SUBSCRIBE TO TMCnet
TMCnet - World's Largest Communications and Technology Community

CHANNEL BY TOPICS


QUICK LINKS




Power Protection Needed To Improve Efficiency, Save Money, Secure Equipment

Power Protection FEATURED ARTICLE

Power Protection Needed To Improve Efficiency, Save Money, Secure Equipment

 
September 14, 2012

Share
Tweet
  By Ed Silverstein, TMCnet Contributor

Poor power quality includes many hidden costs, yet power losses can interrupt operations and lead to financial losses. It may seem the farthest thing from a win-win situation at times, but when it comes down to it, this couldn’t be farther from the truth; that is, if you find the right provider.


Well before a business is operating, there are decisions to be made regarding electricity costs, according to Chris Halliday, director of Technical Services and Training at Electrical Consulting and Training. In fact, he says, the very location of a business can impact costs. If it is located in a place which requires a long rural or remote power line, chances are better there will be power problems than in an urban area, he explains in a recent article in Pace, which is published by Institute of Instrumentation, Control & Automation (IICA).

The power company may even impose conditions on a business before it can upgrade or connect to the power grid. Businesses will also likely need to purchase equipment to comply with the requirements of the power grid if there is an expansion or retrofit, he adds, while also needing to consider whether to purchase automatic backup generators or connection points for portable generators in case of an outage.

Consider too what voltage is needed for equipment. Often, there is a range, and variations can damage equipment. Lightning hitting the power system, striking nearby, or large electrical equipment getting switched on or off can all damage electrical equipment, as well.

Surge and transient protection is needed for a business’s critical equipment or for equipment that is particularly sensitive to electrical changes. In the article, he explains that one kind of protection is called “under and over voltage protection.” Another kind is “phase fail/undervoltage protection,” which is particularly important for large motors.

Also, passive or reactive filters may be needed if there are excessive levels of harmonics.

One of the worst things one can do is wait for his or her equipment to break down to perform regular maintenance. Rather, employ a maintenance regime, he recommends. Consider a condition-based maintenance program, which includes power quality monitoring, energy monitoring, thermography, vibration analysis and alignment of motors and gearboxes, and condition monitoring of motors, cables, high voltage equipment and transformers, Halliday explains.

Be sure to also have a contingency plan before an incident takes place. It may be necessary to have spare parts for critical equipment and to replace old equipment if spare equipment or parts are not available.

When considering if something is economical, remember that the cost of the solution should offset the cost of “lost production, downtime to unclog production lines, damage to equipment, and contract penalties for not meeting delivery deadlines,” the article advises.

Given these needs, Minuteman UPS/Para Systems’ (News- Alert) power technologies provide power protection products to ensure security and efficiency with robust power products and solutions that are cost-efficient.

One of Minuteman’s offerings, the Minuteman RPM Series 2-Port Remote Power Manager, enables businesses to control AC power for up to two connected devices such as servers, switches, routers, modems and telephone systems. RPM connects to a network and can be monitored and managed through a Web browser or SNMP Network Management System (NMS). The Minuteman RPM can be used by network administrators who manage one or more remote locations. Even more, it can be controlled from virtually anywhere using only a standard Web browser.

Currently, the company is running an exclusive rebate program through September 30 on some of its most valuable leading power protection technologies. Just as you wouldn’t want to wait for equipment to break down before performing maintenance, don’t wait until these steals are all gone! There’s only about two weeks left, so click here to discover more.

To discover more about Minuteman UPS/Para Systems, click here.

Want to learn more about the latest in communications and technology? Then be sure to attend ITEXPO West 2012, taking place Oct. 2-5, in Austin, TX. Stay in touch with everything happening at ITEXPO (News - Alert). Follow us on Twitter.




Edited by Allison Boccamazzo
Power Protection Homepage ››





Technology Marketing Corporation

2 Trap Falls Road Suite 106, Shelton, CT 06484 USA
Ph: +1-203-852-6800, 800-243-6002

General comments: [email protected].
Comments about this site: [email protected].

STAY CURRENT YOUR WAY

© 2024 Technology Marketing Corporation. All rights reserved | Privacy Policy