Verticle TV & Music

Power Solutions Review

A power solutions review is essential at the outset of any power continuity or power protection project, if the highest levels of reliability and resilience (fault tolerance) are to be acquired. A review aims to establish:

• The quality of available mains power and any history of power problems.
• The quality of power required by loads in terms of voltage, frequency and current.
• Future demands and the reliability of the power supply to meet them.
• Sources of alternative back-up power that may be available onsite.
• Priority-based load shedding and shut down. 

What you need to establish is what type of loads you have, linear or non-linear, what category they are, in terms of their criticality to the continuous running of the operation or business and any potential there may be for power problems including sags, surges, brownouts, harmonics, electrical noise, spikes and transients as well as the propensity for complete blackouts. This information will tell you what type, size and configuration of power protection system you need to give maximum reliability and resilience.

So, how do you do a power quality review?

Monitoring Power Solutions

Firstly, to assess the quality of mains power at a particular site, power-monitoring services are offered by specialist companies, such as Riello UPS. Using specialist tools and software, an analysis can be taken of voltage and current distortion and/or frequency variations so that as assessment can be made of the type of conditioning and filtering that may be required.

IT system event logs and electrical system maintenance records can provide useful information upon which to base assumptions. An event log, for example, could contain important data concerning specific system hardware failures, data corruption and/or system lock-ups. Electrical system maintenance records will tell you of any incidents of sudden circuit-breaker tripping, fuse ruptures, relay chattering and the dimming or flickering of overhead lights.

Assessing Load Types and Demands

Each load may vary considerably in type and size and will have its own demands in terms of current drawn (AMPS), power consumed, and voltage and frequency of supply required. In Europe, for example, loads typically draw either a single-phase 230Vac or three-phase 400Vac supply at 50Hz. In North America this is, typically, 120/208Vac single-phase or 277/480Vac three-phase.

Computer and telecommunications loads can range from single, desktop computers and keyphone systems to fully integrated date centres deploying the latest software-based PBX technologies and high-end servers. In this case, each peace of hardware should be assessed to establish its in-rush (switch on) current alongside the normal running current of its power Supply Unit, which in most cases, these days, is SMPS (switch Mode Power Supply). At switch on, most SMPS equipment has high in-rush current, which needs to be considered when sizing UPS equipment.

Whilst loads are assessed in terms of their power draw, a safety margin needs to be added to allow for system expansion within a two to five year period. A guideline factor is typically 25 percent of today’s load. It can be achieved by either over-sizing the power protection solution (less desirable given today’s demand for efficiencies and reduced installation costs) or by enabling the installation of additional capacity at a later date; UPS running in parallel configurations, for example, whereby additional units can be brought into the configuration when required.

The time it takes to conduct a power solutions review is well worth the effort, particularly if costly and disruptive downtime is to be avoided. In these days of global markets and online businesses, it has reached a point whereby no business can afford any downtime, let along a minimal amount.

About the Author

Robin Koffler is the General Manager for Riello UPS Ltd the UK subsidiary of Riello UPS (RPS S.p.A) a leading European manufacturer of Uninterruptible Power Supplies and a co-author of The Power Protection Guide(ISBN 978-0-9554428-0-3)- available from Amazon.com

World's FIRST: Power Your Monitor with USB! - DisplayLink USB 3.0 Bus-Powered Display - CES 2011

US Auctions Australian Auctions Austrian Auctions Belgian Auctions Canadian Auctions French Auctions German Auctions Irish Auctions Italian Auctions Dutch Auctions Spanish Auctions Swiss Auctions GB Auctions

Best Match Items Ending First Newly-Listed Items First Price + Shipping: Lowest First Price + Shipping: Highest First

plug in Energy meter Watt Voltage Volt Meter Monitor Analyzer power meter $16.98 Time Remaining: 14d 8h 57m Buy It Now for only: $16.98 Buy It Now

Focal CMS65 pair powered studio monitors $1,195.00 Time Remaining: 50m

RA 100 ALESIS POWER AMPLIFIER AMP RA 100 STUDIO MONITOR AMP COLLEGE STATION TX $51.00 (2 Bids) Time Remaining: 3h 34m

Black Decker Power Monitor Energy Saver EM100B 20 savings potential $19.99 Time Remaining: 27d 21h 13m Buy It Now for only: $19.99 Buy It Now

Furman PM 8 Power Conditioner Monitor $89.99 Time Remaining: 38m Buy It Now for only: $129.99 Buy It Now

New PA DJ Band Powered Speaker Active Monitor PP802A1 $143.99 Time Remaining: 52m Buy It Now for only: $159.99 Buy It Now

Mini Energy Power Watt Voltage Meter LCD Monitor Advanced Ammeter Euro Socket $15.97 Time Remaining: 25d 10h 46m Buy It Now for only: $15.97 Buy It Now

Apple Mac G4 MDD Dual 125 GHz 17 LCD Monitor in original box power issue $20.00 (1 Bid) Time Remaining: 6h 28m

12 FT SCEPTRE RCA PANASONIC TV MONITOR POWER CORD CABLE $6.50 Time Remaining: 2d 3h 23m Buy It Now for only: $6.50 Buy It Now

Monitor Audio FB212 Powered Subwoofer 110lbs 760W $599.00 Time Remaining: 4h 17m Buy It Now for only: $900.00 Buy It Now

AppleColor RGB monitor A2M6014 Powers up when turned on for Apple IIgs $10.50 (2 Bids) Time Remaining: 4h 27m

AC DC Adapter Charger 4 PHILIPS GFP361DA 1230 LCD Monitor Switching Power Supply $8.99 Time Remaining: 5h 42m Buy It Now for only: $8.99 Buy It Now

Polk Audio 10 200 Watt Black Monitor Series Powered Subwoofer PSW110 NICE $108.50 (10 Bids) Time Remaining: 6h 5m

Eu energy meter Watt Voltage Volt Meter Monitor Analyzer with power factor $15.98 Time Remaining: 19d 15h 3m Buy It Now for only: $15.98 Buy It Now

POWERED 15 SEISMIC AUDIO PA DJ SPEAKERS Active Speaker $214.99 Time Remaining: 2d 2h 54m

Yamaha HS50M Powered Monitor Speakers Isolation Pads All New Factory Sealed $255.00 (11 Bids) Time Remaining: 1d 17h 34m

P3 KILL A WATT POWER USAGE VOLTAGE METER MONITOR NEW $22.49 Time Remaining: 28d 1h 27m Buy It Now for only: $22.49 Buy It Now

POWERED 12 SEISMIC AUDIO PA DJ SPEAKERS Active Speaker $189.99 Time Remaining: 2h 51m

Energy meter Watt Voltage Volt Meter Monitor Analyzer power meter $9.99 Time Remaining: 6d 5h 19m Buy It Now for only: $9.99 Buy It Now

Mackie MR8 Studio Monitors with original packaging manuals and power cables $88.88 Time Remaining: 23h 57m

15 Powered Active DJ Speakers Monitors Podium Pro Audio Band MP3 New PP1504CA $539.99 Time Remaining: 3h 15m Buy It Now for only: $599.99 Buy It Now

New PSCV12500A 12V 6A LCD Monitor AC Power Adapter 100 240V Black $7.99 Time Remaining: 1d 12h 31m Buy It Now for only: $7.99 Buy It Now

Alesis M1 Active 320 USB Studio Powered Monitors PAIR $31.00 (15 Bids) Time Remaining: 17h 21m

New PSCV12500A 12V 6A LCD Monitor AC Power Adapter 100 240V Black $8.54 Time Remaining: 13d 6h 27m Buy It Now for only: $8.54 Buy It Now

IBM T221 Monitor Power Supply Tested Working NR $75.00 Time Remaining: 4h 9m Buy It Now for only: $99.00 Buy It Now

KRK RoKit RPG2 FG 6 Powered Studio Reference Monitor Speaker $49.95 (1 Bid) Time Remaining: 23h 31m

AC Adapter For Motorola MBP36 Remote Digital Video Baby Monitor Power Supply PSU $14.99 Time Remaining: 16d 4h 37m Buy It Now for only: $14.99 Buy It Now

Lot of 14 Power Cords for Computers Monitors etc Also 2 A B Switches $7.95 Time Remaining: 38m

Commodore Amiga 500 with power supply mouse and 2002 monitor $149.99 Time Remaining: 1d 5h 19m Buy It Now for only: $224.99 Buy It Now

12V 5A 60W LCD Monitor AC DC Power Adapter Supply Cord $9.49 Time Remaining: 23d 12h 12m Buy It Now for only: $9.49 Buy It Now

M Audio BX5a studio powered amplified monitor speakers $102.50 (22 Bids) Time Remaining: 1d 21h 55m

AC Adapter For 23 Acer S231HL S231HLBID Widescreen LED LCD Monitor Power Supply $17.99 Time Remaining: 28d 6h 1m Buy It Now for only: $17.99 Buy It Now

Behringer B205D Powered Monitor $50.00 Time Remaining: 1d 55m Buy It Now for only: $99.00 Buy It Now

Standard america power cable for PC computer monitor etc 5 to 6 feet $0.97 Time Remaining: 1h 27m Buy It Now for only: $5.89 Buy It Now

12V 4A LCD Monitor Adapter Power Supply Acer BenQ AOC $7.14 Time Remaining: 10d 4h 50m Buy It Now for only: $7.14 Buy It Now

LOT OF 6 USED UNIVERSAL POWER CORDS COMPUTERS PRINTERS MONITORS $4.99 Time Remaining: 6h 15m

AC DC Adapter For AD150600550 Summer Slim Secure Monitor Power Supply Charger $12.99 Time Remaining: 9d 7h 48m Buy It Now for only: $12.99 Buy It Now

Blueline Power Cost Monitor Electricity Meter Sma $19.99 Time Remaining: 1h 29m

SWEET M AUDIO Studiophile BX5a Deluxe Studio Monitors w Power Cables NR $132.50 (11 Bids) Time Remaining: 4d 4h 30m

90W AC Adapter Charger For Dell 2001FP LCD monitor PA 9 Power Supply Cord $12.69 Time Remaining: 2d 6h 50m Buy It Now for only: $12.69 Buy It Now

2 POWERED 12 SEISMIC AUDIO PA SPEAKERS Active DJ Band $177.50 (21 Bids) Time Remaining: 5d 3h 30m

AC Power Adapter for HP PAVILION F1703 1703 LCD Monitor $9.29 Time Remaining: 1d 10h 54m Buy It Now for only: $9.29 Buy It Now

KRK Systems Rokit Powered 5 RPG2 Powered Studio Monitor Set of Two $153.33 (9 Bids) Time Remaining: 2d 1h 38m

Anchor AN 1001X 2 2 Way Monitor Speakers non powered $30.94 (6 Bids) Time Remaining: 5d 3h 6m

Power Supply Adaptor 12V 5A for iMAX B6 B5 LCD MONITORS $7.74 Time Remaining: 12d 16h 16m Buy It Now for only: $7.74 Buy It Now

Numark NPM5 Powered Monitors $12.50 (5 Bids) Time Remaining: 2d 1h 56m

TED 5000 G Series The Energy Detective Kill A Watt Home Energy Power Monitor $199.95 Time Remaining: 3d 7h 58m Buy It Now for only: $199.95 Buy It Now

AOC e1649Fwu 16 Class USB Powered Portable LED LCD Monitor for dual monitors $63.00 (8 Bids) Time Remaining: 2d 9h 35m

Viewsonic Air Panel 100 10 Wireless Touchscreen Monitor Tablet Powered On $54.00 (2 Bids) Time Remaining: 1d 22h 13m

6 FT PC Computer Monitor Power Cord AC Extension Cable $6.61 Time Remaining: 25d 10h 20m Buy It Now for only: $6.61 Buy It Now

V6 KRK POWER STUDIO MONITOR SPEAKERS $59.99 (1 Bid) Time Remaining: 3d 6h 55m

Black & Decker EM100B Energy Saver Series Power Monitor List Price: $99.99 Sale Price: $63.99 You save: $36.00 (36%)   Eligible for free shipping! Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days See Reviews For This Product Description Go green and save money on energy costs with the Black & Decker EM100B Energy Saver Series Power Monitor. This compact, easy-to-install device lets you track the amount of electricity that your household uses--and the costs of that usage--in real time...

In-Car Notebook/DVD Player Travel Case- Case Attaches to Rear or Front Seat(Fits Notebooks Up To 10.2 Inches) Sale Price: $25.19   Eligible for free shipping! Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours See Reviews For This Product Description This well-designed, thickly padded and versatile DVD player case will provide you with protection and convenience for your DVD player and accessories. This rugged, tough-shell carrying case works great as a carrying bag for your DVD player and accessories, but can also quickly convert into an In-Car mounting system...

Power Acoustik PT-700MHR 7-Inch Widescreen Headrest Monitor List Price: $499.99 Sale Price: $88.71 You save: $411.28 (82%)   Eligible for free shipping! Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours See Reviews For This Product Description 7 inch wide headrest monitor.

Conntek 28163-096 8-Foot 10 Amp 125 Volt Power Supply Cord NEM Amp 5-15P to IEC 320 C13 Right Angle Computer/Monitor/Projector Power Cord List Price: $11.99 Sale Price: $9.81 You save: $2.18 (18%)   Eligible for free shipping! Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours See Reviews For This Product Description Computer, Monitor or Projector Power Cord Connect your computer, display monitor, printer or HDD enclosure with one of these standard three-prong power cords. Designed to fit into Amp 3-pin shrouded power connector typically found on CPU power supplies and some monitors, printers, scanners, hard drive enclosures and other devices...

Fellowes Standard Monitor Riser (91712) Sale Price: $16.99   Eligible for free shipping! Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours See Reviews For This Product Description Standard Monitor Riser with innovative stacking columns raises your monitor to a comfortable viewing height. Features 3 different height adjustments from 2 Inch to 4 Inch. Space-saving design constructed of sturdy, high-impact plastic supports up to 60 lbs...

Polar CS600X Cycling Heart Rate Monitor with Power Sensor W.I.N.D. List Price: $709.95 Sale Price: $620.00 You save: $89.95 (13%)   Eligible for free shipping! Availability: Usually ships in 4-5 business days See Reviews For This Product Description Designed for demanding cyclists, the Polar CS600X cycling computer enables you to track the most important data from your training rides with wireless sensors. And by using the optional, compatible Polar G3 GPS sensor, you can take your training to its highest level by tracking and recording your routes...

Tripp Lite P004-006 AC Power Extension Cable, C14 to C13 - 6ft List Price: $6.99 Sale Price: $5.00 You save: $1.99 (28%)   Eligible for free shipping! Availability: Usually ships in 3 to 5 days See Reviews For This Product Description AC Power Cords (UL-listed) Length Ft.: 6 Connection Type: IEC-320-C14,-C13

NEW SONY PLAYSTATION 3 PS3 POWER CORD AC CABLE Sale Price: $7.67   Eligible for free shipping! Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours See Reviews For This Product Description These Power Cords are designed to work with most PCs, monitors, scanners, printers and other devices that use the 3-pin shroud power connector. All these power cables feature a fully molded design that provide maximum durablility and long-life.

PowerDVD 10 Ultra 3D List Price: $99.95 Sale Price: $90.24 You save: $9.71 (10%)   Eligible for free shipping! Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours See Reviews For This Product Description CyberLink's most advanced movie and media player to date, PowerDVD 10 Ultra 3D delivers 3D and HD movies on the PC. PowerDVD 10 is a unique universal player that offers the best playback quality available...