UPS Suggestions

[Bill Gradwohl]

On Tue, 2005-08-30 at 13:07 -0700, Mike McMullen wrote:
> Duh... that would help wouldn't it? ;-)

Actually, power supply rating isn't a really good indicator. We use a
gadget called a kill-a-watt meter that will tell you what a particular
machine draws steady state, and then you can know for sure where you
stand. 

Normally, boxes run way under their power supply rating, unless they are
full of drives. The meter will also tell you what the power factor is
for the box (or boxes) as well as the watt and VA ratings. Those numbers
are the necessary ones to size the UPS properly and then get as much
battery capacity as needed to supply the run time required. The savings
in the (typically) smaller UPS you purchase is more than what the meter
costs.

Try to run your UPS's at or above 80% utilization for best efficiency.
Ferroresonant technology although expensive is the best you can get if
that matters.


-- 
Bill Gradwohl
(817) 224-9400