360 Systems 2470SD Time Delay - Manual (Page 10)

10 • Broadcast Time Delay
Important Installation Notes
Power Conditioning
It is good practice to operate an on-air video server from an Uninterruptible Power Source, or UPS.
All utility power systems experience occasional transient events, including brownouts and dropouts,
which are capable of taking a server off the air. It is the station operator’s job to plan for and
overcome such contingencies.
UPS units suitable for smoothing short-term power line problems come in two varieties:
Change-over UPS Design
This design senses drop-outs and low-line voltage, and switches its output to an internal inverter
operating from a battery. This UPS is low in cost, and is most often used in non-critical applications
such as desk-top computers. A disadvantage is that it may create its own power transients when
switching between utility power and its inverter supply. For this reason 360 Systems does not
recommend this type for use with Time Delay.
Continuous Conversion UPS Design
This improved design continuously converts utility power to DC, stores it in a battery, then
produces isolated AC power from an inverter. It never switches, and is immune to input transients,
brownouts, and blackouts. Models are available with batteries of almost any size, making the
continuous-conversion UPS suitable for transient suppression or long-term operating power in the
absence of utility power.
Recommended UPS Models
The following makes of continuous conversion UPS systems are suitable for use with 360 Systems’
Image Server products:
APC Smart-UPS 2200-XL
Eaton/Powerware Corporation, Model 9125, www.powerware.com
This unit is available in several different configurations to accommodate various current load and
power failure support times.
The minimum requirement for maximum current load for a single Time Delay is 2 amps.
Operating Environment
A video server is a most critical element in a broadcast operation. Its installation should safeguard it
from every external event that can interfere with it doing the task expected of it. 360 Systems’
engineers have experience with thousands of installations, and have become aware of a number of
environmental factors that can adversely affect performance. Two of these have already been
discussed: power conditioning and inadequate cooling. Two others, less obvious, should also be
considered: