PowerTips
Brownouts: The Quiet Equipment Killer
Brownouts can be more problematic then blackouts to delicate electronic equipment in some cases. Brownouts are defined as extended periods of voltage drop or sag coming from the power grid. In brownout conditions, most devices will continue to run, but with unexpected errors and possible long term damage to components. Brownouts can occur at the utility level like blackouts, but in many cases they can also occur within your building’s electrical grid, when a large local load is applied.
How to Test UPS Batteries
The simplest way to test your UPS batteries is to simply simulate a power outage by unplugging the UPS from the wall, or switching off the power to that outlet via a circuit breaker or wall switch. We recommend that you safely power down all mission critical equipment prior to initiating a test.
How to Install APC PowerChute
Uninterruptible Power Supplies are the best way to protect your equipment from power failures, but limited run-times mean that unless the power is restored before the battery pack is discharged, your system will still crash when the UPS power is exhausted.
Plug Information
All NEMA 1 devices are two-wire non-grounding devices rated for 125 V maximum. NEMA 1-15P plugs have two parallel flat blades, 1/4 inches (6.35 mm) wide, 0.06 inches (1.524 mm) thick, 5/8–23/32 inches (15.875–18.256 mm) long, and spaced 1/2 inches (12.7 mm) apart, and are commonly found on household lamps and consumer electronics such as clocks and radios. Standards exist for 1–15P, 1–20P and 1–30P plugs, and the 1–15R receptacle. There are no 1–20R and 1–30R receptacles; 1–20P and 1–30P mate with a corresponding NEMA 5 receptacle. Plugs and receptacles may be polarized to preserve the identity of the neutral conductor; the blade connected to neutral will be wider (5/16 in/7.938 mm) than the other, and polarized sockets will only accept a polarized plug in the correct orientation.
Aquarium Power Protection
Aquariums are a beautiful and entertaining hobby for a number of enthusiasts, and the exotic fish and other marine life that they support provide hours of amusement for people across the globe. From simple goldfish bowls, all the way up to built-in saltwater marine environments, aquariums all share some of the same needs, namely filtration and aeration, as well as heating and light.