When electrical systems are critical to life safety, it is essential that backup power remains available even when the primary backup system fails. National Electric Code (NEC) Section 700.3(F) addresses this concern by providing guidelines for connecting portable generators as a temporary power source, thus ensuring uninterrupted power during emergency situations. This article takes a … Read more
A radiator-mounted load bank can be a very practical solution to meet minimum load requirements on emergency generators. The mechanical installation of these load banks can be accomplished in a number of ways, providing the designer with a simple solution for most applications. This article covers the most common installation methods, and tips on how … Read more
Mission-critical facilities are growing steadily as a niche market segment for MEP design firms. No longer limited to financial data processing or telecommunications, these critical facilities are now in high demand for a new breed of “in the cloud” data storage and “big data” applications. Whatever functions they support, one thing remains constant – these facilities have an absolute need for reliable electric power. A recent study found that the average cost for a power outage at a data center exceeds $500,000. So, how can these facilities improve the reliability of their electric power system? Testing is one key, and there is one device in particular that makes testing procedures safe and efficient.
Data centers and health-care facilities have some of the best and most thorough procedures for testing their emergency on-site power systems (EPSS). For obvious reasons, these operations must have 100% confidence in their critical systems, and they invest heavily to insure that these systems will operate as expected, when needed. Large facilities are often regulated … Read more