uninterrupted power supply Archives - APC UPS Blog

What are Voltage Fluctuations?

September 5, 2016 by Peter Parcon

A voltage fluctuation is a regular change in voltage that happen when devices or equipment requiring a higher load are used. The effects of a voltage fluctuation are similar to the effects of an undervoltage. It causes lights to flicker or glow brighter. Display screen may flicker as well. There are also some instances when electronic equipment, such as a computer, will fail to start up. In addition, voltage fluctuations can cause computer systems to lose data, while televisions or radios may experience interference. This power problem can have a significant effect on the lifespan of incandescent bulbs, since they are designed for a specific voltage.

Rural areas may experience dramatic voltage fluctuations due to the long power lines. These power lines can cause voltage to go down when power usage in the area is high. When arc furnaces, arc welding equipment or even elevators are used, they normally cause the voltage of a power distribution system to fluctuate. This situation is similar to using a shower in the second floor bathroom of a house. When someone turns on the faucet in the laundry room on the first floor, the second floor shower may run out of water.

Voltage fluctuations can be managed through the use of a voltage regulator. An uninterruptible power supply (UPS) system or power line conditioning devices can also be used in reducing the effects of this common power problem. Another way to deal with voltage fluctuations is by simply removing equipment or devices causing it from the power supply system.

References:

http://northpower.com/network/services/voltage-fluctuations

http://www.apcmedia.com/salestools/VAVR-5WKLPK/VAVR-5WKLPK_R1_EN.pdf?sdirect=true

http://www.on365.co.uk/Power__and__Cooling/Most_Common_Power_Problems.aspx

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/6-common-power-problems-ted-ochieng-otieno-cem-?forceNoSplash=true

http://electrical-engineering-portal.com/9-most-common-power-quality-problems

http://blog.schneider-electric.com/datacenter/power-and-cooling/2013/05/28/six-types-of-power-disturbances-that-can-trip-up-your-it-systems/

What are waveform distortions?

September 3, 2016 by Peter Parcon

Waveform distortions are common power problems that cause equipment to malfunction and sources of power to overload. It is an unexpected change in the waveforms of current and voltage as they pass through a device. There are five main types of waveform distortions: DC offset, harmonics, interharmonics, notching and noise.

DC offsets are instances where direct current (DC) overlaps an alternating current (AC) distribution system. This overlapping of two different types of current can cause overheating in the equipment.

Harmonics occur when some loads affect the main waveform of voltage. In this situation, the new loads prevent the waveform from reaching its highest and lowest levels. Harmonics can cause circuit breakers to trip and transformers to overheat.

Interharmonics is a condition where a signal affects the main voltage waveform. It can cause display monitors to flicker and equipment to overheat. Interharmonics can also cause communication issues.

Notching is an intermittent disturbance that can affect voltage. It normally happens when light dimmers or arc welders are being used. It results in data loss and issues with the transmission of data.

Noise is any unnecessary current or voltage affecting the waveform of the main power supply. This waveform distortion can cause data issues and equipment to malfunction.

The effects of waveform distortion can be reduced through the use of an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) and filter equipment. Line conditioners can also be used to minimize the effect of this power problem. Reducing the load used on a transformer can also help reduce waveform distortion. Relocating equipment causing this common power problem can also help prevent it from happening.

References:

http://ecmweb.com/content/voltage-waveform-distortion-causes-effects-cures

http://www.dictionaryofengineering.com/definition/waveform-distortion.html

http://www.apcmedia.com/salestools/VAVR-5WKLPK/VAVR-5WKLPK_R1_EN.pdf?sdirect=true

https://www.tripplite.com/shared/literature/White-Paper/Common-Power-Problems-and-Power-Protection-Solutions-White-Paper-EN.pdf

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/6-common-power-problems-ted-ochieng-otieno-cem-?forceNoSplash=truehttps://www.captech.com.au/2016/05/06/common-issues-with-power-supply/

Seven Main Types of Power Problems

August 13, 2016 by Peter Parcon

Issues with power supply often lead to losses amounting to billions of dollars every year. The following are the seven main power problems identified by an international standards organization, the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers.

Transients

Transients are the most damaging types of power problems. These are sudden changes in power and are referred to as power surges or power spikes. In this situation, power goes up beyond its normal range and causes an overload, which in turn causes damage to equipment connected to it.

Interruptions

An interruption is a total loss of power resulting from damage to the power supply grid. The damage may be caused by equipment failure or lightning strikes, among others. These interruptions may last from a few seconds to a couple of hours.

Sag or Undervoltage

A sag or undervoltage is basically a temporary drop in the power whenever heavy machinery is used. Power supply drops since these machines require a huge amount of power. The situation was once called a brownout before the term undervoltage was used.

Swell/Overvoltage

A swell or overvoltage is the opposite of a sag or undervoltage. It is a situation when the power supply is higher than the demand for it. Swells or overvoltages can cause equipment to overheat and lights to flicker.

Waveform distortion

Waveform distortions are changes in the frequency leading to data loss and equipment failure. The five main types of wave distortion problems are DC Offset, Notching, Noise, Harmonics, and Interharmonics.

Voltage Fluctuations

Voltage fluctuations are situations when voltage rises and falls erratically. Whenever machinery with high power needs is turned on, voltage fluctuations normally occur.

Frequency variations

Frequency variations normally happen in areas powered by a standby generator or areas with an unstable power supply. Equipment connected to these power sources will operate inefficiently.

These power problems can be remedied through the use of appropriate UPS systems available in the market today.

References:

http://www.on365.co.uk/Power__and__Cooling/Most_Common_Power_Problems.aspx

http://www.apcmedia.com/salestools/VAVR-5WKLPK/VAVR-5WKLPK_R1_EN.pdf?sdirect=true

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/6-common-power-problems-ted-ochieng-otieno-cem-?forceNoSplash=true

What is an Uninterruptible Power Supply?

April 5, 2010 by Tony Leave a Comment

Join us as we discuss the basics of power back ups over the next few posts. We’re going to keep these posts short and simple. Please leave questions in the comments.

What is an Uninterruptible Power Supply?

An uninterruptible power supply, also known as a UPS, battery backup or power back up is a device that provides power to attached equipment when the utility power goes out. The main idea of a UPS is to provide instant power without interruption to the attached devices. That way, the computer or server attached will not lose power but will continue running uninterrupted.

Common Names for Uninterruptible Power Supplies:

– Uninterruptible Power Supply

– Uninterrupted Power Supply

– Battery Backup

– Power Backup

– UPS Backup

– UPS

All of the above terminology basically means the same thing. So if you want be part of the cool club, call it a “UPS”. How do you pronounce that? That’s a great question, it’s pronounced like the shipping company, “UPS”. It’s not pronounced like the “UPS” in the diapers “Pull Ups”.

What are Uninterruptible Power Supplies used for?

– Computers

– Servers

– Data centers

– Telecom equipment (voip, pbx, phone system)

– Medical Equipment

– POS Equipment (cash registers, debit machines)

– ATM, ABM

and every other piece of equipment that can be harmed or cause harm by suddenly losing power. You might not have noticed them before, but they’re pretty much everywhere. Your local bank has them, the grocery store and your internet service provider.

In the next few posts, we are going to discuss:

Different types of UPSs
Main Features
Power Problems

If you have any questions please post them in the comments or post them up on our Q&A Site