Backup Power is also known as an Emergency Power System, Backup Power Systems are types of systems that may include generators, lighting and many other apparatus, to provide a backup of resources (power) incase regular power systems fail or incase of a crisis. Backup Power is by many different people / companies / industries around the world, these include: Residential Homes, Data Centre, Modern Naval ships, Scientific Laboratories, Telecommunications Equipment and one of the most important places where Backup Power is needed is in Hospitals. Hospitals greatly rely on the knowledge that should anything happen to their power system they have Backup Power in place. A hospital could not run efficiently with out it, if there was to be a power failure every single piece of medical equipment in a hospital would shut down. This could be minor things like computers or monitoring equipment… but in some cases this could be dangerous, if a patient was on a Life Support Machine that machine would fail rendering it useless and putting the patients life at risk. Every Hospital should have its own form of backup power, usually backup generators and large hospitals may even have multiple of these incase the unlikely incident of a backup Power system also failing.
The History of Backup Power
Backup Power systems can date back to as early as World War II, they were used on Naval ships. These Naval Ships were at danger of loosing the function of their steam engines during combat, the steam engines powered the steam driven turbines for the generator. In this case they used one or often more than one diesel engines to drive back up the generators. Early transfer switches were not automatic tho and they relied on manual operation. There would be two switches that would be placed horizontally, in line and the on position of the switch would be facing each other. A rod was placed in between the two switches and in order for the switch to function one source must be turned off, when switched off this moves the rod to the other side where the other source is turned on.
Control of the Backup Power System
To avoid a long supply of electric wires a central battery system with automatic controls is used, this is located in the power station building itself. This type of system is used for a 208 VAC Backup Power Systems. The central battery system of the Backup Power consists of lead-acid battery cell units, these make up a 24 or 12 VDC System, stand-by cells are also used each with its own battery charging unit. Voltage sensing units are also required and they must be capable of receiving 208 VAC. Incase the 208 VAV station supply fails an automatic systems is required, this automatic system must be able to signal and activate the emergency supply unit.
Nuclear Plants also require a for of Backup Power, however this is slightly different and is know as EDG's (Emergency Diesel Generators).
Emergency Battery Backup Power
In the winter of 06-07 parts of Arkansas, Illinois, Kansas, and Missouri were without power for up to two weeks. In the meantime business and homeowners were forced to deal with frozen pipes, flooded basements, cold buildings, darkness, and lack of running water. Trying to find a portable generator to purchase or rent during this period became nearly impossible. Whether you are a business or homeowner a backup power source is a good investment, think of it as an insurance policy against discomfort and loss of profits. There are two types of generators available that can be used as a source of power, portable or standby. In the event you are considering such a purchase I recommend doing your homework very carefully. The internet and any reputable generator dealer are great sources for this information. A licensed electrician should also be consulted and hired before any installation begins.
Portable generators are available from $500-$3500 and are the type you see on construction sites and campgrounds. These are normally powered by gasoline or diesel fuel and are easily transported with a pickup truck. Depending on your power needs an investment of around $1000 is enough to power a few essential items in the average home such as sump pump, well pump, deep freeze, refrigerator, television, forced air furnace (natural gas or propane), and a few lights. Due to the large amount of power required by central air conditioning units on startup even the most powerful portable generators are not enough to run central air. However a small window unit can be powered by some of the larger portable units.
Standby generators are available from $1500-$70,000+ and are the type used in homes to hospitals. These models usually require a small concrete pad for them to be mounted on and are wired into the buildings electrical panel with the use of a transfer switch. Normally powered by diesel fuel, natural gas, or propane these generators can be set to come on automatically upon the loss of power. Properly installed the transition from grid to backup power is a nearly seamless flickering of the lights and can be setup to run only a few essential circuits or the whole building including central air conditioning. Standby generators are always there, well standing by, in case they are needed and will even start themselves once a week or so to charge the battery and circulate fluids so they will be ready when required.
Caution should always be used around any generator and the manufacturers recommendations followed to the letter due to the obvious dangers posed by these devices. Under no circumstances should a generator be hooked to a buildings wiring system by the practice commonly known as back-feeding! This practice is extremely dangerous and is life threatening to people even miles away, not to mention being illegal in most localities. The use of a transfer switch and licensed electrician to install it is the only safe and proper way to go.
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Daniel Owen has sinced written about articles on various topics from Management, Cars and computers and the internet. About Author:Daniel Owen writes about Back Up Power. To know more about. Daniel Owen's top article generates over 22200 views. Bookmark Daniel Owen to your Favourites.
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