Guide to Power Solutions
November 29, 2008 by MotorFanatic
Filed under Automotive Articles
A power solutions review is essential at the outset of any power continuity or power protection project, if the highest levels of reliability and resilience (fault tolerance) are to be acquired. A review aims to establish:
The quality of available mains power and any history of power problems.
The quality of power required by loads in terms of voltage, frequency and current.
Future demands and the reliability of the power supply to meet them.
Sources of alternative back-up power that may be available onsite.
Priority-based load shedding and shut down.
What you need to establish is what type of loads you have, linear or non-linear, what category they are, in terms of their criticality to the continuous running of the operation or business and any potential there may be for power problems including sags, surges, brownouts, harmonics, electrical noise, spikes and transients as well as the propensity for complete blackouts. This information will tell you what type, size and configuration of power protection system you need to give maximum reliability and resilience.
So, how do you do a power quality review?
Monitoring Power Solutions
Firstly, to assess the quality of mains power at a particular site, power-monitoring services are offered by specialist companies, such as Riello UPS. Using specialist tools and software, an analysis can be taken of voltage and current distortion and/or frequency variations so that as assessment can be made of the type of conditioning and filtering that may be required.
IT system event logs and electrical system maintenance records can provide useful information upon which to base assumptions. An event log, for example, could contain important data concerning specific system hardware failures, data corruption and/or system lock-ups. Electrical system maintenance records will tell you of any incidents of sudden circuit-breaker tripping, fuse ruptures, relay chattering and the dimming or flickering of overhead lights.
Assessing Load Types and Demands
Each load may vary considerably in type and size and will have its own demands in terms of current drawn (AMPS), power consumed, and voltage and frequency of supply required. In Europe, for example, loads typically draw either a single-phase 230Vac or three-phase 400Vac supply at 50Hz. In North America this is, typically, 120/208Vac single-phase or 277/480Vac three-phase.
Computer and telecommunications loads can range from single, desktop computers and keyphone systems to fully integrated date centres deploying the latest software-based PBX technologies and high-end servers. In this case, each peace of hardware should be assessed to establish its in-rush (switch on) current alongside the normal running current of its power supply unit, which in most cases, these days, is SMPS (switch Mode Power Supply). At switch on, most SMPS equipment has high in-rush current, which needs to be considered when sizing UPS equipment.
Whilst loads are assessed in terms of their power draw, a safety margin needs to be added to allow for system expansion within a two to five year period. A guideline factor is typically 25 percent of today’s load. It can be achieved by either over-sizing the power protection solution (less desirable given today’s demand for efficiencies and reduced installation costs) or by enabling the installation of additional capacity at a later date; UPS running in parallel configurations, for example, whereby additional units can be brought into the configuration when required.
The time it takes to conduct a power solutions review is well worth the effort, particularly if costly and disruptive downtime is to be avoided. In these days of global markets and online businesses, it has reached a point whereby no business can afford any downtime, let along a minimal amount.
Guide to Forklifts
November 29, 2008 by MotorFanatic
Filed under Automotive Articles
A forklift is one of the most important piece of Forklift Equipment needed for the operation of any warehouse. Any manufacturing company or shipping company cannot do without a forklift. Nearly every warehouse has at least one forklift, a device that can lift hundreds of kilograms with the help of two forks made of metal. It is a vehicle like a small truck, which is driven forward by an operator until its forks are pushed under the cargo to be lifted. Forks, also called tines or blades, are normally made of steel and are able to lift tons of weight.
Some forklifts are powered by propane, some by petrol, some by diesel and some by electricity. Electric forklifts are operated by batteries. However, propane and petrol forklifts can be sometimes even faster and stronger than the electric ones, but it can be difficult to maintain them and also the fuel may prove to be costly. Therefore, electric ones can be more suitable for a ware house, because they also do not give out noxious fumes, which gas powered ones do. Normally, forklifts are designed to work in warehouses, but some like the all-terrain forklifts can work outdoors also, and they are generally operated on natural gas or diesel. Such forklifts are strongest and they have heavy duty tyres making them possible to be driven on uneven outdoor surfaces.
There is an extensive market for used forklifts, which are usually available at a cheaper price than the new ones. But before putting your money into it, you need to check if the used fork lift for sale is in good shape and if it needs extensive repair. If you are planning to buy a used forklift through the Internet, you may not get a chance to test drive it, so you should have knowledge of the exact model that you want to purchase. Used forklifts are great for those who have a limited budget and have ware house requirements.
From a reputable forklifts supplier, you can purchase your new or used forklift and from a forklifts equipment supplier, you can purchase the equipments or parts like access platforms, mechanical grab scissors and repressions needed for your forklift from time to time. While operating a forklift, it is most important to follow all the safety measures prescribed. The operator should be careful about not exceeding the weight capacity of the forklift, and they should be skilled enough to handle its steering wheel. It is important to know that driving a forklift is very much similar to driving car in reverse, which means that the driver has to constantly steer in order to keep the vehicle moving in straight line. The operator should also avoid going too fast or making sharp turns. In Australia the forklift driver should be licensed and fully trained, because most accidents in the warehouses are occurred while loads are carried on fork lifts.
Custom Forklift Sales Pty Ltd. is the best company to provide Forklift Sales Brisbane. They are the leading suppliers of forklift machines which best suit your warehouse requirements. By logging on to www.customforklifts.com.au, you can obtain your desired forklift or associated equipment, and order them online.

