EPC-W21X2A Industrial Panel PC features IP65-rated protection, fanless design, multiple industrial interfaces, and low-power Intel® CPUs, integrating an industrial-grade display and embedded computing system into a single, compact unit. Designed for continuous operation in harsh environments, it offers resistance to dust, moisture, vibration, and temperature extremes.
Industrial Panel PCs are widely used as HMIs and control terminals across industries, including manufacturing, food & beverage, chemical processing, pharmaceuticals, energy, transportation, logistics, automation, and smart infrastructure, enabling reliable monitoring, control, and data visualisation in demanding industrial applications.
Introduction
Intel® Core™ i7/i5/i3 processors, compatible from Celeron® to 12th Gen Intel® Core™
Technical FAQ for EPC-W21X2A — 21.5″ Industrial Panel PC
Common questions about the 21.5-inch model and the BlockCore™ platform.
Why choose a 21.5-inch Industrial Panel PC for HMI and SCADA?+
The 21.5-inch Industrial Panel PC delivers the largest widescreen canvas in the W-series, making it the ideal choice for factory central control rooms, multi-operator monitoring stations, and command centers. With Full HD 1920×1080 resolution, the extra screen real estate allows multiple operators to view complex SCADA dashboards, production line status, and process variables simultaneously without scrolling or switching screens. The large touch interface is also optimized for gloved operators and standing viewing distances of 2 meters or more. For space-constrained installations, see our 15.6-inch industrial panel PC series.
What makes the EPC-W21X2A suitable for industrial automation?+
The EPC-W21X2A features a fanless aluminum alloy enclosure, front-panel IP65 waterproof protection, dual Intel® I210 Gigabit LAN, 6×COM ports (4×RS232 + 2×RS485), multiple USB ports (2×USB 2.0 + 4×USB 3.0), and 9–36V wide voltage input with SafeCore™ power-loss protection. These industrial-grade features ensure reliable 24/7 operation in factory automation, smart manufacturing, central control rooms, energy management systems, and mission-critical SCADA deployments.
What processors are available for the EPC-W21X2A?+
The system supports scalable performance across four families: Celeron J1900/J6412 (entry-level, low-power control and display tasks), 10th Gen Core i3/i5/i7 (balanced industrial workloads), and 12th Gen Core i3/i5/i7 (high-performance for data-intensive SCADA, industrial AI visualization, and real-time analytics). All share the same enclosure, I/O layout, and mounting dimensions — thanks to BlockCore™ modular design. All W-series models use the same i-Core Board interface, so processor selection is independent of screen size.
How does BlockCore™ improve lifecycle flexibility and upgrades?+
CESIPC’s proprietary BlockCore™ modular architecture separates the compute core from the display system. This allows CPU upgrades without changing the panel structure or mounting dimensions. Upgrading from a Celeron J1900 to a 12th Gen Core i7 requires only swapping the compute board — the 21.5-inch enclosure, touchscreen, I/O expansion, and mounting remain identical. The same platform architecture is shared across our 13.3-inch, 15.6-inch, and 18.5-inch industrial panel PC series, simplifying standardization across production lines and reducing spare parts inventory.
Does EPC-W21X2A support wireless communication (4G/Wi-Fi)?+
Yes. The system supports optional 4G LTE full-network connectivity and Wi-Fi/Bluetooth via M.2 2230 expansion slots. This makes it ideal for remote monitoring, distributed SCADA nodes, outdoor automation stations, and IIoT edge deployments where wired Ethernet is unavailable. The dual M.2 2280 NVMe slots also allow high-speed storage expansion for data logging and historical trend recording.
What protection does SafeCore™ provide, and why does it matter?+
SafeCore™ is CESIPC’s power-loss protection technology. It guards the operating system against file corruption during sudden power failure. Combined with auto power-on recovery (when power returns), it ensures continuous uptime for mission-critical automation systems — such as central SCADA servers, pharmaceutical batch control, chemical plant monitoring, and energy grid management — where unexpected downtime can cause production loss or safety risks.
What is the IP65 rating, and is this model suitable for washdown environments?+
The front panel is IP65-rated — fully dust-tight and protected against low-pressure water jets. This makes the EPC-W21X2A suitable for factory floors, machine tools, control rooms, and food packaging areas that are cleaned with gentle hose-downs or regular wipe-downs. For high-pressure, high-temperature washdown environments (e.g., meat processing or dairy, where daily steam or chemical washdown is required at 80°C and 80–100 bar), you would need an IP69K-rated stainless steel panel PC like our WPC/IP69K series.
What mounting options and operating temperatures are available?+
The EPC-W21X2A supports wall-mount and VESA mount (75×75 / 100×100). Standard operating temperature is 0~50°C, with an optional wide-temperature range of -40~70°C for cold storage, outdoor kiosks, or extreme environment applications. For the exact cutout dimensions and weight of the 21.5-inch model, please contact our sales engineering team for the detailed mechanical drawing.
Can CESIPC provide OEM/ODM customization (BIOS, logo, I/O)?+
Yes. CESIPC offers full OEM/ODM services including: BIOS configuration and boot logo branding, I/O panel customization (e.g., additional COM ports or isolation), private label packaging, and even anti-corrosion surface treatment for aluminum panels in humid environments. With in-house sheet metal and SMT factories, CESIPC specializes in delivering high-performance, reliable, and customizable industrial computing solutions. Minimum order quantities and lead times vary by scope. Contact our engineering team for a detailed ODM assessment.
How does the EPC-W21X2A compare with other sizes in the W-series?+
All W-series models share the same BlockCore™ compute platform, I/O (6×COM, dual GbE LAN, USB 2.0×2 + USB 3.0×4), and processor options. The differences are purely physical: 21.5-inch (W21X2A) offers the largest viewable area, ideal for central control rooms and multi-operator stations. 18.5-inch (W18X2A) provides a balance of large-screen visibility and moderate footprint for dedicated SCADA workstations (471.6×291.9mm, 8.1kg). 15.6-inch (W15X2A) is the most popular size for machine-side HMIs and control cabinet integration (404.2×253.5mm, 6.1kg). 13.3-inch (W13X2A) is the most compact for space-constrained installations (345.2×215.6mm, 4.1kg). Choose based on your viewing distance, control room space, operator headcount, and panel cutout size. Pro tip: Because all models share the same compute platform, you can standardize on one processor SKU across all four sizes, reducing both engineering validation costs and spare parts inventory.
Would you like to know how to choose the right industrial PC, including factors such as display size, mounting method, and front-panel waterproof rating? These considerations are especially important in hygiene-critical industries such as food & beverage and chemical processing, where frequent cleaning and disinfectants can gradually corrode aluminum front panels.
To meet these requirements, our solutions include not only stainless steel enclosures but also anti-corrosion surface treatments for aluminum front panels. In many cases, success or failure depends on attention to detail. Our team is well aware of these potential pitfalls and understands which aspects require special attention. We are committed to helping you select the most suitable Panel PC for your application.