HL5.SEP–Sept–EFI–SC
UPS defends against transients
Aimed at networks, the supply is certified both as a UPS and as a
transient-suppression device
Most uninterruptible power supplies do a fine job of defending against
brownouts, but are not designed to suppress sudden transient spikes from
lightning and similar events. This limitation becomes even more
significant if the UPS is used to back up computers hooked up on a
network. The LanGarde 400 is reportedly the first UPS that meets the UL
1449 requirement for transient-voltage suppression as well as the UL 1778
rating for brownout protection. To achieve the transient suppression, the
UPS has a patented “Sine Wave Tracker” circuit that allows the suppression
circuitry to track the ac sine wave and clamp voltages of under 50 V.
Besides protecting the UPS from transient damage, this circuit eliminates
the expense of an additional surge suppressor. Operating as a
line-interactive UPS, the supply is rated 400 VA and provides 15 min of
output power. The UPS has the company's NetTrax software interface, which
notifies the LAN administrator to shut down the equipment during a power
outage. Should no one shut down the connected equipment, the UPS
automatically saves files and itself initiates the shutdown. When the UPS
switches the network back to utility power, a “sync before return” feature
in the supply protects it from any transients generating during switching.
A boost feature eliminates battery discharge during brownout conditions,
thus extending battery life over standby-type UPSs. Moreover, the batteries
can be easily replaced by simply removing a panel, eliminating
time-consuming factory replacement normally associated with UPS batteries.
Another feature of the UPS is a daisy chaining capability that enables
the user to daisy chain several UPSs through the supply's serial port.
This enables the network administrator to monitor equipment that resides
both on and off the network. Besides networks, the UPS can also back up a
single computer. It operates on 120 Vac, 60 Hz. Versions of the UPS rated
600, 900, and 1,250 VA will be available shortly. Dimensions for the 400
VA version are 6 (H) x 7.1 (W) x 14 (D) in. ($499.95 each–stock.) EFI
Electronics Corp. Salt Lake City, UT Sam Kershaw 800-877-1174; in UT,
801-977-3420 Fax 801-977-0200
CAPTION:
The LanGarde 400 UPS protects networked equipment not only from
brownouts, but also transient spikes.
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