Here are some of the most common power problems from utility power and the likely effect on sensitive equipment. Solutions for each power issue are listed below each common issue.
Common Power Problems
Power Surges
A power surge takes place when the voltage is 110% or more above normal. The most common cause is heavy electrical equipment being turned off. Under these conditions, computer systems and other high tech equipment can experience flickering lights, equipment shutoff, errors or memory loss.
Possible Solutions: Surge Suppressors, Voltage Regulators, Uninterruptable Power Supplies, Power Conditioners
High-Voltage Spikes
High-voltage spikes occur when there is a sudden voltage peak of up to 6,000 volts. These power problems are usually the result of nearby lightning strikes, but there can be other causes as well. The effects on vulnerable electronic systems can include loss of data and burned circuit boards.
Possible Solutions: Surge Suppressors, Voltage Regulators, Uninterruptable Power Supplies, Power Conditioners
Did You Know?Voltage Regulators and Power Conditioners can be separate instruments but both Line Interactive UPS and Online Double-Conversion UPS provide some level of built-in power conditioning. Line Interactive UPS systems also have automatic voltage regulation (AVR). Online double-conversion UPS provides 100% power conditioning, zero transfer time to battery, no change in output voltage and better transient suppression than line interactive UPS. |
Transients
Transients are potentially the most damaging type of power quality disturbance that you may encounter. Transients fall into 2 categories.
- Impulsive
- Oscillatory
Possible Solutions: Surge Suppressors, Voltage Regulators, Uninterruptable Power Supplies, Power Conditioners
Frequency Variation
A frequency variation involves a change in frequency from the normally stable utility frequency of 50 or 60 Hz, depending on your geographic location. This may be caused by erratic operation of emergency generators or unstable frequency power sources. For sensitive equipment, the results can be data loss, program failure, equipment lock-up or complete shut down.
Possible Solutions: Voltage Regulators, Power Conditioners
Power Sag
A sag is the reduction of AC Voltage at a given frequency for the duration of 0.5 cycles to 1 minute’s time. Sages are usually caused by system faults, and often the result of switching on loads with high demand startup currents.
Possible Solutions: Voltage Regulators, Uninterruptable Power Supplies, Power Conditioners
Electrical Line Noise
Electrical line noise is defined as Radio Frequency Interference (RFI) and Electromagnetic Interference (EMI) and causes unwanted effects in the circuits of computer systems. Sources of the problems include motors, relays, motor control devices, broadcast transmissions, microwave radiation, and distant electrical storms. RFI, EMI and other frequency problems can cause equipment to lock-up, and data error or loss.
Possible Solutions: Voltage Regulators, Uninterruptable Power Supplies, Power Conditioners
Brownouts
A brownout is a steady lower voltage state. An example of a brownout is what happens during peak electrical demand in the summer, when utilities can’t always meet the requirements and must lower the voltage to limit maximum power. When this happens, systems can experience glitches, data loss and equipment failure.
Possible Solutions: Voltage Regulators, Uninterruptable Power Supplies, Power Conditioners
Blackouts
A power failure or blackout is a zero-voltage condition that lasts for more than two cycles. It may be caused by tripping a circuit breaker, power distribution failure or utility power failure. A blackout can cause data loss or corruption and equipment damage.
Possible Solutions: Generators