Mains Power
Mains Power
Taking Care of Power Equipment and Carrying On in Stormy Weather
Power loss incidents, which amount in USA to $80 billion annually, cause tremendous damages to computers and data, in industry, communication and data centers.Power failures are markedly related to season, occurring mainly due to transformer failures, standby generator starting troubles and underground cable malfunctions, all victims of poor maintenance that could be avoided.
Forty two major worldwide Power Failure reported incidents were analyzed by UPSonNet. All occurred during February 2009, each affecting thousands up to hundreds of thousands people. The study results indicate that most failures are due to defective equipment that failed in Stormy Weather. Proper preventive maintenance could have eliminated most defects and the associated power failures.
Normally, during the dry period, contamination which includes electrically conductive materials is collected on power line insulators. Rains and storms close the electric path causing shorts and arcs, tripping line breakers. Sometimes utility poles catch fire due to the electric arcs.
Salt is used in some areas as part of winter road treatment, increasing the amount of contamination spread by road vehicles kicking up salt from the roadway. This creates more potential for electric arcs near freeways and major roads.
Trees are also a leading cause of power failures in winter. Winds and snow cause trees to fall. The falling trees cut power lines. Some power lines create electric shorts and arcs between adjacent power lines or from power lines to ground.
Lack of rain may affect power supply in places where considerable amount of power is generated by hydropower. Kathmandu is now seeing severe power cuts, with no rain in the past few months and decreasing water level in rivers feeding the hydropower plants.
Excessive heat, as experienced in Australia in February, overloads electricity supply due to tremendous growth in air conditioning, thus tripping line breakers.
Natural causes reported as air contamination, trees, ice, no rain, as well as any incident reported as transmission line failure, which may or may not refer to natural causes, form together only thirty five percents of total power loss incidents. Defective equipment is responsible for forty six percent of power loss incidents and is the main reason for power losses. Seven percent of outages occurred due to automotive accidents. The reason of additional twelve percent is unclear.
Although most installations are equipped with Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) systems, no single UPS or its battery failure was reported. In some cases the power failure occurred after depletion of UPS batteries.
Till late eighties, year by year, the arrival of first autumn storm was accompanied by collapsing of defective UPS systems and particularly worn out backup batteries. No UPS Company had enough staff, or enough batteries to deal with all irate calls from customers. The chaos stopped when microprocessor based UPS control was introduced in early nineties, enabling automatic testing of UPS systems including batteries, by performing periodic power outage simulation exercises. The exercising enabled detection of defective systems, correction of the UPS and replacement of defective and weak batteries. All these preventive actions were performed when mains power was still available, before the stormy weather season.
Equipment malfunction diagnosis indicates that nature is not to be blamed. Similarly to the described initial experience with UPS sytems, most of the studied power equipment, which failed during storms was revealed to be already defective, and couldn't perform within its designed limits. Lightning and switching voltages generated in the grid are generally attenuated and clamped to the insulation levels of line isolators and surge protective devices. Healthy transformers and cables should be able to withstand these voltage levels, and backup generators should start when needed.
Performance of proper preventive maintenance can solve most of power failure problems. Simple, cost effective monitors based on technologies such as Partial Discharge (PD) and Infrared tomography are able to detect transformer defects, and allow scheduling corrective actions in time. Power outage simulation exercising can reveal generator's starting problems. PD methods, Power Factor measurements, as well as other monitoring methods, offered by test instruments manufacturers, can alarm before the stormy season, about defective underground cables, which require treatment.
UPSonNet study reveals that most power outages occur in stormy season, mainly because of defective equipment, which fails in harsh environment. Such outages, do not happen due to acts of God but due to negligence of humans, and can be avoided by proper maintenance service. Regular maintenance schedule, exercising and monitoring can foresee possible problems, which can be solved before the storms come.
Forty two major worldwide Power Failure reported incidents were analyzed by UPSonNet. All occurred during February 2009, each affecting thousands up to hundreds of thousands people. The study results indicate that most failures are due to defective equipment that failed in Stormy Weather. Proper preventive maintenance could have eliminated most defects and the associated power failures.
Normally, during the dry period, contamination which includes electrically conductive materials is collected on power line insulators. Rains and storms close the electric path causing shorts and arcs, tripping line breakers. Sometimes utility poles catch fire due to the electric arcs.
Salt is used in some areas as part of winter road treatment, increasing the amount of contamination spread by road vehicles kicking up salt from the roadway. This creates more potential for electric arcs near freeways and major roads.
Trees are also a leading cause of power failures in winter. Winds and snow cause trees to fall. The falling trees cut power lines. Some power lines create electric shorts and arcs between adjacent power lines or from power lines to ground.
Lack of rain may affect power supply in places where considerable amount of power is generated by hydropower. Kathmandu is now seeing severe power cuts, with no rain in the past few months and decreasing water level in rivers feeding the hydropower plants.
Excessive heat, as experienced in Australia in February, overloads electricity supply due to tremendous growth in air conditioning, thus tripping line breakers.
Natural causes reported as air contamination, trees, ice, no rain, as well as any incident reported as transmission line failure, which may or may not refer to natural causes, form together only thirty five percents of total power loss incidents. Defective equipment is responsible for forty six percent of power loss incidents and is the main reason for power losses. Seven percent of outages occurred due to automotive accidents. The reason of additional twelve percent is unclear.
Although most installations are equipped with Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) systems, no single UPS or its battery failure was reported. In some cases the power failure occurred after depletion of UPS batteries.
Till late eighties, year by year, the arrival of first autumn storm was accompanied by collapsing of defective UPS systems and particularly worn out backup batteries. No UPS Company had enough staff, or enough batteries to deal with all irate calls from customers. The chaos stopped when microprocessor based UPS control was introduced in early nineties, enabling automatic testing of UPS systems including batteries, by performing periodic power outage simulation exercises. The exercising enabled detection of defective systems, correction of the UPS and replacement of defective and weak batteries. All these preventive actions were performed when mains power was still available, before the stormy weather season.
Equipment malfunction diagnosis indicates that nature is not to be blamed. Similarly to the described initial experience with UPS sytems, most of the studied power equipment, which failed during storms was revealed to be already defective, and couldn't perform within its designed limits. Lightning and switching voltages generated in the grid are generally attenuated and clamped to the insulation levels of line isolators and surge protective devices. Healthy transformers and cables should be able to withstand these voltage levels, and backup generators should start when needed.
Performance of proper preventive maintenance can solve most of power failure problems. Simple, cost effective monitors based on technologies such as Partial Discharge (PD) and Infrared tomography are able to detect transformer defects, and allow scheduling corrective actions in time. Power outage simulation exercising can reveal generator's starting problems. PD methods, Power Factor measurements, as well as other monitoring methods, offered by test instruments manufacturers, can alarm before the stormy season, about defective underground cables, which require treatment.
For additional information about overcoming outages in stormy weather, see Study Results.
About the Author
Meir Portnoy is VP of UPSonNet –Information Source, Publishing about Power Protection and Power UPS field. Website includes Selection guides, UPS Industry prices, most extensive UPS Glossary and Essential UPS News, which update within minutes a day about important industry products, developments and trends.
For more information please visit UPSonNet.
is it better to run my laptop off mains power as opposed to battery power?
i;m at uni, so my laptop is just situated on my desk. Would it be better to take the battery out and just run it off the mains, i.e. would this make the battery last longer?
Yes. The battery will last much longer. By leaving it plugged in while battery is connected over time will cause the cells in the battery to loose there charge faster. This is called "memory" meaning the cells hold energy but will never dissipate it. Taking the battery out will bypass the battery and save your battery for when you really need it. Hope this helps.
Mains Power
Kill A Watt Meter - AltE Video Tip
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Mains Power Around the World $105.14 Mains power around the world. Alternating current, Deltawye transformer, Electrical wiring, Electricity, Industrial and multiphase power plugs and sockets, List of current systems for electric rail traction, Mains electricity, AC power plugs and sockets, NEMA connector, Telephone plug Author: Miller, Frederic P./ Vandome, Agnes F./ McBrewster, John Binding Type: Paperback Number of Pages: 128 Publication Date: 2009/09/26 Language: English Dimensions: 5.98 x 9.01 x 0.30 inches |
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ACC Mains Adapter PB24-F - power adapter $1053.99 AXIS ACC Mains Adapter PB24-F - Power adapter - AC 115/220 V |
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ACC Mains Adapter PB24 - power adapter $439.99 AXIS ACC Mains Adapter PB24 - Power adapter - AC 115/220 V |
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Axis Acc Mains Adapter Pb24 - Power Adapter $354.99 Axis Acc Mains Adapter Pb24 - Power Adapter AXIS ACC Mains Adapter PB24 - Power adapter - AC 115/220 V |
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Axis Acc Mains Adapter Pb24-S - Power Adapter $506.99 Axis Acc Mains Adapter Pb24-S - Power Adapter AXIS ACC Mains Adapter PB24-S - Power adapter - AC 115/220 V - for Pendant Dome |
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Axis Acc Mains Adapter Pb24-F - Power Adapter $849.99 Axis Acc Mains Adapter Pb24-F - Power Adapter AXIS ACC Mains Adapter PB24-F - Power adapter - AC 115/220 V |
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ACC Mains Adapter PB24-S - power adapter $628.99 AXIS ACC Mains Adapter PB24-S - Power adapter - AC 115/220 V - for Pendant Dome |
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Mains $134.99 Olivier Föllmi Mains - Framed Art Print |
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Kirschbaum Hybrix Power Mains 110m $55 Die Längssaite des Hybrid-Sets Hybrix Power jetzt auch auf Rolle. Eine Monofilament-Saite der neuesten Generation mit exzellenten Eigenschaften hinsichtlich Power, Kontrolle, Spinübertragung und Spannungsstabilität.... |
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Free Shipping 10pcs UK USB CHARGER UK MAINS AC POWER WALL CHARGER ADAPTERS $11.99 UK USB CHARGER UK MAINS AC POWER WALL CHARGER ADAPTERS |
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AC Mains Power Adapter for Nintendo DS Lite/Sony PSP (EU) $5.99 Highlights:Replacement AC mains power adapter for Nintendo DS Lite/Sony PSP (EU)Specification:Output voltage: 5.2V 800mAInput voltage: 100-240V 50/60Hz |
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Genuine Sony PSP Mains Power Supply/AC Adaptor $4.99 Highlights:Genuine Sony PSP mains AC adaptorReplace your faulty PSP AC mains power supplyPowers and charges your Sony PSPSpecification:Color: BlackInput AC 100~240V 50/60HzOutput DC 5V 2000mAFull length: 280cm2-pin round plugCompliant: PSP 1000 / 2000 / 3000Dimensions: 3.35in 1.77in 0.87inWeight: 3.16ozPackage Contents:1 x Genuine Sony PSP mains AC adaptor |
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AC Mains Charger for Nintendo DSi and 3DS (EU) $3.79 Highlights:AC Mains Power adapter for European Nintendo DSi modelsAlso compatible with the Nintendo 3DSDimensions: 2.99 in x 2.29 in x 0.93 inWeight: 2.47 oz |
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AC Mains Power Adaptor for PS2 (EU, 8.5V, Black) $9.99 HighlightsEU plugReplacement or backup AC mains power adaptor for PS2 consoleDesigned for PS2 70000 console modelsShort circuit protectionInput: AC 100~240V 50/60HzOutput: DC 8.5V 5.6AAdapter cable length: 80cm (approx)Power cable length: 1meter (approx)SpecificationColor: BlackDimensions (cm): 12.1 x 5.8 x 2.8Weight (Kg): 0.228Package Contents1 x AC mains power adapter for Sony PS2 700001 x Power cable |
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AC Mains Power Adaptor for PS2 (US, 8.5V, Black) $9.99 HighlightsUSA plugReplacement or backup AC mains power adaptor for PS2 consoleDesigned for PS2 70000 console modelsShort circuit protectionInput: AC 100~240V 50/60HzOutput: DC 8.5V 5.6AAdapter cable length: 80cm (approx)Power cable length: 1meter (approx)SpecificationColor: BlackDimensions (cm): 12.1 x 5.8 x 2.8Weight (Kg): 0.228Package Contents1 x AC mains power adapter for Sony PS2 700001 x Power cable |
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AC Mains Power Adaptor for Nintendo DS Lite (EU) $2.99 Highlights:Nintendo DS Lite AC mains power adaptor (European standard)INPUT: AC100V-250V 50/60HZOUTPUT: 5.2V---450mASpecification:Dimension: 47.24in 2.95in 0.79in Weight: 1.47oz |
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AC Mains Power Adapter/Charger for Nintendo DS Lite (EU) $3.49 Highlights:Replace your faulty AC power mains charge for the Nintendo DS LiteFor use with Nintendo DS Lite onlySpecifications:Dimensions: 2.36 in x 2.95 in x 0.83 inWeight: 2.26 oz |
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US AC Mains Power Adapter for Xbox 360 Slim $39.99 HighlightsUS AC Mains Power Adapter for Xbox 360 SlimSpecificationWeight: 550gCable Length: 120cm amp; 110cmInput: AC 100 - 240V ～ 2A 47-63 HzOutput: DC 135W 12V 10.83A |
Assessing your Backup Power Supply needs
Businesses cannot rely on AC supply alone for efficient production and high quality performance. The importance of backup power supply cannot be underestimated. Businesses need to continue functioning smoothly even during power outages. Having backup supplies to power computer systems is critical for the storage and operation of critical data. Further, large corporations invest accordingly into maintaining effective backup systems that support heavy machinery as well.
Power backup systems are used across different industries such as:
- Laboratories
- Hospitals
- Telecommunication companies
- Mechanized manufacturing units
The size of the backup power supply depends on industry-specific requirements. Of late, the backup power supply systems have also crossed over to the household section. Individuals often use backup power systems at home.
Types of Backup Power Supply
Backup power supply includes power generators or stand by UPS (uninterrupted power supply). A UPS is a must-have as it lets you continue working despite power outages.
Other types of backup power supply are:
- Power generators: Installing power generators ensures constant power availability totally independent of the AC supply. These devices generate power for business operations. This, in turn, is fed into the main power supply channels through trigger and switching devices.
- UPS: These devices store power as their main reserve when the main supply is on. The UPS automatically begins supplying reserve power to all the attached equipments in case of a power outage.
Some high-end backup power supply systems use advanced technologies such as flywheel energy storage and hydrogen-fuel cells.
Backup Power Supply Technology
Backup power supply systems (specifically, the UPS) rely on three different technologies to carry out their operations:
1. Offline/standby: This is a very basic form of backup power supply. It protects the user from main supply fluctuations. It also features a voltage transient clamping device to measure main supply. When the voltage falls below a pre determined level, the UPS begins to supply reserve power. Also, standby UPS systems are not always reliable since they do not provide battery monitoring functions.
2. Line interactive: These are similar to the standby systems, but offer better quality main supply input through an advanced filtering process.
3. Online / double conversion: These high-end UPS systems can rectify noisy power environment. They have a huge power storage capacity and offer a clean input supply. This can make them highly expensive.
The backup power supply system is necessary to ensure overall performance, dependability and productivity. As an authorized dealer of top manufacturers, CyPower offers access to more than 5000 power supply units. Research, inquire and make an informed choice by visiting www.cypower.com
About the Author
CyPower.com is your one stop online store for buying AC/DC, DC/DC power supplies & converters at affordable prices.
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Taylor Digital Minute/Second Timer $1.29 Great for the kitchen, workout room, or home shop, this small digital clock/timer is useful in counting down cooking time, timing circuit training exercises, or tracking paint or wood glue drying time. No bigger than the palm of a hand, the timer is magnetized to stick to a refrigerator or stovetop or, alternatively, hangs via a clip or mounts onto a table with its wire stand. The large 0.7-inch L... |
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4 Liter AC/DC Portable Mini Fridge Cooler Warmer (White) $45.49 This mini-fridge is great for those who eat at their desk, on the road or who need a cold drink or snack close by. Healthy people who need a healthy perishable snack or meal will love this unit. The mini fridge works without any liquid refrigerants (like freon), noisy motors or messy condensation. The quiet environmentally friendly semiconductor system keeps your items cold or hot as you choose. ... |
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European Travel Water Heater $60.00 Portable Kettle features European round adapter plug as well as the optional U.S adapter plug included.... |
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Hawaii Five-O: Original Songs From The Television Series $8.71 CBS Records will release a specially-produced soundtrack for the hit television series Hawaii Five-0 on Tuesday, October 4. Hawaii Five-0: Original Songs From The Television Series features brand new and previously unreleased tracks from some of music s most popular artists including Bob Dylan, Train, Goo Goo Dolls, The Swell Season, Switchfoot, Jimmy Cliff, Ziggy Marley and ukulele virtuoso Jake ... |
Mains Power