480volt UPS Solutions

Last month we talked about people using their home's 240volt power to operate 208volt UPS systems.  In that case customers could choose a 240volt UPS or buy a buck transformer to lower voltage to 208v.

In the case of 277/480volt power, the problem is the same, the solution a bit different.

Taking the 277volt line and powering a 208volt UPS with it will cause the UPS to immediately start shedding the power.  Yes the specs say it can take 189-294volts, but it is not designed to do this continuously.

Option 1 is to transform the entire load from 3phase 277/480volt down to 120/208.   This is expensive and requires a 300lb transformer (assuming a 10kva ups).  With the transformer, freight, and electrical work, this can cost over $3000.

Our recommendation, is to use a buck transformer and step down from 277 to 240volt.  Since, you cant simply buck all the way down to 208volt, you need a 240volt UPS.   This smaller transformer fits in a 3U rack cabinet and costs under $400.   Call us for the exact price based on your size

Either way, these are much cheaper solutions than trying to buy a 480volt UPS.

Fun fact... go to the APC Selector by load and ask for a 5000va UPS with 277/480volt power, put in 10mins and 10% expansion... and the selector spits out a $99,600 UPS solution

We're Savy with Zavee

 GreenlightUPS and Wesworth Electric, Inc have joined the Zavee Social Network Merchant group.

As a local business startup, Zavee promises to make shopping.. simple, local and social.  In practice, Zavee offers businesses an opportunity to create an automatic loyalty program, pay per transaction sales leads, and seamless purchase processing.  Learn more about about Zavee at their site.

Now that we are part of Zavee, Zavee members get automatic rewards by buying with us.  Look for GreenlightUPS, in the computer services category for our offers.

November WrapUp

Heavy month for blogging...

We learned the limits of high voltage systems and surge protection.  We gave you advice on types of 3phase UPSes, home network upses, and whether to repair or replace smaller units.  Finally, we announced our partnership with nuBarter.

Mea Culpa Dixi - Slow shipping

A new series begins... Mea Culpa Dixi  (My faults spoken and settled)
In this occasional blog, I will address a complaint or disappointment that has come up and explain my position.

Complaint #1 - Slow Shipping
Your order a unit, but may not arrive for 14 days.

Absolutely true and I am truly sorry for the delay.  but here are the facts.

When we receive an order it goes through these steps.

1. Invoices & work ticket printed
2. Shipping arrangements researched & booked
3. Unit is pulled from inventory
4. Batteries are loaded, unit is charged
5. Unit is tested, Unit is cleaned, Unit is recharged
6. Unit is packed on a palleted and freight company is contacted
7. Freight is picked up and shipped to a local freight terminal
8. Freight company delivers freight
   

While sometimes this process can take 3 days, it more often takes close to 10 days.   Yet,  several problems during the process  including a non commercial address on order (during step 2),  low inventory of batteries (in step 4), unit fails testing (step 5); or the shipper doesn't have a phone number for delivery (in step 8) can add many days to the process.

We wish we were a large outfit that had Amazon.com efficiency, but we aren't.  One of our goals in 2010 is to streamline the process and get orders out faster.

For those that have been disappointed with the fulfillment times, we are sorry... mea culpa, Dixi

-Bob

TVSS, SPD, SAD, UL 3rd Edition and other muck

In addition to UPS devices, GreenlightUPS is increasingly selling panel mount surge suppressors.

Or so we thought....

Actually, those strange science monks at Underwriter's Laboratory have renamed our gadgets and they are no longer called Surge Suppressors, or Transient Voltage Surge Suppressors, but Surge Protection Devices.
Plus as an added bonus, UL and ANSI have changed many of the requirements and guidelines for SPDs.

What does this mean to the rest of us that put our pants on 1 leg at a time?

All panel mount surge gizmos are going to cost alot more.

Our lines of UL 2nd Edition Eaton Protectors(R), Sycom's SP, and CHSP Micro surge gizmos are no longer approved for new installations.   They obviously still work fine and you dont need to rip out your old ones.  And unless you or your company keeps up with ISO900x, ROHS, ANSI/IEEE, GLBA 501(b), or the 2007/2 EC INSPIRE directives.... these less expensive models are fine.  

But if you do need the latest, we still have our premium quality 3rd Ed Eaton Protector starting at $800 for a simple home mount.

 I dont really understand whats better in the 3rd edition anyway.

UPSes for your home theatre

I get many requests for UPSes for home theatre systems.  And while normally, i dont like to turn away business, most UPSes I have arent designed for that application.

APC actually makes a special UPS for home theatres.  The APC AV collection is impressive, but is very similar to an APC SmartUPS 1500.

Both AV & SmartUPS have:

• power conditioning features
• battery backup
• IEEE EMI filtering
• True sine wave power

However, they differ on 2 points.

• Surge protection (3360 joules versus 500) [but these are both too low to act as real protection IMHO]
• Noise  (AV has a silent fan, the APC Smartups have a fan)

So in summary, to me the fan is not that big of an issue.  But if you have a $10k sound system and nano sound attenuated seat cushions, then splurge on the AV for the extra $150, if not feal free to buy mine

Why do you sell mostly APC brand UPS?

Nearly 90% of our inventory is APC.  Not russian brand armored personal carriers... but APC - American Power Conversion
Why? 3 reasons:
1) In the 1kva to 5kva market,(where GreenlightUPS specializes) it has a well over a 50% market share*.
2) It has the greatest brand recognition among consumers and small businesses
and 3) It has poor service & support* meaning many units are scrapped because of minor issues and end up at my door to be restored instead of being repaired.

For my business and for my customers, this arrangement is fine. You pay a reduced price for a product you are familiar with.

There is no S.U.R.G.E in a UPS

Well actually, there is a little, but its not worth trusting your expensive IT equipment to it.

A cheap power strip selling for $7 offers nearly the same amount of surge arresting protection as the $1700 APC Smart UPS 3000va UPS.

versus




In the mickey mouse world of plug in surge suppressors, the strip has 770 joules and APC ups has 880 joules.  While you'll learn what all that means here, to me the main point is that whether you can trust your plug in strip for serious protection.  If you dont then why would trust your UPS for surge protection.

If you are like me, a surge strip is an extension cord, and i wouldn't trust for anything critical or expensive.

Your solution... buy a hardwired, panel mount surge suppressor.  We have good ones here at our store.

UPSes for home base servers using standard outlets

If you are operating a home based business, and nned a business grade UPS for your server at home it is important to remember the 3 characteristics of UPS in choosing the right one.

First is voltage.  Do NOT use anything other than 120volt UPSes.  Yes, there are ways to use high voltage in your home, but the costs are alot more.

Second is VA or volt amps.  As previously mentioned this is the Power Capacity of the UPS or how much stuff you can plug into it.  UPSes come in a range of VAs: 1500va, 2200, 3000, 5000, etc.  Since if you only have a standard 15amp household plug, your maximum VA will be 1800 (120v x 15a), no matter if you buy a larger rated UPS.

So why buy anything larger than a 1800va?  Because of the Third feature... Battery capacity
Battery Capacity, expressed in VAH is the amount of battery juice that allows the ups to run without power. Typically, the larger the UPS's VA the larger the VAH.  So while your UPS may be limited to 1800va, you can still get the benefits of the units, larger VAH. 

So what UPSes do I recommend for home based networks using a standard outlet?  My first choice is the (215) 220va 5U XL ups.  It offers a compact frame that can be put in a A frame rack or turned on its side for a tower.  Plus it offers the XL feature, which allows for more runtime.  Plus the standard 30amp plug can be changed at no charge to accommodate your 15amp plug.   However, any of the 2200va units can work best.

What type of Powersonic Batteries do you use - Gotcha Moment

I got this question last week and it interested me that my customer was curious my thoughts on high rate batteries.

Yes, Powersonic makes two lines of SLA batteries: the regular (PS) and hi rate batteries (PSH).  And Yes, WeBob uses the less expensive PS line of batteries, even though the PSH would be better.

However, in my defense, my competitors wouldnt even think of using the high rate batteries.  They are much more expensive.  My competitors use mostly private label batteries that they would say are specially designed for UPS units.  And some even say High Rate.

As a purchasing agent and manufacturer's sourcer in previous lives, I can tell you its about price and competition.

Having a battery manufacturer special make your battery to specs that exceed their own product lines would be very expensive. Having them make them in regular fresh stock cycles would be impossible.  However putting your sticker (aka private labeling) on a low cost battery is much more feasible and likely.

APC sells millions of batteries... and they do the sticker trick.  Do you really think UPSunitsCheapontheWeb.com makes a special hi rate UPS battery for their units....

Bottomline,  we are proud to use Powersonic brand, even if it is their cheaper line.  Our distributor gets them fresh, sells them cheap and moves thousands fast.