Avoiding affects of power fluctuations
Reducing the risk of damage to sensitive electronic equipment and loss of data
Background
Voltage fluctuations and impulses are present at most points on the electricity supply system.
They originate from a number of sources including:
- equipment connected to the system - particularly motors but also welders and even fluorescent lights - and can originate within your premises or from someone else's site.
- faults or switching operations within the electricity distribution system, or on privately owned equipment.
- atmospheric conditions.
The Risks
Sensitive electronic equipment connected to the electricity supply such as computers, telephone systems and faxes can be damaged by voltage fluctuations or impulses. Manufacturers sometimes include a measure of protection but the degree of protection is seldom specified. In addition, data corruption or loss can result from interruptions to the electricity supply or other events occurring on the system.
Reducing the Risks
There are a number of ways to reduce the risks highlighted above. The equipment owner or supplier needs to evaluate the degree and type of protection required against the features of the options available and the costs. The following paragraphs provide an overview of the broad categories of protection devices without considering the specifications of each individual example of equipment from the various manufacturers.
Spike Protectors
- Considered to the minimum protection for all sensitive equipment, including home computers.
- Operate by providing an alternative path for much of the potentially harmful energy contained in spikes or impulses on the electricity supply.
- No protection against voltage fluctuations or against the consequences of an interruption to the electricity supply.
- Must have an indicator light built in to indicate if the device has been damaged (and the indicator needs to be checked regularly, especially after a storm).
- Lots of different models available offering various features, but generally inexpensive.
Power Conditioner
- Designed to smooth out the voltage of the electricity supply to sensitive equipment.
- Particularly useful in areas subject to voltage fluctuations, including industrial and rural areas.
- No protection from the consequences of an interruption to the electricity supply.
- Must be matched to the rating of the equipment.
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Relatively inexpensive.
Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS)
- Provides an alternative source of electricity during short interruptions to the electricity supply.
- May either switch to the internal battery supply or operate as "no break".
- Additional protection may be required against fluctuations and spikes.
- Must be matched to the rating of the equipment.
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Basic models are now relatively inexpensive.
Costs
Protection equipment is available from equipment suppliers, electrical wholesalers, etc.
The following is an indication of prices of typical items available, but please remember that conditioners and UPS's must be sized for the rating of the equipment being protected.
Spike busters / Surge protectors: Spike protection only: e.g. PDL "power surge protector" 4 way plug board spike protection and filtering: e.g. HPM Power Protector.
Power conditioners: Approximately $300 for a unit to suit a single PC.
UPS - switched protection: Approximately $220 for a 250 VA model to suit a single PC. Larger units are available.
UPS - "no-break" protection: Approximately $2000 for a 1000VA unit.
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