Facilities Management #2
Part #2 The Family Joules
There are numerous misconceptions when people discuss backup power supplies. The most common is the “UPS” known as an uninterruptible power supply. Your typical UPS is the size of a VCR but 2 to 3 times heavier. For those in the know, those off the shelf units cost $100.00 to $200.00 and if you are lucky, you will get 5 minutes power out of them. One may wonder what can possibly be so advantageous of owning one.
The actual purpose of a UPS is to allow you enough time to save your work. Close your active programs and properly shut down your computer. Simple as that. Today the most popular and expensive solution is the natural gas-powered generator. These are usually installed outside and wired into your electrical panel. When the power dies, the generator kicks in and takes over where the electricity left off. These are powerful enough to power HVAC as well as kitchen appliances. One of my favorite features of these units is that they “exercise” monthly which means they will automatically turn on to confirm they function, and the few minutes process also provides needed lubrication to its parts.
There are some downsides to these units. One is that they claim they will kick on so fast your computer or other electronics won’t miss a beat. I don’t buy that. That is where a standard UPS comes in handy. The 5 minutes it provides is ample time while your generator ramps up to speed. Another major downside is their size and value. My operation being in the city doesn’t allow me the space, security, or convenience of a gas source to be packaged as a one-step solution. If I was in a freestanding structure with a walled or fenced in border I would not hesitate.
And lastly the only other downside with these is a power loss caused by a gas leak or explosion. Not as likely as weather related but any layer of protection requires another layer of cash.
Now, before we make our investment and build our power firewall we need to understand what Joules are and how they play a role in one’s back up power program. Picture it this way. Most everyone has a fuse box. Some refer to them as breaker panels. We have them in our basement, our utility closet. And, naturally, we have them in our vehicles. Each fuse or circuit is paired with a specific degree of protection so in the event of an overcurrent or power surge it will cut the power or trip the circuit to protect the device.
Now your Joule rating is a measurement of how much energy a surge protector will absorb during a power spike. Battery backup units also maintain Joule ratings. The proper combination of the two will absorb and dissipate the energy during lightning and other events. The protection to your devices is so critical that many manufacturers offer insurance policies to devices plugged into their units.
Interestingly, The Generac which is the likely industry leader, recommends an add on surge protector yet it has it’s own internal circuit breakers. Speaking of which, there are several businesses famous for their emergency back up systems. The Home Depot, Menards and Lowes have very intricate programs to maintain open stores especially since they are a key component in rebuilding communities.
However, The Grand Poobah of disaster planning is so state of the art that FEMA monitors their power protocols. And that title goes to the Waffle House. That is one company that wrote the book on fighting a storm’s fury.
I think back on all the years and all the research as I was determined to build a better mousetrap. It always reminds me of a client that came up with an idea so simple that logic got jealous. He had about 7 large party buses and coaches and they all had multiple 120-volt outlets inside. When the skies got dark, they would pull out their little red wagons stacked with 50-foot heavy duty extension cords. When the rain started, they fired up the fleet and parked them in key positions near windows, stairways and other openings. When the boogie man arrived, they plugged in key systems and equipment amongst the available fleet. It worked. Or I should say if the storm was on a Tuesday.
That is what I am looking for. Simple and easy, yet all encompassing. You can never have enough protection. I finally got it together. Now the only problem I have to tend to is my printer.
Why does it only run out of ink while I am using it????
