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POWER FAILURE
A total loss of utility power. Can be caused by a number of events;
lightning strikes, downed power lines, grid over demands, accidents
and natural disasters. Power failure can lead to hardware damage,
data loss, or total system crashes. |
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POWER SAGS
Short-term low voltage. Triggered by the startup of large loads,
utility switching, utility equipment failure, lightning and power
service that's too small for the demand. Similar to power failures,
sags can damage the hardware. |
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POWER SURGES
Also known as a Spike. Short-term high voltage above 110% of nominal.
With voltages above 110% of nominal, surges can be triggered by a
rapid reduction in power loads, heavy equipment being turned off,
or by utility switching. The results can potentially damage hardware. |
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UNDER VOLTAGE
Also known as a Brownout. Reduced line voltage for extended periods
of a few minutes to a few days. Can be caused by an intentional utility
voltage reduction to conserve power during peak demand periods or
other heavy loads that exceed supply capacity. Undervoltage can lead
to equipment failure. |
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OVER VOLTAGE
Increased line voltage for extended periods of a few minutes to a
few days. Can be caused by a lightning strike and can send line voltages
to levels in excess of 6,000 volts. Overvoltage almost always results
in data loss or hardware damage. |
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ELECTRICAL LINE NOISE
High frequency waveform caused by RFI or EMI interference. Can be
caused by either RFI or EMI interference generated by transmitters,
welding devices, SCR driven printers, lightning, etc. Introduces
glitches and errors into programs/files as well as damaging hardware
components. |
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FREQUENCY VARIATION
A change in frequency stability. Resulting from generator or small
co-generation sites being loaded and unloaded. Frequency variation
can cause erratic operation, data loss, system crashes and equipment
damage. |
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SWITCHING TRANSIENT
Instantaneous undervoltage (notch) in the range of nanoseconds. Normal
duration is shorter than a spike and generally falls in the range
of nanoseconds. Can result in quirky computer behaviour and puts stress
on components which can lead to premature failure. |
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HARMONIC DISTORTION
Distortion of the normal waveform generally. Switch mode power supplies,
variable speed motors and drives, copiers and fax machines are examples
of nonlinear loads. Can cause communication errors, overheating and
hardware damage. |
Powerware
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