Power Quality Understanding Effective Solutions Presented by YOUR NAME HERE

© 2001 POWERVAR, Inc. What is power quality all about? b First, it’s about understanding the needs of the electronic system and it’s user What type of power disturbances affect the system that’s being installed?What type of power disturbances affect the system that’s being installed? How does the system react to power disturbances?How does the system react to power disturbances? What happens to the user when a power problem affects the system?What happens to the user when a power problem affects the system?

© 2001 POWERVAR, Inc. What is power quality all about? b It’s about not wasting resources Installing the correct power quality solutionInstalling the correct power quality solution Not spending money unnecessarilyNot spending money unnecessarily Not loosing money during the warranty period or after the system is on service contractNot loosing money during the warranty period or after the system is on service contract Maintaining system uptime so that your customer can accomplish what he hoped to accomplish when he installed the systemMaintaining system uptime so that your customer can accomplish what he hoped to accomplish when he installed the system

© 2001 POWERVAR, Inc. Where We Were The Technology/Environment Matrix Low Tech Environment High Tech Environment Low Tech Hardware High Tech Hardware

© 2001 POWERVAR, Inc. Where We Were The Technology/Environment Matrix Low Tech Environment High Tech Environment Low Tech Hardware High Tech Hardware

© 2001 POWERVAR, Inc. Where We Are The Technology/Environment Matrix Low Tech Environment High Tech Environment Low Tech Hardware High Tech Hardware

© 2001 POWERVAR, Inc. How do we get here? Where We Want To Be The Technology/Environment Matrix Low Tech Environment High Tech Environment Low Tech Hardware High Tech Hardware

© 2001 POWERVAR, Inc. Getting Where We Want To Be b We must understand what kind of electrical power today’s systems want to see. b First, we must understand how systems have evolved. b Today’s technology has different power requirements than yesterday’s systems.

© 2001 POWERVAR, Inc. Old Technology b Didn’t much care about noise or neutral to ground (common mode) voltage b Needed stable voltage b No voltage impulses b Easily protected with our “old friend” the dedicated circuit.

© 2001 POWERVAR, Inc. Dedicated Electrical Circuits A Low Technology Environment Sub Panel Main Panel

© 2001 POWERVAR, Inc. Dedicated Electrical Circuits A Low Technology Environment b Primary function was to prevent other loads from affecting the nominal voltage of the circuit powering the computer (sags and swells) b Secondary benefit was physical separation of the computer from noise sources b This was effective only because of the relatively low state of the technology

© 2001 POWERVAR, Inc. New Technology b Doesn’t much mind if voltage varies over a wide range b Needs power that is free of transient impulses and noise b Doesn’t like neutral to ground (common mode voltage) b May need continuous power for servers, hosts, muxes, etc.

© 2001 POWERVAR, Inc. What New Technology Sees Main Panel Sub Panel

© 2001 POWERVAR, Inc. Protecting Modern Technology b Dedicated Circuits b Voltage Regulators b Surge Diverters b Noise Filters b Uninterruptible Power Supplies

© 2001 POWERVAR, Inc. Surge Diverters

© 2001 POWERVAR, Inc. Surge Diverters b Basic protection for catastrophic events b Convert normal mode (damaging events) into common mode (degrading and disruptive events) b Seldom effective for electrical disturbances smaller than volts

© 2001 POWERVAR, Inc. Surge Diverters/Noise Filters

© 2001 POWERVAR, Inc. Surge Diverter/Noise Filters b Divert both high energy-high frequency and low energy-high frequency power disturbances away from the computer b Convert normal mode to common mode b Performance is very unpredictable -- sometimes cause more problems than they solve

© 2001 POWERVAR, Inc. Even a UPS is no Guarantee UPS

© 2001 POWERVAR, Inc. UPS Systems b Come in a variety of flavors (sine wave, square wave, modified wave) WATCH OUT! b Primarily a tool for providing backup power b Can be a complete power quality tool if properly selected. However, expect to pay a premium price. Remember -- YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR!

© 2001 POWERVAR, Inc. What is Really Needed? b A device that combines surge diversion and noise filtration with elements to prevent the occurrence of neutral to ground (common mode) voltage b Such a device is called a low impedance power conditioner or a low impedance, power conditioned UPS

© 2001 POWERVAR, Inc. The Power Conditioner A properly designed power conditioner will allow less than ten volts of a power disturbance to reach the system in normal mode (hot to neutral) and less than 1/2 volt to appear between neutral and ground (common mode).

© 2001 POWERVAR, Inc. Voltage Let-Through is Important b 10 volt and 1/2 volt specifications were recommended by the semiconductor industry as long ago as 1986 b Most surge protectors, filter devices, and UPS products have let-through voltages of 330 volts or more in both modes b These devices may prevent outright destruction but can’t prevent degradation or disruption

© 2001 POWERVAR, Inc. Ask Yourself b Off all our service calls, –How often do we replace destroyed boards? –How often do we replace malfunctioning boards that have no apparent damage? –How often do we respond to customer calls for which there is no problem found –How often does the customer report such things as system lock-up, garbage files, and other system operation problems?

© 2001 POWERVAR, Inc. Three Points to Remember b Non-destructive power disturbances are far more common than destructive ones b Non-destructive power disturbances cause component wear and tear and system disruption. b Surge protectors, noise filters, and most UPS systems do nothing but allow most power disturbances to reach the computer

© 2001 POWERVAR, Inc. Effective Protection b A low impedance power conditioner that contains an isolation transformer, surge diverter, and noise filter or b An uninterruptible power supply that contains the same three protection elements b Either solution will provide total control of the AC power interface with the computer

© 2001 POWERVAR, Inc. By now you’re wanting to know.. If this is the answer to all our problems, why are we still using dedicated circuits?

© 2001 POWERVAR, Inc. Why? b Most systems now consist of one or more networked components. b The data cables that connect the different components together can create “ground loops” within the system. b “Isolated grounding” conductors attempt to minimize ground loops by keeping safety ground impedance very low.

© 2001 POWERVAR, Inc. Dedicated/Isolated Circuits b In addition, most installers try to ensure that all dedicated/isolated circuits for a single system are fed from the same transformer phase and the same panel. b Ground loops must be prevented to ensure that power disturbances do not enter the data cabling subsystem.

© 2001 POWERVAR, Inc. Otherwise this is what happens Main Panel Sub Panel

© 2001 POWERVAR, Inc. Are there other alternatives? b New patented technology combines power conditioning with special elements to prevent “ground loop” formation b These special elements prevent power disturbances and noise currents from entering data cabling from the electrical system grounding conductors

© 2001 POWERVAR, Inc. Ground Guard TM Power and Ground Conditioner Data Cable Ground

© 2001 POWERVAR, Inc. Ground Guard Conditioners b Provide all the functions of normal low impedance power conditioners -- surge diversion, noise filter, and isolation transformer b Prevent ground currents and power disturbances from entering the data cabling subsystem b Prevent formation of ground loops

© 2001 POWERVAR, Inc. Ground Guard Conditioners b Eliminate the need for dedicated/isolated electrical circuits b Eliminate the requirement for same transformer, same phase wiring techniques b Eliminate the hassle, time, and expense associated with special wiring

© 2001 POWERVAR, Inc. What About UPSs b UPS products should still be used to provide reserve power for servers, muxes, hubs, etc. b UPS systems should be sine wave and either contain power conditioning elements or be installed with a power conditioner attached

© 2001 POWERVAR, Inc. What about existing installations? b Power conditioners can be added to existing installations and UPS systems

© 2001 POWERVAR, Inc. Where We’ve Arrived The Technology/Environment Matrix Low Tech Environment High Tech Environment Low Tech Hardware High Tech Hardware

© 2001 POWERVAR, Inc. Effective Power Quality Solutions b Reduce service costs by eliminating no problem found service calls, failed boards, and destroyed systems b Make happier customers and more productive field engineers b Increase revenue and expedite installations by eliminating electrical contractors

© 2001 POWERVAR, Inc. Effective Power Quality Solutions Ensure that today’s high technology systems are installed in a high technology electrical environment. Ensure that today’s high technology systems are installed in a high technology electrical environment.

© 2001 POWERVAR, Inc.