[NMLUG] OT: UPS Questions

[Jody Harris]

It's worth noting that having a dedicated set of circuits for computers 
with a line-conditioning UPS will greatly reduce the number of 
computer/component failures as well as reduce the software/data related 
problems that will occur with your hardware.

Add the estimated reduced downtime to the reduced hardware costs, and 
you might be able to show a 18 month-2 year payout on the investment.

jody

Ed Heron wrote:
> From: Tim Emerick
> 
> 
>>Hey Gang.  Sorry for the off-topic question but I really respect the
>>input from this group.
>>
>>I am looking at purchasing 50-60 small UPS's to put on each of our
>>computers here at the office.  Power is a little sketchy and with folks
>>pluggin in space heaters left and right it seems to do wacky things to
>>the PC's.
> 
> 
>   Considering space heaters can use 1500watts or more, there isn't
> much left for your computers.  I run into this problem in the winter, all
> of the time.  The space heaters are causing brown-outs from the
> perspective of the computers.  There are several ways of handling this.
> 
>   One, close business.  People are never going to care that their space
> heater is causing problems.  Give it up and go home.  OK, this choice
> is a non-choice, but I gotta throw it out there as a general expression of
> frustration with my users.
> 
>   Two, turn up heat and outlaw/confiscate space heaters.  This is the
> most immediate solution.  Unfortunately, I bet a car dealership is a
> very drafty place.  Even heating is probably a problem and I don't
> know how much additional heating is going to cost.
> 
>   Three, rewire office so there are dedicated computer circuits.  Use
> orange plugs so people can see the difference.  Tell them they can only
> plug computer equipment into the orange outlets.  Occasionally, perform
> spot audits to verify compliance.  This choice assumes the power issue
> is not a systemic building issue and only exists on some circuits.  This
> can be expensive, but is long lasting.
> 
>   Four, buy inexpensive UPS's.  I'm pretty sure low-end UPS's switch
> completely when a brown-out occurs, so they will probably be switching
> often.  During extended brown-outs, the UPS may stay on battery for
> long periods, which could conceivably exhaust the battery.  The UPS
> purchasing process would have to be repeated about every 3-5 years.
> 
>   Five, install a single large conditioner/UPS or a series of mid-range ones
> and wire the computer outlets from this UPS location.  I think this is the
> best solution, albeit probably the most expensive.  It incorporates option
> three and four and the associated costs.
> 
>   No matter which option you choose, one of these, or an alternative one,
> it is probably going to involve much banging of heads, primarily yours.
> 
>   Good Luck!
> 
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