Power QualityPower Quality
Understanding Effective Understanding Effective SolutionsSolutions
Presented by Presented by YOUR NAME YOUR NAME HEREHERE
© 2001 POWERVAR, Inc.
What is power quality all What is power quality all about?about?
First, it’s about understanding the First, it’s about understanding the needs of the electronic system and needs of the electronic system and it’s userit’s user• What type of power disturbances affect What type of power disturbances affect
the system that’s being installed?the system that’s being installed?• How does the system react to power How does the system react to power
disturbances?disturbances?• What happens to the user when a power What happens to the user when a power
problem affects the system?problem affects the system?
© 2001 POWERVAR, Inc.
What is power quality all What is power quality all about?about?
It’s about not wasting resourcesIt’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 Not loosing money during the warranty
period or after the system is on service period or after the system is on service contractcontract
• Maintaining system uptime so that your Maintaining system uptime so that your customer can accomplish what he hoped to customer can accomplish what he hoped to accomplish when he installed the systemaccomplish when he installed the system
© 2001 POWERVAR, Inc.
Where We WereWhere We WereThe Technology/Environment MatrixThe Technology/Environment Matrix
Low Tech Environment
High Tech Environment
Low TechHardware
High TechHardware
© 2001 POWERVAR, Inc.
Where We WereWhere We WereThe Technology/Environment MatrixThe Technology/Environment Matrix
Low Tech Environment
High Tech Environment
Low TechHardware
High TechHardware
© 2001 POWERVAR, Inc.
Where We AreWhere We AreThe Technology/Environment MatrixThe Technology/Environment Matrix
Low Tech Environment
High Tech Environment
Low TechHardware
High TechHardware
© 2001 POWERVAR, Inc.
How do we get here?
Where We Want To BeWhere We Want To BeThe Technology/Environment MatrixThe Technology/Environment Matrix
Low Tech Environment
High Tech Environment
Low TechHardware
High TechHardware
© 2001 POWERVAR, Inc.
Getting Where We Want Getting Where We Want To BeTo Be
We must understand what kind of We must understand what kind of electrical power today’s systems electrical power today’s systems want to see.want to see.
First, we must understand how First, we must understand how systems have evolved.systems have evolved.
Today’s technology has different Today’s technology has different power requirements than power requirements than yesterday’s systems.yesterday’s systems.
© 2001 POWERVAR, Inc.
Old TechnologyOld Technology
Didn’t much care Didn’t much care about noise or neutral about noise or neutral to ground (common to ground (common mode) voltagemode) voltage
Needed stable voltageNeeded stable voltage No voltage impulsesNo voltage impulses Easily protected with Easily protected with
our “old friend” the our “old friend” the dedicated circuit.dedicated circuit.
© 2001 POWERVAR, Inc.
Dedicated Electrical Dedicated Electrical CircuitsCircuitsA Low Technology EnvironmentA Low Technology Environment
SubPanel
MainPanel
© 2001 POWERVAR, Inc.
Dedicated Electrical Dedicated Electrical CircuitsCircuitsA Low Technology EnvironmentA Low Technology Environment
Primary function was to prevent other Primary function was to prevent other loads from affecting the nominal loads from affecting the nominal voltage of the circuit powering the voltage of the circuit powering the computer (sags and swells)computer (sags and swells)
Secondary benefit was physical Secondary benefit was physical separation of the computer from separation of the computer from noise sourcesnoise sources
This was effective only because of the This was effective only because of the relatively low state of the technologyrelatively low state of the technology
© 2001 POWERVAR, Inc.
New TechnologyNew Technology
Doesn’t much mind if voltage Doesn’t much mind if voltage varies over a wide rangevaries over a wide range
Needs power that is free of Needs power that is free of transient impulses and noisetransient impulses and noise
Doesn’t like neutral to Doesn’t like neutral to ground (common mode ground (common mode voltage)voltage)
May need continuous power May need continuous power for servers, hosts, muxes, for servers, hosts, muxes, etc.etc.
© 2001 POWERVAR, Inc.
Protecting Modern Protecting Modern TechnologyTechnology
Dedicated CircuitsDedicated Circuits Voltage RegulatorsVoltage Regulators Surge DivertersSurge Diverters Noise FiltersNoise Filters Uninterruptible Power SuppliesUninterruptible Power Supplies
© 2001 POWERVAR, Inc.
Surge DivertersSurge Diverters
Basic protection for catastrophic Basic protection for catastrophic eventsevents
Convert normal mode (damaging Convert normal mode (damaging events) into common mode events) into common mode (degrading and disruptive events)(degrading and disruptive events)
Seldom effective for electrical Seldom effective for electrical disturbances smaller than 300-350 disturbances smaller than 300-350 voltsvolts
© 2001 POWERVAR, Inc.
Surge Diverter/Noise Surge Diverter/Noise FiltersFilters
Divert both high energy-high Divert both high energy-high frequency and low energy-high frequency and low energy-high frequency power disturbances away frequency power disturbances away from the computerfrom the computer
Convert normal mode to common Convert normal mode to common modemode
Performance is very unpredictable -- Performance is very unpredictable -- sometimes cause more problems than sometimes cause more problems than they solvethey solve
© 2001 POWERVAR, Inc.
UPS SystemsUPS Systems
Come in a variety of flavors (sine wave, Come in a variety of flavors (sine wave, square wave, modified wave) square wave, modified wave) WATCH WATCH OUT!OUT!
Primarily a tool for providing backup Primarily a tool for providing backup powerpower
Can be a complete power quality tool if Can be a complete power quality tool if properly selected. However, expect to properly selected. However, expect to pay a premium price. Remember -- pay a premium price. Remember -- YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR!YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR!
© 2001 POWERVAR, Inc.
What is Really Needed?What is Really Needed?
A device that combines surge A device that combines surge diversion and noise filtration with diversion and noise filtration with elements to prevent the occurrence elements to prevent the occurrence of neutral to ground (common mode) of neutral to ground (common mode) voltagevoltage
Such a device is called a low Such a device is called a low impedance power conditioner or a low impedance power conditioner or a low impedance, power conditioned UPSimpedance, power conditioned UPS
© 2001 POWERVAR, Inc.
The Power ConditionerThe 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 Voltage Let-Through is ImportantImportant
10 volt and 1/2 volt specifications were 10 volt and 1/2 volt specifications were recommended by the semiconductor recommended by the semiconductor industry as long ago as 1986industry as long ago as 1986
Most surge protectors, filter devices, and Most surge protectors, filter devices, and UPS products have let-through voltages UPS products have let-through voltages of 330 volts or more in both modesof 330 volts or more in both modes
These devices may prevent outright These devices may prevent outright destruction but can’t prevent destruction but can’t prevent degradation or disruptiondegradation or disruption
© 2001 POWERVAR, Inc.
Ask YourselfAsk Yourself
Off all our service calls,Off all our service calls,– How often do we replace destroyed How often do we replace destroyed
boards?boards?– How often do we replace malfunctioning How often do we replace malfunctioning
boards that have no apparent damage?boards that have no apparent damage?– How often do we respond to customer How often do we respond to customer
calls for which there is no problem foundcalls for which there is no problem found– How often does the customer report such How often does the customer report such
things as system lock-up, garbage files, things as system lock-up, garbage files, and other system operation problems?and other system operation problems?
© 2001 POWERVAR, Inc.
Three Points to RememberThree Points to Remember
Non-destructive power disturbances are Non-destructive power disturbances are far more common than destructive onesfar more common than destructive ones
Non-destructive power disturbances Non-destructive power disturbances cause component wear and tear and cause component wear and tear and system disruption.system disruption.
Surge protectors, noise filters, and most Surge protectors, noise filters, and most UPS systems do nothing but allow most UPS systems do nothing but allow most power disturbances to reach the power disturbances to reach the computercomputer
© 2001 POWERVAR, Inc.
Effective ProtectionEffective Protection
A low impedance power conditioner that A low impedance power conditioner that contains an isolation transformer, surge contains an isolation transformer, surge diverter, and noise filter or . . . . . . . . . .diverter, and noise filter or . . . . . . . . . .
An uninterruptible power supply that An uninterruptible power supply that contains the same three protection contains the same three protection elementselements
Either solution will provide total control of Either solution will provide total control of the AC power interface with the computerthe AC power interface with the computer
© 2001 POWERVAR, Inc.
By now you’re wanting to By now you’re wanting to know . .know . .
If this is the answer to allour problems,
why are we stillusing dedicated
circuits?
© 2001 POWERVAR, Inc.
Why?Why?
Most systems now consist of one or more Most systems now consist of one or more networked components.networked components.
The data cables that connect the The data cables that connect the different components together can create different components together can create “ground loops” within the system.“ground loops” within the system.
““Isolated grounding” conductors attempt Isolated grounding” conductors attempt to minimize ground loops by keeping to minimize ground loops by keeping safety ground impedance very low.safety ground impedance very low.
© 2001 POWERVAR, Inc.
Dedicated/Isolated CircuitsDedicated/Isolated Circuits
In addition, most installers try to In addition, most installers try to ensure that all dedicated/isolated ensure that all dedicated/isolated circuits for a single system are fed circuits for a single system are fed from the same transformer phase and from the same transformer phase and the same panel.the same panel.
Ground loops must be prevented to Ground loops must be prevented to ensure that power disturbances do ensure that power disturbances do not enter the data cabling subsystem.not enter the data cabling subsystem.
© 2001 POWERVAR, Inc.
Otherwise this is what Otherwise this is what happenshappens
MainPanel
SubPanel
© 2001 POWERVAR, Inc.
Are there other Are there other alternatives?alternatives?
New patented technology combines New patented technology combines power conditioning with special power conditioning with special elements to prevent “ground loop” elements to prevent “ground loop” formationformation
These special elements prevent power These special elements prevent power disturbances and noise currents from disturbances and noise currents from entering data cabling from the entering data cabling from the electrical system grounding electrical system grounding conductorsconductors
© 2001 POWERVAR, Inc.
Ground GuardGround GuardTM TM
Power and Ground ConditionerPower and Ground Conditioner
Data Cable Ground
© 2001 POWERVAR, Inc.
Ground Guard Ground Guard ConditionersConditioners
Provide all the functions of normal Provide all the functions of normal low impedance power conditioners low impedance power conditioners -- surge diversion, noise filter, and -- surge diversion, noise filter, and isolation transformerisolation transformer
Prevent ground currents and Prevent ground currents and power disturbances from entering power disturbances from entering the data cabling subsystemthe data cabling subsystem
Prevent formation of ground loopsPrevent formation of ground loops
© 2001 POWERVAR, Inc.
Ground Guard Ground Guard ConditionersConditioners
Eliminate the need for Eliminate the need for dedicated/isolated electrical circuitsdedicated/isolated electrical circuits
Eliminate the requirement for same Eliminate the requirement for same transformer, same phase wiring transformer, same phase wiring techniquestechniques
Eliminate the hassle, time, and Eliminate the hassle, time, and expense associated with special expense associated with special wiringwiring
© 2001 POWERVAR, Inc.
What About UPSsWhat About UPSs
UPS products should still be used UPS products should still be used to provide reserve power for to provide reserve power for servers, muxes, hubs, etc.servers, muxes, hubs, etc.
UPS systems should be sine wave UPS systems should be sine wave and either contain power and either contain power conditioning elements or be conditioning elements or be installed with a power conditioner installed with a power conditioner attachedattached
© 2001 POWERVAR, Inc.
What about existing What about existing installations?installations?
Power conditioners can be added Power conditioners can be added to existing installations and UPS to existing installations and UPS systemssystems
© 2001 POWERVAR, Inc.
Where We’ve ArrivedWhere We’ve ArrivedThe Technology/Environment MatrixThe Technology/Environment Matrix
Low Tech Environment
High Tech Environment
Low TechHardware
High TechHardware
© 2001 POWERVAR, Inc.
Effective Power Quality Effective Power Quality SolutionsSolutions
Reduce service costs by eliminating Reduce service costs by eliminating no problem found service calls, failed no problem found service calls, failed boards, and destroyed systemsboards, and destroyed systems
Make happier customers and more Make happier customers and more productive field engineersproductive field engineers
Increase revenue and expedite Increase revenue and expedite installations by eliminating electrical installations by eliminating electrical contractorscontractors
© 2001 POWERVAR, Inc.
Effective Power Quality Effective Power Quality SolutionsSolutions
Ensure that today’s high technology Ensure that today’s high technology systems are installed in a high systems are installed in a high
technology electrical environment.technology electrical environment.