April 23, 2010

Stepping UP and stepping out... transformer

Another good question came from a customer today...
He has a 120volt 3000va UPS, but needs to power a 208volt piece of equipment.

While step DOWN transformers and booster transformers are commonly made by UPS manufacturers... Oddly, a pure step UP unit is not made.  Theoretically, you could break up the transformer and rewire it, but that's pretty messy.
 
So, the real solution....
Use an electrical distribution type transformer.  This device would plug into your UPS unit and then output 208volt power. 


However, the BUTs...
Its very easy to overload a 120volt UPS + step up system... Remember if your 208v load uses 5amps (1040va) at 208v, that means your 120volt UPS will be using nearly 9amps.   In other words, adding that step Up transformer, nearly cuts in half of the capacity of your 120volt UPS.

April 7, 2010

Going Off the Rail

Most of our UPS units are being sold for 4 post rack systems.  So many people ask why I don't include them in my listings...
Your first thought might be that I am cheap and want to get you for more money.  While not completely wrong (at least I am honest), there are other reasons.  1) Most of my competitors don't  2) Most UPS units fit nicely on the floor of the server racks and 3) I really hate APC cheezy racks.

That APC SU032A adjustable rack set sucks.  Its flimsy, has poorly threaded screw holes, uses the cheapest screws and has about 10" of 1/2" lip for the UPS.  The other 20" has no lip for the UPS to rest on.  Some magical clip is supposed to hold it in place.
Look at it, its really junk.
So... what are you supposed to do?

  1. Buy the cheapy APC rack set from me and pray  (~30$ set)
  2. Find the Tripplite UPS rack set.  Better and stronger (250lb rated)   (~60$ set)
  3. Find a rack shelf.  APC makes a decent one (~100$) 
  4. Find APC's real rack rails  (now used for the Symmetra) (~200$)