[ale] help providing stable power to pc's to ride through storms

[Ron Frazier (ALE)]

Mike Harrison <cluon at geeklabs.com> wrote:

>On Tue, 22 May 2012, Ron Frazier (ALE) wrote:
>
>> Hi Bob,
>>
>> Based on your recommendations as well as Mike H's and Wolf's , I'm 
>> looking more into the UPS options. That may be the best solution for
>a 
>> sub $ 300 price tag. However, taking the APC Backups Pro 1500 as an 
>> example, the surge protection rating is only 354 joules. That sounds 
>> insanely low. That doesn't inspire my confidence at all using the
>thing 
>> as a surge protection device. APC's free standing premium surge 
>> protectors in the $ 50 range have ratings of 2000 - 3000 joules.
>Perhaps 
>> I should use a free standing surge protector then connect the UPS to 
>> that.
>
>
>That's probably a kJoules rating. And 360 kJoules will start your
>heart. :)

I checked the specs of the APC Back-UPS Pro 1500.  It definitely says 354 joules.

http://www.apc.com/products/resource/include/techspec_index.cfm?base_sku=BR1500G&total_watts=200

>
>I have an old religious hatred of APC UPS's.. you would also if you
>hurled 
>a smoking rack mount 3000kva APC into the dumpster, once with fire
>trucks 
>pulling up at the data center as I dragged it by the cord out the door.
>
>If you can handle 208volts or 240 volts and will put new batteries in
>it, 
>(about $125 at a good supply place) I'll give you an Eaton Powerware
>5125
>if you can pick it up in Chattanooga, or arrange transport. it's heavy.
>
>Similar to:
>http://powerquality.eaton.com/Products-services/Backup-Power-UPS/5125-rm.aspx?cx=3
>But older and 2u.
>
>Dual power in.. SNMP, requires an L6-30R receptacle

I appreciate the offer, but I have to stick to 110 V.  My only 240 V outlet is for my dryer, and it's no where near the PC's.


>
>------------------------------
>
>At home, my wife and I run laptops.. and if lightning and power surges
>are 
>such a concern, you would need an 'air gap' for everything. ethernet.. 
>cable.. power..
>

I guess I really don't know how much of a concern they should be.  I do know that I've had two garage door openers and an amplifier burned out before.  I'm pretty paranoid about my PC equipment, and I'm very leery to run it during a storm.

>Instead, run some heavy redundant grounds (against electrical code in
>some 
>places to have redundant grounds because of "ground loops") in theory, 
>they should all tie back to a common point with at least 12 gauge wire.
>Then, at your local electrical supply house (Not lowes/home depot)
>like Grainger or a contractor supply house near you, buy one of these:
>
>http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/EATON-Surge-Protector-6YTP3?Pid=search
>
>or similar. A cheap one is: < $70
>
>http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/SUPCO-Surge-Protector-5TDG2?cm_sp=IO-_-IDP-_-BTM_BTB05209020&cm_vc=IDPBBZ2
>
>Have a pro install it at the breaker panel, or, if you do it yourself,
>be 
>very very careful.

I may have to look into that.  I know traditional TVSS's eventually expire and fail because they've absorbed too much cumulative energy.  So, they have to be replaced periodically.  Is that the case with the breaker panel models too?


>
>-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
>Lastly: We have 4 more spare of those UPS's for sale, $150 each if
>picked 
>up downtown Chattanooga.
>


--

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Ron Frazier
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linuxdude AT techstarship.com