subject: Monitoring Power Explanation [print this page] Firstly, to assess the excellence of mains power at a exacting site, power-monitoring services is 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 difference so that as measurement can be made of the type of conditioning and filtering that may be required.
IT system event logs and electrical system preservation records can provide useful in sequence upon which to pedestal assumptions. An event log, for example, could contain important data concerning specific system hardware failures, data corruption and/or system lock-ups. Electrical system safeguarding 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 Brand and Stress
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 key phone systems to fully integrated date centers 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 protection margin needs to be added to allow for system development within a two to five year period. A guideline reason is typically 25 percent of todays load. It can be achieved by either over-sizing the power protection solution (less desirable given todays 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 supplementary units can be brought into the arrangement when required.
The time it takes to behavior a power solutions appraisal is well worth the effort, particularly if costly and troublesome 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 negligible amount.
