
| Composition | Free of nitrites, silicones and phosphates; non-toxic |
| Effective against | Salt, moisture, airborne contaminants, H2S, SO2, NH3 |
| Listings | NSN #6850-01-338-1392; accepted by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency for indirect food contact |
| Consultation guide rating | 1 – enclosed (control boxes, cabinets, housings) |
| Installation | Peel and stick, any position; self-stick date label |
| Replacement | Every 2 years; sooner if the enclosure is not airtight or is opened often, and after heavy maintenance |
| Storage | Keep sealed in original packaging, indoors, out of direct sunlight, 40–100 °F (4–38 °C); shelf life 2 years |
| Size | 50 individually wrapped devices per carton |
| Shipping weight | 1 lb (0.5 kg) |
| Availability | In stock |
| Cortec product number | 15000007 |
Solvent Recycling Systems is an authorized Cortec® distributor. See the full Cortec VpCI line, browse the VpCI product selection guide, or contact us for volume pricing and lead times.
