10 Ways Protect Electrical

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    June 27, 2006

    10 ways to protect systemsfrom electrical catastro he

    By Erik Eckel

    PCs, servers, switches, routers, broadband modems, KVM switches, and other computer equipment are allsubject to electrical damage. From improper site wiring to lightning strikes, a wide variety of electrical issuesthreaten systems and peripherals constantly. Review these 10 items to ensure that youve taken necessary

    precautions to help protect against data loss and equipment damage.

    Verify electricity levels

    Most computer equipment is designed to use 120 volts of AC power supplied at 60 Hertz. Electrical currentprovided by a local utility or throughout a site or facility can vary from that standard, however, sometimessignificantly.

    When deploying new systems, and as facilities are expanded and adjoining sites grow, be sure the local powergrid continues providing proper electrical baselines. Both sags and surges adversely affect PC and serverelectrical components and can lead to subsequent failures anddata loss.

    Use a multimeter to reveal the voltage an AC power outletprovides to systems and equipment. If baselines vary by twopercent or less, invest in electrical conditioning equipment,such as an uninterruptible power supply (UPS). If baselinesvary by three percent or more, contact the local utility, alicensed electrical contractor, or facilities management toexplore and correct the errors.

    Confirm that supply circuits are grounded properly

    A multimeter reveals a UPS power outlet provides121.5 volts of AC electricity.

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    A simple circuit testercan quickly confirm thatpower outlets aregrounded properly.

    Surge protectors and UPS devices cant properly safeguard the sensitivehardware they're designed to protect if the electrical outlets they're plugged intoaren't properly grounded. Ground wiring is responsible for diverting most powersurges. When ground wiring is compromised, surges dont have an effectivesuppression path. Expensive servers, PCs, and network equipment cansubsequently suffer significant damage.

    Information technology professionals typically arent responsible for a facilityswiring quality, but as theyre responsible for maintaining the computer systemsand networks powered by the facilitys electrical supply, IT pros have an interest inensuring electrical outlets and power supplies are properly grounded.

    Many UPS and surge protector models will light a warning lamp if the outlet intowhich theyre plugged isnt properly grounded. Most do-it-yourself and hardwarestores also sell inexpensive circuit testers that are simply plugged into outlets to

    confirm that circuits are grounded properly.

    Whenever deploying new equipment, be sure to first test the circuit. When usingsurge protectors or UPS devices that feature improper-grounding alarms, alsoverify that the alarm light isnt l it.

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    10 ways to protect systems from electrical catastrophes

    Dont overload circuits

    Remember the Christmas Storyscene in which Ralphies dad blows a fuse connecting too many electrical plugsinto a single outlet? In the popular holiday movie, a string of decorative lights is to blame, but too many desktopcomputers, servers, and network devices connected to a single circuitcan easily overpower the electrical supply.

    Notice I didnt say too many desktop computers, servers, and network devices connected to a single outlet.Splitting outlets (using power strips, surge protectors, and UPS devices), of course, does nothing but multiply thepower demands placed upon the circuit to which those outlets are connected. Placing excessive demands upon acircuit can result in intermittent power failures, wide variations in available electricity, and even fire hazards asoverworked circuits exceed safe operating ranges.

    As CPU speeds and capacities and video card capabilities, among other elements, have increased, server andPC power requirements have grown as well. Carefully research your server room or offices power requirementsto make sure the sites electricity requirements are sufficient.

    Several resources are available for helping estimate appropriate power levels. Check out these sources for moreinformation:

    Calculating Total Power Requirements for Data Centers (APC White Paper)

    Powering the Data Center Efficiently (Hewlett-Packard White Paper) System Power and Cooling Requirements (Sun Microsystems Book Chapter)

    Use a UPS/surge protector

    Avoid deploying unprotected power strips, which do nothing to protect connected equipment from sags, surges,and lightning strikes. Deploy surge protectors and UPS devices instead.

    Connect all sensitive electronic equipment to UPS or surge protection devices. Remember that a laser printersfusers generate strong bursts of electrical consumption that can damage UPS units.

    Mobile systems pose a particular challenge. Ensure that all traveling employees carry and use effective surgeprotectors when traveling with laptops.

    Properly calculate UPS/surge protector capacity

    Just as electrical circuits can easily be overwhelmed, so too can a UPS devices power capacity be exceeded.Carefully calculate the power demands for the systems attached to a UPS device to ensure that the UPS canpower the connected equipment.

    Most UPS manufacturers provide interactive calculators you can use to estimate the volts-amperes and wattsrequired to power your systems. Use these links for more information:

    American Power Conversion Corp.s product selection wizards

    Belkin product selection wizards

    Tripp Lites product selectors

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    When selecting surge protectors, purchase models featuring a sufficient number of protected outlets. A five-outletsurge protector may cover five devices, but it does no good if additional unprotected outlets must be utilized forother systems or peripherals.

    Also ensure the surge protector selected includes lightning protection. Without protection from commonthunderstorms, a surge protector can prove useless in safeguarding sensitive computer equipment from electricalspikes, resulting in failed hardware and corrupt and lost data.

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    http://www.apcmedia.com/salestools/VAVR-5TDTEF_R0_EN.pdfhttp://whitepapers.techrepublic.com.com/abstract.aspx?docid=92243&promo=400222&kw=%5c%27calculate+power+requirements%5c%27http://docs.sun.com/source/816-1613-14/Chapter4.htmlhttp://www.apc.com/tools/ups_selector/index.cfm?lid=Go%20to%20the%20UPS%20Selectorhttp://www2.belkin.com/config/surgeprotection/computersurgeprotection.asphttp://www2.belkin.com/config/surgeprotection/computersurgeprotection.asphttp://www2.belkin.com/config/surgeprotection/computersurgeprotection.asphttp://www2.belkin.com/config/surgeprotection/computersurgeprotection.asphttp://www.apc.com/tools/ups_selector/index.cfm?lid=Go%20to%20the%20UPS%20Selectorhttp://docs.sun.com/source/816-1613-14/Chapter4.htmlhttp://whitepapers.techrepublic.com.com/abstract.aspx?docid=92243&promo=400222&kw=%5c%27calculate+power+requirements%5c%27http://www.apcmedia.com/salestools/VAVR-5TDTEF_R0_EN.pdf
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    10 ways to protect systems from electrical catastrophes

    Replace damaged or faulty UPS/surge protectors

    When a surge protector or UPS sustains a significant electrical surge, such as occurs with a lightning strike, thedevices internal electronics can fail. If warning lamps light, outlets stop operating, or batteries fail, replace thedamaged component or the entire UPS or surge protection device. You should do this even if the units

    telecommunications protective mechanism is the only component that fails.Although its tempting to continue using a UPS with only a single dead outlet or port, the fact the device sustainedan electrical charge sufficient to damage components indicates that other damage may have occurred. Suchdamage could prevent the UPS or surge protector from properly protecting connected equipment, thusnecessitating the devices replacement.

    Protect telecommunications links

    Always make sure that servers, PCs, and network equipment receive protection from electrical spikes that cantravel telecommunications links. Lightning strikes frequently discharge via cable modem, DSL, and telephonelines. The discharge isnt pretty, as everything from network interface cards to motherboards can be destroyed.

    When purchasing UPS and surge protection devices, look for models that protect connected equipment fromlightning strikes entering the network via data lines. Then, when deploying the UPS or surge protector, be sure toconnect the data line to the protective devices input. Connect a corresponding RJ-11 or RJ-45 cable to thedevices protected output to guard against l ightning damage on your network.

    Test power supplies

    Delicate electronic components within a computer, such ashard disk motors, memory, video cards, and motherboards,are sensitive to even minor fluctuations in a systems electricalsupply. Even if circuits have been tested, proper groundinghas been verified, and UPS or surge protectors are in place, asystems wayward power supply can inflict electrical damageon a PC or server.

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    Power supplies are a frequent cause of system reboots andfailures. Ive seen a power supply (on a system attached onlyto a power strip) continually reboot a machine while in theprocess of overheating. Thick, acrid white smoke poured fromthe malfunctioning power supply while the system keptrepeating vain attempts to restart.

    Whenever you encounter unexplained or intermittent rebootsand other flaky behavior, check the power supplys electricaloutput to ensure its working properly. Use either a multimeter,set to read the proper voltages, or a tool specifically designedto test a power supplys output.

    Devices such as this Vastech ATX 2.0Power Supply Tester make testing powersupplies easy.

    Malfunctioning power supplies should be replaced immediately to protect a systems components from electricaldamage and potential fire hazards. If a power supply has been distributing excessive electrical power to a system,its not a bad idea to test the motherboard, CPU, memory, and other components using a POST card to makesure that no additional repairs are required.

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    Maintain proper operating temperatures

    Temperature is a well-known and well-documented enemy of network switches, firewalls, PCs, servers, and otherequipment. High temperatures can adversely affect power supplies, potentially causing damage to a systemsinternal components. High temperatures can also prevent a UPS devices internal electronics from workingproperly, thereby leaving connected systems and equipment at risk.

    Protect against electrical damage resulting from overheating by ensuring that systems receive proper cooling.Keep all vents and fan outlets free of debris, boxes, files, folders, and other furniture. When performing routinesystem maintenance, verify that PC and server exhaust fans are working properly and are unobstructed.

    Ive encountered situations in which a PCs exhaust fans were blocked by documentation placed inside thesystem (to prevent the discs and license numbers from becoming separated from the unit or being lost). A goodidea in theory, but the resultant ventilation loss prompted the hard disk to fail as a result of its baking in the heatgenerated by its own electrical activity.

    Take steps to ensure that UPS devices also receive ample room to breathe. Dont stack boxes, retired PCs, orother equipment alongside UPSes, either in server rooms or in cubicles.

    Electricity use consistently generates heat, and that heat must be dissipated properly or damage and potentialdata loss will result. It sounds simple, but take a quick walk through any office environment and youll almostalways find at least one UPS buried by boxes, files, or other office material.

    Maintain proper insurance10

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    You can take numerous steps to prevent electrical damage to computers, servers, and other computingequipment, but sometimes your best efforts simply arent sufficient. Ive seen clients lose motherboards, NICs,hard disks, and more due to lightning strikes. Some of the damaged equipment was even connected to UPS andsurge protectors.

    Despite precautions, equipment can still end up being lost to electrical damage resulting from surges, lightning,and other disturbances. Business owners, even those with small operations, should make sure that insurancepolicies include riders or passages expressly covering computers and associated equipment. IT professionalsemployed by larger organizations should also work with their CTOs to properly maintain documentation requiredby the corporations insurers.

    Review your organizations property and casualty insurance policies. SOHO operators should reviewhomeowners policies. Regardless of organization size, you should record the model numbers, serial numbers,and purchase prices of all equipment. Also, collect photographs of all computer and related items. Both theinsurance policies and the supporting documentation should be securely stored off site. If a devastating electricalcrisis does occur, having proper insurance and associated documentation can help your organization recovermuch more quickly and efficiently.

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    10 ways to protect systems from electrical catastrophes

    Additional resources TechRepublic'sDownloads RSS Feed

    Sign up for TechRepublic's Downloads Weekly Update newsletter

    Sign up for our Network Administration NetNote

    Check out all of TechRepublic's free newsletters

    "10 things to seek in an uninterruptible power supply/surge-protection device" (TechRepublic download)

    "Monitor a UPS with the NUT package" (TechRepublic article)

    "Tips for managing IT facilities" (TechRepublic article)

    "Keep your systems running smoothly with these PC maintenance best practices" (TechRepublic download)

    Version historyVersion: 1.0Published: June 27, 2006

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