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A power cut, a power out, a power failure, a blackout — whatever you call it, a power outage can be disastrous to your business.
A loss of electric power supply, either short- or long-term, can disrupt your service and operations, interrupt communication both internally and externally, lead to a loss of sensitive and important data, and cost you valuable time and money — thousands, if not hundreds of thousands of pounds. The consequences are even more severe in the healthcare sector, where a loss of power can mean a loss of life.
A power outage can be caused by many different factors, including:
Weather, particularly storms, lightning, wind, snow and floods.
Trees falling onto the power lines.
Animals coming into contact with fuses and transformers.
A vehicle colliding into an electricity pole.
Excavation digging disrupting underground cables.
A surge or spike in power demand.
Equipment failure due to age or other factors.
Short circuiting.
In the recent current Coronavirus pandemic it wasn't just businesses that had to worry about power outages; British households were also told to prepare for blackouts during the lockdown. The combination of a surge in energy demand due to more people staying at home and energy firms facing a potential shortage of engineers caused by sickness and self-isolation increased the risk of power outages in homes across the UK.
The good news, however, is that you can prevent the damaging effects of a power outage. From UPS systems to generators, there are various backup power solutions to keep you up and running in the event of a blackout. From finance and construction to manufacturing and defence, having an emergency power supply is absolutely critical to safeguarding your business from the potentially devastating consequences of a power failure.
Here’s how you can prevent a power outage.
UPS is one of the most popular and responsive backup power solutions on the market. Short for uninterruptible power supply, UPS is a device that provides battery backup when the power fails or voltage drops to an unacceptable level, preventing any interruption to its connected devices.
UPS systems can vary in size and complexity, but one of the benefits of all UPS models is that it provides a near-instantaneous supply of backup power. Its built-in sensor technology means it switches on within milliseconds of it detecting a power interruption, ensuring a seamless transition of power supply and continuity for your business.
There are three different types of UPS topology:
Off-line / standby — Where the UPS converts DC power from its battery into an AC current the moment it senses a loss of power or voltage surge, keeping its connected devices running without any interruption. This is the most common UPS system and is mainly used for personal computers and other basic consumer electronics.
Line-interactive — This operates similar to a standby UPS, but with the addition of a multi-tap variable-voltage autotransformer. This autotransformer “interacts” with the AC power line to smooth out the waveforms and correct any voltage fluctuations without switching to battery.
On-line / double conversion — The most advanced and powerful UPS system, this provides a clean, continuous and near-perfect backup power supply. Instead of drawing and converting AC power from an outlet, an on-line UPS runs solely off a constantly-recharging DC battery so it doesn’t need to make the switch into battery mode. Therefore, there is no time delay if the utility power fails. On-line UPS systems are commonly used in situations dealing with critical data or extremely sensitive components.
When it comes to choosing the right UPS system for your business, there are many factors to take into consideration. Can it handle my power demands? How much physical space does it require? Is the UPS durable enough to withstand the conditions of my work environment?
From the DALE E101L (1kVA / 700W capacity), DALE E1015L (1.5kVA / 1.05W capacity) and DALE E102L (2kVA / 1400W capacity) through to the DALE E73320 (80kVA / 72KW capacity), DALE E733100 (100kVA / 90KW capacity) and DALE E733400 (250kVA / 200-250KW capacity), we offer a superb range of UPS products to meet all your power needs, whether it’s for an office full of computers, data centre servers or heavy machinery.
Powerful and dependable, diesel generators are an essential component of any backup power supply system. A diesel generator produces electricity by converting diesel fuel into mechanical rotating energy, which is then used by an alternator to generate electricity. When the main power supply cuts off, a diesel generator can be automatically switched on, providing a continuous supply of emergency power.
Another benefit of backup generators is their versatility. Diesel generators are used in a wide range of applications across many different industries and can supply power to all kinds of equipment and machinery. A diesel generator can also be used to offset peak power needs on grids.
At Dale, we have a fantastic range of top-of-the-line diesel generators ready to meet all your power needs and applications to keep your business operating.
Medium Voltage Generators — From the HMW-1145 T5 (1145 kVA capacity) to the HTW-1620 T6A (1844 kVA capacity), these are trusted solutions for mission-critical facilities such as hospitals, refineries, and petrochemical plants.
Industrial Range Generators — Reliable and affordable, these robust generators can handle even the most strenuous of power demands, whether you’re in the mining, marine or military industry.
Heavy Range Generators — These powerful generators provide not only emergency power, but a continuous power supply, making them an ideal solution for hospitals and financial institutions.
Silent Range Generators — As their name suggests, silent generators produce low levels of sound emissions and are perfect for locations with greater acoustic restrictions, such as in urban areas.
Offshore & Renewable Generators — Specifically designed for offshore and marine applications, these generators offer reduced emissions and fuel consumption, as well as a high power density modular generator.
No matter how well designed and built any piece of electrical equipment is, wear and tear is inevitable, and without frequent attention, it will eventually falter. Given the unpredictable world (like we’re seeing right now!) and escalating demand, this can put a real strain on your power supply. Worse yet, if your UPS or generator goes offline, this will impair all of the equipment that it’s connected to with potentially long-term effects.
Luckily, there are measures to prevent this from happening. Regular service and maintenance ensures that your backup power systems are always operating efficiently and at optimal levels while extending their lifespan to give you greater value for money. By carrying out regular service and maintenance work on your UPS or generator, you get peace of mind that your business will remain up and running at all times and is protected from the potentially disastrous effects of a blackout.
At Dale, we provide flexible, innovative and cost-effective regular service and maintenance. Our service comprises three key components: regular testing and preventative maintenance scheduling; an emergency call-out service with an optimum response time; and an end-of-life replacement policy for your equipment. Our service and maintenance is carried out by our team of experienced, industry-accredited and award-winning technical engineers, so you can rest assured you’re in safe hands.
With over 80 years’ of industry experience, Dale is the trusted provider of backup power. If you’d like to protect your business from a power outage and are based in areas including Manchester, London, Glasgow or Kent, get in touch with our friendly and expert team today on 0330 999 3000.