120volt versus 208volt

If you can have either, what should it be?

I always recommend 120volt. But....
Choose 208volt for dense server racks that need a lot of power. 208volt provides more Uumph per outlet. (U/o) The main disadvantages are that 208volt units are more money and not all computer equipment can run on 208volt .

However, APC disagrees. Their white paper makes an argument for increased efficiency by going to 208volt . While it is true that units draw less current (amps) when you increased voltage (from 120v to 208) and hence cause less heat... its a paltry amount.

I told a customer recently, that I bet him leaving the light on in the server room causes more heat loss than the savings from 208volt to 120v. I suspect I will get an email from someone shortly proving me wrong.

Two Units or One - balancing your UPS needs

I get this a lot, and I am sure APC says to buy 1 large unit. They always recommend the most expensive option.

APC and other tech people approach it as a technical decision. Yes, one flawless unit that never fails that is supplied by two power inputs like this 30kva unit recently sold is great. One central unit simplifies design, management and looks cool.
But...

I approach the decision as a small business owner and a guy that signs the checks.

Price – Two 5000va units cost $2200. One 10,000va costs $2600. (actually I need to raise that price more to make my point clearer)

Flexibility and Growth – Having two offers more configuration options. Further as you grow, you can upgrade in stages … like buying another 5000va unit.

A dumptruck of batteries OR a generator?

APC has a white paper on everything including the esoteric “Deploying High-Density Zones in a Low-Density Data Center”. But today's discussion is about when to a get a generator versus just keep adding more batteries.

APC says:

the point where a generator begins to have a cost advantage over extended run batteries for a typical 2 kW system is over an hour. When a typical 12 kW system is considered, this point becomes closer to 20 minutes.

When you consider our low prices on UPS battery cabinets and our high prices on electrical service and generators... I would go with the cabinets.

My final point is that one of our Caribbean customers wanted a ups instead of a generator and promptly bought a Symmetra system but then added an array of 32 car batteries.

Preventive Maintenance Contracts and the Nano fiber cloth

Here is another post that I am going to regret.

I dont like PM contracts. Maybe because I am too cheap or too much of a gambler. Ironically, both statements are false... but I still hate PM contracts.

We often get asked to give them in our UPS and electrical business. However, my lack of actuary prowess causes me to way over bid or underbid these ventures.

I think most people can do their own PM. Reading some of the things that PM contractors offer include led to see this gem from one of the big guys.

"The following services are included in our annual service:

<> Clean display with a soft nano fiber cloth”

What the hell is a nano fiber cloth?

Once I learn that and find where to buy one... then we'll start doing PM contracts. Until then use your own shirt sleeve and call me in the morning.

New UPS species found... not unlike the mexican staring frog of southern sri lanka

I know APC has a lot of models. But this creature is pretty cool. Its a 3000va 3U ups that accepts either 120, 208, 230, etc and seems to output 120volt. Its technical name is Smartups Americanus R2X167.

Its not up for sale yet, but maybe I will release it back to the wild later....

Learn more about the frog or the ups

APC units Made in America ONGOING

This week I had a call from a company that wanted to buy UPSes made in america.

Like everything today, I think thats impossible. But in light of the economic climate, I owe it to my customers to find out. This will be an ongoing post:

UNITS:
<> APC - all new units - made in Philippines?
<> APC - SU* models - made in Rhode Island


BATTERIES:
<> Powersonic - made in china
<> Yuasa - made in china
???

Difference between ...XLI and ... XLT models

APC's high voltage products come in 2 types. The first is the 208volt standard. The other is the international 230volt standard. Most 208v units are designated with a "T" in the part #... SURTD5000XLT. Most 230v units are designated with a "I" such as SURT5000XLI.

The problem is that high voltage in the US is not always 208v. Homeowners wanting highvoltage UPSes need 240volt. Some businesses also only have 240volt.

The good news is that in most cases, these units can be set to accept any voltage from 190 to 260. Further, most high voltage equipment can take 200-250v without a problem.

So while most people in the states should take the "T" version, its not a problem choosing the "I" version.

CAUTION: The only problem is if you need a stepdown transformer. 208volts units step down to 120. 230volt units step down to 126volt.

I am sick of 2U requests

I understand the nature of my business is to serve customers and answer all calls. But, after an 11pm call from a guy in Washington tonight, I might want to rethink my policy.... well probably not.

The guy started out telling me that he had to have a several SUA3000RM2U units. I told him that I didnt recommend this unit and asked him some questions on why he would choose that unit.

Instead of listening to me, he kept telling me that it had to be this unit or else. Finally, I gave up and told him to buy from somewhere else.

I really hate the SUA3000RM2U unit. IMO its poorly made, overheats, provides minimal runtime time, and since its private labelled as a Dell DL3000RM2U, it was made to last just as long as the servers.

However, since I am tired of arguing with people on this, I will shut up and take these orders. But, for those wanting a good system, choose the DL3000RM3U instead of the SUA/DL3000RM2U.

New Room UPS Units Available

After a couple of installations, I have fallen in love with the APC Symmetra PX system. This UPS is for large server centers (20-40kva).

Besides the normal specs on a $40,000 UPS, APC seems to have designed the Symmetra PX with electricians in mine. It includes a very large accessible input and output connection section designed for Burndy hypress connections. The breakers are sized responsibly (input 175amp on 40kva). Finally with built in power factor correction, the UPS achieves 40kw and 40kva. The only drawback is that the cant handle 3phase HiLeg systems that are prevalent down here.

Anyway, take a peak at our Room UPSes for Symmetra PXs.

Modular UPS units from APC

As I returned from a nice long vacation sailing in BVI (its great to have friends that are doctors), I found several APC modular UPS systems waiting for me.

The SUM3000RMXL2U units have two trays inside them for batteries and power management. Ideally, you can replace the power module as easily as batteries.

Is this feature necessary?

So I started googling... and a few people mentioned the ability to replace the module would prevent having to disconnect all the cables, network managers, etc if the unit fails. Having personally gone through the hassle of a new deployment of UPSes every week in our service business, maybe it is worth it.

But then the let down... APC replacement power modules are only available from APC. One guy lamented that they were at 1 point 2 months in backorder... yikes.

Anyway, for most people, I still wouldnt recommend the SUM..2U. The SU3000RMXL3U is cheaper and has longer battery life, but the SUM is on sale for those that demand it.