Ditek Blog

One of the most notorious public venue lighting failures occurred at the 2013 Super Bowl. A partial power outage in the New Orleans Superdome literally turned off the lights during the nighttime game, stopping play for 34 minutes. Fans were confused, the network broadcast was disrupted, and social media buzzed with conjecture. It was discovered several days later that a newly installed relay had tripped, resulting in the power outage, during which only emergency lighting functioned.

The incident created the potential for significant negative consequences. There could have been unrest or even violence between fans in the stands. Attendees, staff, vendors or team members could have been injured due to the dark conditions. Any of these incidents could have created huge potential legal liabilities for the City and the Stadium Commission.

The importance of implementing a UPS system to protect network, data information and video assets from power issues cannot be understated. Even short power outages can pose huge issues for organizations, with as little as a quarter-second incident shutting down network equipment for minutes to hours. That can cost a business big money. Some experts believe the U.S. economy loses between $200 billion and $570 billion a year due to power outages and other electrical disturbances.

So, what is a UPS and why is it a crucial element in your power landscape? The bottom line is simple; it provides backup power when utility power shuts down, and saves critical equipment and systems from losing data until generators come online, or power is restored. The UPS will also condition incoming power to help quell common sags and power surges that may damage systems.

However, there are varied options for users, and matching the power solution to the correct application may prove confusing. But an understanding of the different technology definitions and their applications can help both user and integrator make an informed decision. 

Opinions about the products offered in retail establish two of the most exciting trends in the Security industry today are: the growing integration of multiple systems to create greater awareness and value, and the quickly increasing range of connected devices that provide inputs to those systems. These developments represent a huge change in the accuracy and capabilities of our systems, and are supported by a wide range of technologies including wireless networking, new and improved smaller sensors of all kinds, the evolution of software analytics, and the Internet of Things (IoT).

While we welcome all of these great new capabilities and the benefits they provide, we should also remember that they all rely upon sensitive electronic circuits. Thus, as we increase our dependence on these systems, we also need to implement backups and protection to help ensure that they are working when they are needed most. The trend for increased networking and connectivity must also bring about a trend for increased power and network protection.

Organizations of all types – including businesses, schools, government agencies, and non-profits depend on electronic systems such as fire alarms, security systems, and communication and data information networks. Management knows that if any of these systems are damaged or inoperable for any reason, normal operation instantly becomes more difficult, and in some cases, it may mean shutting down entirely.

Because of this importance, savvy managers look for ways to protect these systems and to decrease the potential for operational disruptions. One potential source of damage to electronic systems is, of course, electrical surges and spikes. Electrical surge events are generated from outside the facility, due to electrical grid switching, lightning activity, and the actions of nearby neighbors such as welding, among other sources. They can also be created internally by inductive loads such as motors in machinery, pumps, and HVAC equipment. Whether they are created externally or internally, electrical surges are much more common than most people believe, and most of these events pass by each day unnoticed by management and staff.

Fire, security, communication, and data information networks are all essential to the operation of modern organizations, whether they are businesses, schools, governmental agencies, or non-profits. If these networks are damaged or inoperable for any reason, normal operation instantly becomes more difficult, and at least in the case of an inoperable fire alarm system, operation may even become impossible.

Because of this importance, managers often take action to provide some protection from typical network vulnerabilities. For example, IT departments often protect the information network with sophisticated software to detect ransomware, data breaches and other hack attacks. However, for all network types, perhaps the most dangerous threat is electrical surges and spikes and the damage they can cause.

Here are five basic concepts for protecting electronic networks from the damaging effects of electrical surges and spikes:

Home theaters, office equipment and high-fidelity audio systems deserve extra attention to help protect them from unwanted electrical surges and spikes, and to provide them with the cleanest and purest possible electrical power.

The Clean Power Challenge

Both premium residences and all manner of commercial facilities are subjected to the same daily onslaught of power disturbances. These disturbances can come from a wide variety of external sources, including lightning strikes, utility grid switching, and nearby activities such as welding. Internal sources of disturbances can also be just as damaging. Sensitive electronic systems are subject to the cumulative effects of these disturbances that normally pass by unnoticed by building occupants. 

Another supplied power concern arises from the presence of higher frequency noise carried by power wiring and transmitted into the power input area of sensitive electronics. These higher frequencies are referred to as EMI, or Electro-Magnetic Interference, or alternatively as RFI, or Radio Frequency Interference. EMI/RFI can also come from many sources, including switched mode power supplies common in lower-cost electronic devices, and can be transmitted through the power lines to reach other, more sensitive devices.

Electrical surge protection in an industrial setting has significant differences from residential, retail, and typical office settings – it is quite literally “no place like home.”

To begin with, the electrical service is different than it would be at home. Residential and non-industrial settings most often make use of single-phase power service at 120 or 240 volts. Electric service in commercial buildings is usually 120/208 volt three-phase power; in larger facilities service may go up to 277/480 volts. In contrast, industrial sectors like critical infrastructure, gas and oil facilities, factories, chemical plants, food processing plants and mining operations have much larger power requirements. In these settings, three-phase power with nominal service voltages of 240, 480 and 600.

Building Codes, Fire Alarm Codes, Electrical Codes – these aren’t meant to be secret codes, but there’s no question that it is difficult for lay people to keep up with all of them as well as their applicability, their changes, and their specific requirements. We need to know how to crack the codes!

Well, DITEK is here and ready to help with at least one aspect of this challenge – we can highlight a range of current codes that involve electrical surge protection, and we can go further if you need help evaluating your facility for adequate and effective Surge Protective Devices (SPDs). In the sections below, we refer to specific code requirements so that you can go directly to the applicable information regarding SPDs. Here is our version of a decoder ring to help get you started:

Many facilities have areas secured and protected by Access Control systems, including all types of businesses, government and educational institutions, manufacturing and storage facilities, and even residential buildings. The reasons for this control are as varied as the facilities themselves. In one case, the purpose might be safety – to keep people away from hazardous machinery or chemicals. In other cases, it might be to prevent theft, provide a secure work space, keep non-residents out, or to make sure members have paid their fees. In every case, these systems are implemented to ensure that only authorized people can enter these protected areas.

Convenience store operators have long sought to create a frictionless customer experience. Fine-tuning the shopping experience to make it faster, easier, and more enjoyable makes for satisfied customers and keeps them coming back. To that end, today’s c-store operators are adding more and more food options, bigger refrigerators, more pumps and other options for customers.

Technology has played a key role in creating positive encounters with customers. For this reason, more and more c-store operators are making big investments to create a great retail environment that drives business and delivers a top-notch experience. This can be quite expensive. A c-store operator could spend tens of thousands of dollars adding new functionality and upgrading existing systems, chasing the ultimate goal of customer satisfaction and repeat business. Surprisingly though, many operators miss a vital, yet inexpensive step when installing new equipment – surge protection.