The Mechanisms Of a UPS System

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How UPS Systems Work: UPS Systems use of battery or flywheel as a backup system – an electrical device that powers electronic equipment when the power source experiences dips and surges or when the power fails entirely.

UPS Systems differ from generators and will provide instant (or pretty close to) protection from interruptions with the use of batteries and related electronic circuitry – these are for lower power users. For higher power users flywheels are used.

By rule of thumb, the runtime of UPS systems is generally a short period of time – usually in the vicinity of between 5 and 15 minutes for smaller units. The general idea being the UPS System permits sufficient time to ensure the power source or line is correctly shut down in order to protect any electrical equipment, which could save literally thousands.

There is no specific type of equipment that needs protection from surges and dips, blackouts and brownouts; UPS Systems are there to safe-guard delicate and sensitive electronic equipment from damage, including computers, medical equipment in hospitals and other equipment that could lead to injuries and fatalities as well as business interruption.

UPS systems differ in size ranging from rather small and compact units to large units that are able to power massive centres that are generally used in factories and mines.

How UPS Systems work and the different designs that are available:

  •         The different types of UPS systems available to protect delicate electronic equipment include on-line, line-interactive and standby systems.
  •         Your offline UPS system is powered from the input power directly and the backup will only kick in if the power fails – these are usually below 1Kva, and quite cost-effective

There are so many UPS systems available; find out how UPS Systems Work before investing in one for your specific needs.

Ensure You Get The Right UPS Systems For Your Needs

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It is advisable to go the professional route and find a company that is able to advise you what’s best for your needs – one that can professionally install your unit and also a company that can service your unit should the need arise!

There are different types of UPS Systems but the most common UPS categories of modern UPS Systems include Standby UPS Systems, which is also referred to as Off-Line UPS, Line Interactive UPS and On-Line UPS.

A Standby or Off-Line UPS system is usually used for when the load is powered directly from the utility and the backup power only kicks in if the main power fails. This UPS system is extremely basic and only provides surge protection and battery backup to enable businesses and individuals to save their data and shut down their devices safely. The Off-Line UPS can withstand under-voltage brownouts and surges without consuming the reserve power from the battery plus it is able to automatically select various power taps on the autotransformer.

A Line-Interactive UPS, on the other hand, preserves the inverter in line and transmits the battery’s DC current path from the usual charging method to supply current as and when the power goes down.

Online UPS System uses a method referred to as a “double conversion” which accepts the AC input, and correcting to DC, passing through the rechargeable battery.

There are definite distinctions regarding the UPS Systems being used – for example massive power units require UPS supplies where a synchronous alternator or motor is attached on the mains through the use of a choke. Power is then stored in a Flywheel and when the power is intermittent an Eddy Current directive upholds the power on the load. At times a diesel UPS supply is required and is referred to as a DRUPS.

Use Only Recognised UPS System Suppliers Right Across South Africa

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The secret to enjoying only the best from your UPS System Supplier, regardless of where you are based in South Africa, is to ensure yours is installed by professionals and to use system suppliers that boast a solid track record.

 

Find one that will be willing to install your systems, professionally, no matter where your footprint in South Africa happens to be.

 

Furthermore, it is prudent to select a company that will undertake to do repairs and service your system as well as having a large cache of spare parts, any time of day or night.

And for those that are not in the know what a UPS system is – this is an Uninterruptible Power Supply which is an electronic device that offers a continued supply of electricity for some time, even when the power utility goes out or is unstable – black outs, dips, surges and brown outs. In recent years this has become part of our everyday lives and we all live with the expectation of the power going out at some time or another, interrupting everyday lives in the workplace and home.

 

Let’s face facts – power outages cost everyone time and money; best be prepared for the inevitable and avoid losses.

 

It makes sense to have a professional UPS System Supplier install one of these life-saving devices in your home or office:

 

Lights stop working and customers cannot see, staff are unable to function and levels of theft increase.

 

Computers stop functioning – information will be lost, and communication will become impossible.
To avoid these levels of stress from occurring in the home or office it is advisable to have a professional UPS System Supplier conduct a needs analysis and install a state-of-the-art system to avoid loss of power.

Why It Makes Sense For Businesses To Install Business Solar Systems

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Most businesses in a tight economy are looking at smart ways to save on their bottom line. Additionally, with the instability of the power from the grid, being without power for any length of time could result in substantial losses – combine these two and it simply makes good sense to install business solar systems to save on your bottom line. Time is money and even a short amount of downtime in a factory, production plant, mine, retail shopping centre or office block could result it losing substantial amounts of money.

That is why it is time to start thinking out of the box so that you can start ticking all those necessary boxes instead; a good point of entry is by starting off with the way you power your world.

Business solar systems are without question a no-brainer and make a lot of sense.

A good example of powering businesses and in fact, an entire island, is Robben Island. Going solar is perhaps the most sensible move forward, and should be an example to all of us on how to install solar and become independent from the power grid on all fronts.

It might seem like a costly exercise upfront, but low-cost housing projects are taking this queue and ensuring that all new houses built are fitted with solar-powered units to avoid being dependent on the already over-worked power grid.

South Africa needs to get smart with the way it supplies water and electricity to the masses – and making small changes is most certainly a step in the right direction.

Going green and making little adjustments, installing solar and supporting green businesses will undoubtedly be a step in the right direction.

Solar Panels Company – Getting Creative And Saving On Power

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When partnering with your Solar Panels Company, you will be pleasantly surprised how much information you will be able to glean regarding your utilities, saving on your bottom line.

 

Making full use of the many hours of sunshine we are fortunate to have in South Africa and using renewable energy to power your world, you can reduce, and even eliminate your dependency on the power grid altogether.

 

There are numerous different ways to power your home with renewable energy. Solar is perhaps the most common method. Solar panels that typically go onto the roof, can also be installed in the yard.

Bear in mind that an average household will consume at least a kilowatt of power, therefore, a couple of metres of solar panels should suffice for most of the needs to run a household, although your Solar Panels Company will be the best source of information regarding the most affordable and practical solutions to fit your budget and your needs.

 

Investigate whether your options could include solar shingles – this is when your standard rooftop solar panels are installed on top of your roof, with the shingles replacing the roof tiles.

 

For those that need to power their homes on cloudy days you will need to supplement your solar with electricity from the grid or other renewable energy options.

 

Solar power is also used to heat your home environment. Solar water heaters utilise the sun to heat water, which in turn can be pumped through heaters, taps or showers, and is a lot more cost-effective than heating water using the grid – an extremely greedy electricity guzzler.

 

There are many types of solar water heaters; each with its own advantages and disadvantages.

Be certain to select the type of Solar Power Company to fit your personal needs best.

Why Your Charge Controller Plays Such an Integral Role

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Sold to users in separate devices, usually in conjunction with wind or solar generators, a charge controller forms an integral part of almost all power systems that charge batteries.

 

Regardless of whether the power source is PV, wind, hydro, fuel or from the utility grid – charge controllers are essential to all of these.

 

The main function and key is to keep your batteries fed correctly to ensure longevity and to guarantee their safety at all times.

 

The functions of a charge controller are quite straightforward, too – the main idea behind these devices is to block reverse current and to prevent battery overcharge.

 

Certain battery controllers have been designed to prevent batteries from discharging and protecting them from electrical overload as well as displaying battery status and the sequence of power.

A charge controller is also referred to as a charge regulator or battery regulator and it limits the rate at which electric current is applied to or taken from electric batteries.

 

Some charge controllers are also able to monitor battery temperature to prevent overheating, while other charge controller arrangements also display data, convey data to remote displays, and information logging to track electric current over the course of time.

 

Charge controllers have taken on numerous new features in today’s market, including augmented capacity as they reach higher operating voltages to house even larger systems.

 

Charge controllers are now able to offer enhanced flexibility, with more controllers using better-quality weather-resistant configurations that operate under environmental extremes with less maintenance.

 

Innovative designs with greater thermal administration will allow professional designers to bring solar to more challenging areas that necessitate the use of electricity; amongst these being research stations, isolated telecommunications sites and mining and energy set-ups.

POWER PROTECTION

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When It Comes To Power Protection – The Big Question Is Why Do We Need It And Which One is Best for Your Needs?

Power needs to be kept stable – Power Protection is a branch of innovative engineering that will ensure the power is kept stable at all times.

There are various types of Power Protection options to choose from, ranging from the really simple configurations that consist of plugs, Voltage Stabilisers, Inverters and UPS systems, right up to the high-tech online UPS arrangements.

When investing in Power Protection, always choose the right one for your individual needs – perhaps an understanding of the problems you might experience and the various levels of protection is a step in the right direction. It all boils down to economics and deciding on the right combination.

Power Protection systems consist of different parts – these are Current and Voltage Transformers, Protective Relays, Circuit Breakers and Batteries.

Current and Voltage Transformers assist in the step-down phase of high voltage and electrical power systems.

Protective Relays activate the trip once the fault has been detected.

Circuit Breakers open and shut the electrical system and operates on the auto-re-closure prompts.

Batteries supply power to the Power Protection system when the power is shut down or disconnected.

The general idea behind a Power Protection system is to remove the faulty power from the main system to ensure the balance of the power continues to operate without any interruptions.

In other words the main idea behind Power Protection is the prevention of faulty current entering the power system and ensuring the continuous flow of electricity by disconnecting any short-circuit systems

 

Three of The Most Popular Batteries in South Africa Used for Solar

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It is no secret that the type of battery used in solar applications have to perform an arduous job and need to meet the demands of heavy cycling, unstable power from the grid as well as irregular full recharging.

There are different types of batteries that are used for the various applications and need to meet a broad spectrum of unique requirements.

When looking at the different types of batteries for your solar power unit, there will always be a number of factors that need to be taken into consideration.

These usually include cost, cycle life as well as installation and maintenance.

Lead Acid Batteries:

Lead acid batteries are often incorporated in renewable energy and is reliably used in off-the-grid solar energy applications; a battery that has been used for solar energy, spanning decades.

Lead acid batteries are typically deep cycle and cost almost half the price of lithium-ion batteries.

Lithium-ion Batteries

Lithium-ion batteries are perhaps the most commonly used in storing technology, no matter the kind of application. These include three types – they are pouch batteries (tablets and smartphones), cylindrical batteries – used for power tools and prismatic,used in electric vehicles.

Flow Batteries

These include the Redox Flow Battery which are fast emerging as an alternative storage option.

The vanadium redox flow battery – also referred to as the VRFB is perhaps the fastest-emerging and technologically-advanced type of battery  used in solar applications.

With so many options and different types of batteries to choose from for your solar, ensure you select the right one for your needs.

Solar Thermal Solutions for Energy Savings

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The cost of electricity is exponential – and keeping the environment at home or at work pleasant to work in, plus ensuring that water is heated at all times could impact hugely on your utility bills.

In many instances energy saving solutions could prove to be a costly exercise and is very often not affordable by the man-in-the-street.

Perhaps one of the smartest solutions and most effective energy options is the use of solar energy for and the installation of solar thermal solutions for all those energy needs and requirements.

Heating up buildings and water could prove to be a massive source of energy consumption and hugely expensive – by installing solar panels and solar thermal solutions for heating will assist in saving energy and reducing enormous electricity bills.

About your solar thermal solutions:

Using solar thermal heating solutions is a wonderful resolution to heating water and keeping the environment warm at an affordable cost.

This system captures the heat from the rays of the sun and uses it for heating water.

The solar panels that are placed on the roof absorb the heat and will heat up the solution panels; in return, the solutions will be pumped into the cylinder to heat the water.

By incorporating solar thermal solutions you will be able to fill most of your hot water requirements.

Furthermore, your energy bills will be reduced dramatically through the installation and use of solar and solar thermal solutions.

If You Wonder How Batteries Work

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For those that have always wondered how solar and batteries work in conjunction with each other, there is a simple explanation.

How batteries work:

Solar panels charge batteries.

Solar batteries work by the conversion of the AC energy that is produced in the solar panels and is stored in the form of DC power in batteries to be used at a later stage.

In some instances, though, solar batteries have their own inverter and therefore are able to incorporate integrated energy conversions.

Larger solar systems will always require a battery that has a bigger capacity for storage of DC power.

When solar batteries are installed as part of a solar system, excess solar electricity for the home will be stored – this is instead of being sent right back to the grid of the power utility.

For those that have solar panels that produce a surplus of solar energy, the excess energy will be used to recharged the battery.

That means as and when the solar panels are no longer producing electricity, the surplus stored power will now be drawn from this surplus for cloudy days or night-time use.

Electricity is only sent back to the grid when the battery is fully charged and you will only draw power from the grid when the battery is flat.

Solar systems that have an excess solar storage will be able to store surplus solar power on-site for later use when the sun goes down and can also offer a short period of backup power when the power goes down.

The above is a brief synopsis on how batteries work.