1500va, 2200va, and 3000va .... LIES, LIES, LIES

As we have discussed before, 1500va is 1500 volt-amps.
Volt amps are an absolute real technical value... however in the UPS world volt amps is a nominal or descriptive term.

As an example... APC's 1500va unit is actually a 1440va unit and APC's 2200va is a 1920va unit 
Why the mis-naming?

2 Reasons:

• Marketing - bigger numbers sound better
• Technical - with modifications you can achieve the full VA rating.

I'll pass on the Marketing reason for now and focus on the technical

Look at the following picture from the back of an APC SUA2200.  It shows the Max Output for 2200 and 3000 va UPS based on the Input Plug

As you can see, if you buy a SUA2200 with its standard 520P 20A plug, it will only provide 1920va worth of power.   If you put a 30amp plug on the unit, it will give you the full 2200va rating.  If you put a 15amp plug, you get a 1440va unit.

All of this is because a 20amp electrical circuit cant really give you 20amps. National electrical codes and guidelines suggest a maximum 80% rating for a circuit.   That means your 1500 (15a) is a 1440va and your 3000 (30a) is only a 2880va.  

So thats one of the reasons why you will see our 2200va units including the SUA2200 (200b) get a L530P plug.  Its not that we are smarter than APC, but just a bit more honest.

3 Choices now for Symmetra LX Systems

As the leading provider of refurbished Symmetra systems, we have released 2 new versions of our popular Symmetra LX Models

The GOLD version offers our customers FREE assembly and onsite startup plus a battery upgrade.

The PLATINUM version offers of customers assembly, startup, high rate batteries PLUS includes 2 new never used Power Modules and 2 year warranty.

These offerings allow us to meet the needs of customers that want a Symmetra they can depend on... instead of buying those used, hand-me-down that proliferate the web.

Learn more at these 12kva models:  sylx12G  & sylx12P

Understanding Voltage Specifications for Equiping

Frequently we gets requests to provide a transformer or a UPS for a certain piece of equipment.  For many reasons, manufacturers tend to be very curt with the electrical or UPS requirements on their brochures.  What information they do provide can be cyptic.

One area of frustration is matching the voltage of equipment.  Here are some voltage expressions and what the

Type of Voltage	Domain	# of Wires	Comments
120	Residential, Commercial	3	Your standard household power
208	Commercial	3	Created from a 3phase source. Standard "IT" voltage
240	Residential, Commercial	3	Also called Delta, because each wire is 120v, creating 240volt across the system. Large machines and your Oven uses this power.
240	Commercial	3	Also called a High leg. Its a single wire of 240v with a neutral and a ground. Caution when working with it.
120/240	Residential, Commercial	4	Split phase system with a separate neutral and ground. Your house panel has this system.
120/208	Commercial	4	Split phase commercial.
120/208/240	Anywhere	3/4	Not a system, but a designation usually meaning it takes any high voltage system (208v, 240, 120/240, etc)
220	No where	?	The stuff of fairy tales

Notice, there is NO 220volt in this country.  Its a commonly used term to describe the average high voltage power, but it does not exist in nature.

Awesome Alternatives to APC Units

While many customers are familiar with APC units, many times the other big guys offer better value or performance.

In a new series called, Awesome Alternatives, we explore some of these match ups.

The first in the series is the Powerware 1500 versus the SmartUPS 1500 unit

 versus 

Updated PDU and Surge Sections

I know I have been lazy on not keeping up the inventory reports on the Eaton Protector(R) Surge Suppressors... but that its been fixed.  The new pages has real photos, better condition notes and easy BuyItNow click buttons.

Also, the PDU section has expanded.  I have included some more metered and switched units as well as a 3phase type.  Enjoy.

  

Desperately seeking SYBT5s... APC global distribution out of stock

As a small business owner, its often fun to see the big guys fail miserably.  This week it was Schneider Electric's turn.  Their very popular Symmetra LX battery pack went out of stock last week.  No one had one.

Distributors, APC Reps, and service providers were scrambling.  Their supply of the most popular battery pack was stuck on a boat halfway from China.  Systems were failing and NO ONE could do anything.  APC made it even worse by the Chip protection that prevents most people from simply swapping the internal batteries in the pack. 

Of course this led to some robust sales for us last week.  While we dont normally sell Symmetra parts, some major companies asked us for help.   So we shipped several refurbished SYBT5s overnight to Universities and Fortune 500 companies.  

Almost as good as Chocolate and Peanut Butter... our Rack + UPS combos

Hey you got your chocolate in my peanut butter.   No you got your peanut butter in my chocolate...

Well maybe not as iconic as that combo, but UPS units with Network cabinets is just as a perfect fit.  We start off with 2 based on some recent requests from our customers. 

The first was built to clean up a customer' crazy server cabinet. They had a voice mail server and a phone system nestled on a old printer cart in a coat closet.  Now with the QUC1422 Combo they have a nice looking system they can proud of

The second was to handle a friend's DVR video surveillance system.  He needed an attractive package for his customer.  Presto the QUC1822 was born.  Combining the extended run Tripplite 2200va UPS with the lockable cabinet made for successful and clean installation.  Plus 8hrs backup time closed the deal.

View both and more future combinations here

Wesworth Venture Number XI: Solar-Gro

Frequent followers know Wesworth seems to do alot of different things.

We started with simple electric, added energy savings systems,  bucket truck services, motor control, UPSes, lighting fixtures, a California branch, B2B power quality, contract engineering, metal fabrication, and now Solar power systems.

And like many of other previous ventures (Infinergy, NightOwl, ITSpm, Neg-a-Watt, Greenlight, 415UPS, 2ndGrid, GreenlightLABS) this one has its on catchy name... Solar-Gro.

Solar-Gro is a partnership with our friends at the Urban Farmer in Pompano to sell a solar panel kit for a farming system called Verti-Gro.  We are just beginning production, but its an exciting niche to service as solar is becoming more attractive.

Learn more about our friends at the Urban Farmer at their site... and more about Solar-Gro project at www.YourSolar-Gro.com  (coming soon)

3phase Power Misconceptions: Circuit Watts

Recently, we have been recommending more 3phase power solutions for people.  Frequently, the mere mention of a 3phase UPS creates fear and confusion.  Part of the problem is that 3phase UPS units were expensive to buy and even more expensive to maintain.  We still have business affiliates that make most of their money on service contacts on these older beasts.

Today's 3phase is cheaper, expandable, and near maintenance free.  But before you make the jump to the Symmetra PX 40... lets consider one aspect of 3phase.... CIRCUIT WATTS

• 3phase is a method delivering power... what it ultimately delivers is still watts.  There is no difference between a 3phase phase watt and single phase watt.
• Since watts are a result of volts x amps.... if you need more watts you must increase voltage and or amps.
• And since your amperage is fixed at your panel or building, upping voltage is the best way to get more watts.
• But if you are already running at high voltage and amperage is maxed... your only option is to goto 3phase.

Consider a 30amp circuit to a rack.  Notice how upping the voltage and phase delivers more watts or power.

• At 120volt... your 30amp circuit provides 2.88kw
• At 208volt... the 30amp circuit provides 4.99kw
• At 3phase 208v... that same circuit provides 8.64kw

Just this one aspect gives you a glimpse of why 3phase power is seen by IT providers as the more effective way of delivering the wattage you need to your IT system.

UPS and Electrical Ideas for Colocation Center

Since we offer affordable racks, UPSes, accessories AND have a state license in electrical... many customers ask us for advice on various IT projects.

This week, we put together some thoughts on setting up a colo rack.   Unlike a personal or commercial server system, a Colo center needs full automated control and monitoring and scalability for several clients.   This location had a generator, so they only need 5-10mins of uptime.

This simple design begins with a 25U rack and outlines the electrical, UPS and PDU features needed.  The full details are here in our library and large pix here

Some of the equipment suggested.... about $1600

• UPS - 3000va 120v - (302b)
• PDU Backplate Option - (plate2l30)
• PDU - 30amp 120v - (dm230)
• Bypass - 30am 120v - (sbp3k)
• Cabinet - 25U - (rk25t)