How do disturbances and transients get into my
power?
There are two ways that disturbances and transients
can get into your power. The first is through an external factor,
occurring outside your facility and the other is through an internal
factor, occurring inside your facility. Some examples of external
factors can be lightning, utility switching, power factor capacitor
switching and utility faults. Internal factors can be as simple
as fluctuations in your electrical load, along with normal load
cycling.
Even though high voltage transients (external
disturbances) occur less often than internal disturbances, they
are more damaging in that they occur at a higher cost. On the other
hand, internal disturbances may go undetected until the fault.
No matter where the disturbance comes from - external or internal
- it needs to be eliminated before the damage occurs.
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When will I need to replace my
batteries?
Battery life is dependent upon many factors, including
the amount of use they get on a regular basis. It's not just as
simple as saying "I've experienced only 2 outages in the past
2 years so my batteries should be good." Some standby systems
and low-cost line-interactive systems use their batteries more
than you probably realize. Often "battery power" is used
to regulate low or high voltage in these systems. If you are in
an area that is prone to brownouts (low voltage) or surges (high
voltage) your batteries may be used quite often. In contrast, there
are on-line, single conversion systems that have power-conditioning
circuitry as part of the design minimizing the wear and tear on
the batteries. These usually cost a little more but they
can help you achieve higher reliability and longer battery life.
Ambient room temperatures also play a part in battery life. High temperatures
(above 78 degrees Fahrenheit) will cause the batteries to fail earlier than
if in a cooler environment. Systems with temperature compensated chargers adjust
for temperature changes and ensure that the battery bank in your UPS receives
the right amount of charge.
Battery life is also dependent on the quality of the batteries used inside
the UPS. It is advisable when you're comparing UPSs to compare the battery
specifications as well.
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How
do I know what size UPS to buy?
1. Find the amps and the volts on the nameplate
on the back of the computer
2. Multiply the two numbers together
to get VA (voltamps)
3. Add your projected growth and you've
got your size.
Example:
1. 4.5 amps, 120 volts
2. 4.5 amps x 120 volts=540VA
3. For instance, you decide you’re
going to add other peripherals or expanding your hard drive and
your projected growth is 25%.
540VA x 1.25= 675VA
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What is the difference
between single conversion and double conversion?
Single conversion converts AC to DC through a
transformer. UPSs with single conversion technology usually
provide similar levels of voltage regulation and surge protection
as that of double conversion UPSs.
Double conversion takes the incoming AC, converts
it to DC and then back to AC. Power is constantly coming from the
inverter (conversion device) delivering true, uninterruptible power.
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If I have an on-line UPS
protecting my computers, do I still need a surge suppressor in
front of my UPS?
Most true UPSs provide an internal surge suppression
circuit, which is considered a secondary level of protection. However,
this device may expend itself if a surge exceeds 6,000 Volts and
500 Amps (keep in mind a lightning surge can average 35,000 volts).
Therefore, it is recommended to install a primary grade "lightning
arrestor" or transient voltage surge suppression (TVSS) device
upstream from the UPS, preferably at the panel feeding the UPS
and/or at the electrical service entrance to the building.
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What is the difference
between a line interactive UPS and a standby UPS?
Line Interactive UPS contains an off-line inverter
that must turn on during a blackout. This unit provides faster
transfer times than a standby UPS. Power conditioning and surge
suppression are provided to protect the connected load.
Standby UPS feeds power to the load directly from
the utility and then transfers to battery power via an inverter
after utility drops below a specified voltage. The delay between
utility power loss and inverter startup can be long enough to disrupt
sensitive loads of an operation.
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Who can
install my UPS for me?
The type of unit will determine who can install
your UPS. Installing a plug-n-play (usually 3kVA and under)
simply requires plugging the unit into an existing outlet. This
can be done by yourself, but if you're uncomfortable you should
ask someone for help.
Installing a hardwired unit (usually larger than
3kVA), consists of wiring the unit into an electrical panel. This
type of unit should be installed by an electrician, the electrician
of your building or SEPS can do the installation for you. As a
licensed electrical contractor, SEPS has the ability to see that
your equipment is installed properly.
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What is
runtime?
Runtime is the length of time a UPS will provide
backup power to your connected equipment when utility power is
lost. When considering runtime, you should determine how long it
will take to safely and successfully shut down your equipment. Since
a battery plant degrades over time, it’s advisable to consider
how much runtime you want to have at the end of its life. As an
example, 20 minutes of runtime in a new unit may only equate to
15 minutes at the end of the battery plant's life. Will that be
enough time for a safe and orderly shutdown?
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Line interactive
UPS designs seem to offer adequate voltage regulation and conditioning. Why
should I consider even greater protection?
The protection a line interactive system offers
is significant, but sometimes isn’t enough. Some types
of sensitive electronic equipment, such as measurement equipment,
medical equipment and networking hardware, demand the highest levels
of regulation and conditioning. A UPS whose output is 10% more
than the nominal input voltage might cause these types of equipment
to go into failure and shut down. When you can’t afford the
risk consider online protection.
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What is the difference
between single phase and three phase units?
Single phase units have power that is provided
by a single source which normally includes one hot lead and a grounded
return line (neutral).
Three phase units have power that is provided
by a single source with three outputs with a phase difference of
120 ° between any two of the three voltages and currents.
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What should
I consider when buying a UPS?
Price is always a factor. You get what you
pay for, so don't be fooled by low-priced solutions. For
example, a system for under $100 at a retail store will protect
you from a power outage. However, power outages are one of
the least common causes of power problems. A system that
provides high surge protection, voltage regulation and noise filtration
will cost more but will be a better investment in the long run
and protect you from the most common power problems.
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What are
the advantages of buying from SEPS?
SEPS Experience
The prevailing attitude at SEPS is to do whatever
needs to be done to completely satisfy our customers. Accurate
assessments and professional response are reasons why so many customers
turn to SEPS for all their power protection needs.
State-of-the-art Solutions
- Highly selective in the products it recommends
- Rigid performance standards guarantee the best,
most current, reliable solutions
Power Quality Expertise
- More than 30 years of experience
- Trained, knowledgeable experts who understand
power nuances
- Work exclusively with power protection and
data centers
Immediate Response
- Extensive inventory that affords you timely
delivery of most products
Dependable Service
- Personalized, professional service
- Single point of contact
- Pre-sale and post-sale support
- Only a phone call away
From initial consultation to implementation, SEPS
is committed to protecting your interests. SEPS power professionals
take a personal interest in you and finding state-of-the-art solutions
that fit your needs and budget. Our professionals ensure
consistent, reliable, protection not only for today but for the
future as well.
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What is
the recommended interval for UPS maintenance?
Even though the UPS comes with a two year factory
warranty, it still should be maintained during that time. It
is recommended that preventative maintenance be performed at least
once per year. For critical applications, twice per year is recommended.
Frequent checks allow a technician to review the measurements preventing
future failures. Regular checks and cleaning can also help prolong
the useful life of your system.
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Why should
I be concerned about power problems?
Bzzzzzt! It only takes that long for a highly
productive operation to turn into complete darkness.
Day after day, technology spins the wheels of
businesses and turns them into highly productive machines. Businesses
rely more and more on technology and the need for reliable power
has grown increasingly important. Power disruptions can lead
to mass destruction of the business enterprise. Businesses
suffer everything from operational shutdowns and lost communications
to lost customers.
Whether a disruption is long or short, downtime
costs companies hundreds to thousands of dollars per minute. For
this reason, it’s important to implement proper power protection
from a company who knows what power protection is all about.
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Is it better to use
one centralized system or several smaller ones?
Your environment will determine which system setup
would be better for your business. If you are designing a
new building or all your units are in a central location, then
one central unit is the more cost-effective approach. In
the long run, you’ll only have one unit to consider servicing
and battery replacement.
If your equipment is distributed throughout an office or building, then several
smaller units might be the more cost-effective approach. However, several units
are more to manage. A SEPS professional will guide you through a system
that will be most efficient for your operation.
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