Importance and Benefits of Power Supply Equipment – A Power Supply Unit (PSU) is an internal IT hardware component. Despite the name, Power Supply Units (PSU) do not supply systems with power – instead, they convert it. Specifically, a power supply converts the alternating high voltage current (AC) into direct current (DC), and it also regulates the DC output voltage to the fine tolerances required for modern computing components.
Most power supplies are switched-mode (SMPS), which has both efficiency advantages and makes designing for multiple voltage inputs easier. This means that most PSUs can operate in different countries where the power input might change. In the UK, the voltage is 240V 50Hz, whereas in the USA the voltage is 120V 60Hz, and in Australia, it is 230V 50Hz.
Circuitrocks will discuss the importance and benefits of power supply equipment along with the need and efficiency of a power supply unit.
Need for a Power Supply Unit
The power supply unit is a crucial part of any server. Without it, your IT infrastructure would not work. It’s no surprise, then, that most systems include a power supply upon purchase. However, there is an alternative to the PSU that can be used in some instances.
By choosing Power over Ethernet (PoE), electrical power can be carried within network cables without being tethered to an electrical outlet. This is ideal for systems that need more flexibility; PoE can provide wireless access points to wherever is most convenient, and less space is taken up by wiring.
Efficiency of a Power Supply Unit
80 Plus power supplies have a scale of efficiency, going from 80 Plus and 80 Plus Bronze to Titanium. ‘80 Plus means that power supplies in this range will always operate at 80% efficiency at a minimum, and as you go up the scale towards 80 Plus Platinum and Titanium, you can experience up to 94% efficiency (when at 50% load).
The latest 80 Plus PSUs require high wattage to run most effectively, and so the 80 Plus Gold, Platinum, and Titanium supplies (up to 94%) are ideal for large data centers. 80 Plus Silver power supplies and below (a maximum efficiency of 88%) are more suitable for PCs and desktops. It is important to remember that the difference between a 90% efficiency rating and a 92% efficiency rating will make a massive difference in terms of energy utilized within large-scale data centers.
Advantages of Power Supply
- The efficiency is high as compared to LPS, with more than 80 to 90%
- The device used in SMPS is compact and very small in size
- The manufacturing cost is reduced
- Provide isolation between multiple outputs
- Low power wastage
- Less heat generation
- High power density
- Flexible technology
- Lower weight
- Providing the required number of voltages
- Strong anti-interference
- Reduced the harmonic feedback into the supply mains
- Wide ac input voltage
Importance and Benefits of Power Supply Equipment
A PSU will be instrumental in keeping things flowing and operational. But there are plenty of other excellent reasons you should consider this battery backup option for your business.
Normalizes the Power Supply
A massive thunderstorm isn’t the only cause of power problems. Other situations, like utility or car accidents, can just as easily cause voltage fluctuations and adversely affect your technology. Having a PSU can filter your power and help level out any inconsistencies. The result is longer-lasting equipment and fewer chances of losing important data during dips or surges.
Maintains Business
A battery backup in a power emergency can make all the difference in your bottom line. Blackouts and brownouts could render it impossible for you to do business; even minor blips in your power can turn an ordinary day into a haphazard mess. You won’t have to worry about outages to your most critical equipment with a PSU. Everything from factory production lines to office computers can continue working regardless of the power situation.
Protects Your Tech
If lightning strikes in the “right” place, it won’t take much to fry your hardware and possibly lose information and technology essential to your business. A PSU will not only switch over to the battery backup at a moment’s notice, but it’ll also shield your technology from the incoming voltage.
Improves Business Efficiency
If your business loses power, you could be stuck with doing damage control for quite some time. But your battery backup can protect you from surges that cause costly downtime. Investing in a PSU will mean less opportunity for inefficiencies and less time spent dealing with the fallout that can come from power issues.
Buys Time
An uninterruptible power supply is an excellent addition to your emergency toolkit. If you already own a standby emergency generator, a more straightforward PSU can help make the transition to the generator much smoother. It also gives you plenty of time to plan your next steps. Whether you want to wait it out and continue as usual or start a controlled shutdown of specific equipment, the choice can be yours.
Conclusion
Purchasing an incorrectly sized PSU System can be a costly mistake as several factors need to be taken into account such as load power, autonomy time, future expansion needs, application and environment. In addition to this, ensuring the correct system topology and redundancy levels is also an important consideration. To ensure that the correctly designed solution is purchased, it is recommended that you get in contact with Circuitrocks who will assist to ensure your needs are fully met.
