What's The Difference Between A Power Surge And A Power Outage?
Archive for March, 2010
Power Surge Or Power Drain? You Are Your Own Power Source!
Mar 31st
As we approach another holiday season and roll into the beginning of another new year – personally and professionally – it’s natural to reflect a bit. Ever the time for looking at where we are, where we’ve been and, with a sense of hope, where we’re going. New budgets, new goals and, of course, our personal self-improvement resolutions are on the horizon! Before I continue, let me say that you are a terrific person who’s doing the best you can with what you have right now. It’s been a difficult few months out there for all of us and we need to remember that we will be fine…patience, perseverance, positive.
December and January are typically the time for organizational and business leaders/managers to wrap up year-end activities; review the past year’s successes and areas for improvement; for revising goals and making adjustments in budgets and the overall workplace. The wild economic ride and ensuing changes during the past few months of 2008 have brought change and choices to all of us in one way or another with some more drastic than others. Whether it was change you or your employees chose or change that chose you or them, the effect can be draining on our personal power source. How are you doing? How are your employees doing? Have you asked them? Talked with them “P2P?”
January is also prime time for personal reflection. As I approach another birthday (January 9), I don’t bother about the number! It’s only a number! I think of my Dad who died in 1976 at age 60 and Mom who died in 2001 at age 88. I inherited their deep faith, “positive attitude DNA” and their determination to make “lemon meringue pie out of life’s lemons.” There’s so much more to do…
Just like you, I have experienced life’s changes and choices – some I made and some that chose me – changes in residence, geographic relocation, divorce, single parenthood, job changes, job elimination, job betrayals, downsizing, finishing my education while working full-time, elderly parents’ declining health, starting my business…and the list goes on. Some of you may have heard me say, “I used to be six feet tall, look what happened!” And cap it off by saying, “I’m on the grow again!”
As I reflect, here’s how I’ve coped…when a “perceived negative event” occurs, sure, I’ve gone through the stages of grief, anger, and the rest. What I’ve learned to say (and believe), is “Everything happens for a reason.” I ask myself “what can I learn from this (adversity) situation? What do I need to do now to keep going?” Instead of burying my head in the sand just waiting for time to pass and playing the “victim” role, I take a lesson from my parents’ play book! Let the dust settle, think about what’s happened, the role I played in it, what I can do differently, pick up the pieces, pray for guidance and get to work! I give myself a “Power Surge!” What about you? Are you a “Power Surge” or a “Power Drain?”
Either way, You Are Your Own Power Source!
The Power Surge – Self-Empowerment – is relying on your own inner power and actively working through the adversity, which helps ease the pain and frustration. Positive Self-Talk and action are the antidotes for negativity and plant the seeds for success! The Power to make your life anything that YOU want it to be is inside of you right now!
As we come to the close of one year and begin another – both personally and professionally – let us remember that, in addition to setting new goals and understanding the financial aspects, effective leaders/managers continue to improve upon the three key leadership traits they need to possess to achieve results through people — objectivity, empathy, and self-awareness. It’s all about “P2P” and the importance of including in their high priorities, the employees – the people who are really driving their organization.
We know from history that economic downturns and recessions have tested the ability of leaders across the globe – in all sectors and in all industries. We learned that there are no easy answers! Including a “people strategy” (P2P) in your business plans is a wise move because, without the people, the plans would not be fully executed.
Keep Your Power! Come out of your office; interact with your employees, your co-workers, your customers, your suppliers/vendors; increase communication; talk (face-to-face) with the people – they make your business work each day; seek their input; show your authenticity and human-ness! It’s all about “P2P”!
Your attitude and behavior have a direct affect on bottom-line results, either positively or negatively. Think about how you are affecting your employees, co-workers and the workplace environment…
Are you a “Power Surge” or a “Power Drain?” Either way, You Are Your Own Power Source!
A Positive Workplace Means Business! It Just Makes Cent$! TM
Mary Jane (MJ) Paris, Founder and President of Positive Impact Consulting Services, LLC in Shelton, CT, brings a broad base of experience to her practice gained from more than 25 years in people management, sales, retail banking, training, recruiting, coaching, project management, event planning and community leadership.
With a focus on “The Positive Workplace,” MJ and Positive Impact specialize in leadership and professional development programs, speaking engagements, and small business coaching that bring “Positive Energy” to your workplace. Engage employees, maximize productivity, improve customer service and business results…
mj@posimpact.net
203-929-6702
http://www.posimpact.net
Is a Dollar’s Strength an Anomaly?
Mar 30th
This article was, originally, graph intensive. Please, bear with its current form.
The U.S. Dollar surged through its daily resistance and is well on its way into the overhead weekly resistance between 75.88 and 77.24. Although the rally has been impressive, it’s important to maintain the perspective that the Dollar is in a bear market. Even if we were able to rally another 300 points, that would only bring us back to the 38% retracement level from the ‘06 highs.
Of recent interest in the Dollar’s surge are the factors that television commentators claim are fueling it. The major factors receiving notice are, the decline in energy prices and commodities in general, the European Central Bank’s deflationary comments and finally, the worse than expected jobless claims number. The following factors are deflationary and the U.S. equity markets are rejoicing.
I would ask the question, “Have the preceding factors created a bottom in the economic cycle or, are we seeing a more general global slowdown?” I believe that the domestic economic issues have not been addressed and that a globally deflationary environment will create more problems for the U.S. Dollar than it will solve.
First, examine the chart on import prices. The double top may have proven to be the limit. Clearly, it has already begun to turn down. This index includes oil which, when priced separately, is 5% higher than imports in general. Oil is germaine to the topic because the $25+ decline has NOT been priced in and will contribute greatly to the establishment of this chart’s double top.
If, in fact, overall commodity prices are topping out then, this will also reduce demand for U.S. commodity exports. Exports have helped to offset the declining Dollar over the last two years as global demand and globally anomalous weather patterns have made the U.S. the supply center for the world. Dollar strength and, or a global slowdown will curb the primary growth engine for the U.S. economy. What effect will this have on a sluggish employment picture?
Obviously, the unemployment pressure is still to the upside. Will global commodity deflation offset the cost of a declining employment base? According to many pundits, the tax refund checks have gone to cover current expenses, rather than paying down debt. That leaves many people still looking for meaningful employment opportunities. This is most clearly illustrated in this week’s jobless claims.
The past two weeks’ claims have surpassed the historically significant 450,000 threshold. As you can see from the chart, this threshold is frequently accompanied by a recession. Based on the previous factors, I fail to see continued strength in the U.S. Dollar or, the U.S. economy. While the equity markets have broached the 20% bear market threshold and, recently bounced, I still view this as a selling opportunity in both equities and the Dollar.
It appears that this is beginning to be priced into the interest rate markets as well. Inflationary pressures are easing. This is taking the pressure off of the Federal Reserve Board to tighten rates at the next meeting on September 6th. Furthermore, the declining employment picture will add pressure to hold or, LOWER, rates at meetings through the end of the year. This stance is contrary to the hawkish inflationary stance that has been their premise for much of this year. Finally, the combination of a declining equity market in an election year would also add to the shift in the FOMC’s position from hawkish to dovish. The last chart is beginning to tip the market’s hand as it points to lower rates ahead…once again leading to a lower Dollar.
Andy Waldock
http://www.commodityandderivativeadv.com
866-990-0777
Choosing a Good Electrical Contractor
Mar 29th
Sometimes hiring a qualified electrical contractor for your home or business can be challenging. Since any electrical work has some safety issues involved, we strongly recommend hiring a professional electrical contractor. Many home owners think that wiring a house is an easy job, but keep in mind that there are many electric codes you need to follow. Will you be able to do the job and make sure that everything is done correctly and up to code?
In most cases it is always a good idea to find professional electrician with expertise and experience. It’s a good idea to identify your particular need before you start calling different contractors. Do you need electrician for new construction or major renovation? Is the work needed for your home or business? Does electrical work include specialized systems, such as security, fire alarm, audio and video systems, internet and TV?
Having a clear picture in mind of what needs to be done will help you to describe your project to potential electrical contractor. Once you have explained your specific needs, your goal is to find electrical contractor that is:
o Licensed and insured
o Technically proficient
o Reputable and financially stable
o Has a thorough understanding of your needs
Important question to ask a contractor is whether or not he will obtain the permits needed for the job. Good electrical contractor will obtain the permits, however, you will be charged for the actual price of the permit. When signing a contract with a contractor, inquire about the contractor’s warranty and insurance, and get it in writing. Does the electrician guarantee that the work will be completed to meet code? Will the electrician correct work that doesn’t meet applicable standards? Insist on a written estimate and a copy of the contractor’s insurance certificate.
To complete any construction project you need right tools. Panasonic cordless drill is the best drill on the market. Alexander Faust is a successful internet marketer who travels around the world while working online and offers free backlinks to all webmasters.
How Digital Technology Touches Your Life?
Mar 28th
Advances in digital technology have created a positive difference in our lives in more ways than one. The range of devices on offer today are not only powerful but loaded with the best of features and functionality.
Mobile phones: These are not just communication devices but complete entertainment devices with features such as camera, MP3, video player and games. No wonder mobiles have become almost like toys for grown ups.
MP3 Players: What’s better than enjoying your favorite music on the go? Mp3 players have come in as a great lifestyle product. It’s not uncommon to find people enjoying their players while driving, jogging and even while working. Modern day MP3 players are extremely sleek and compact, and loaded with the best of features.
Notebooks: There was a time when notebooks used to be reserved for the super-rich. But fortunately now notebooks have become highly affordable and pack in power and functionality equivalent to desktops. In fact the trends have changed so much that now even students and young executives are purchasing notebooks and not desktops. The obvious advantage is that your data stays with you at all times and you can continue your work no matter where you are: home, car, park, virtually anywhere.
Gaming machines: Gaming machine options have created a whole new world of fun and entertainment for kids and grown-ups alike. Gaming consoles such as playstation and X-box have more processing power than many PCs available in the market. This power punch enables them to support high end graphics and audio, thus creating a superb gaming experience for the user.
Digital Cable Devices: People around the world are now increasingly opting for digital cable TV options such as DTH and digital set-top boxes. Digital cable TV features include DVD quality audio & video, uninterrupted viewing, and movies-on-demand.
Jack Albert is a dedicated writer writes for Digitelly, which is one of the best digital cable in India.
Power and Your PC
Mar 27th
The power coming into a computer is the most critical component, and it may be one of the most overlooked. It is just taken for granted that it will always be there and working properly. A top of the line processor and ultra powerful video card do nothing if a system does not receive the ample, stable power it demands. Having quality components providing and regulating the power supplied to a computer is critical, and this brief overview looks at a few areas worth consideration.
Power Supplies
Computer power supplies take the high (110V or 220V) DC voltages from an electrical outlet and convert it to the various lower AC voltages required for a system to operate. The typical voltages required inside a computer are 3.3V, 5V, and 12V, where the 3.3V and 5V lines are generally used to power circuitry, and the 12V line provides power to run items such as hard drives, optical drives, and cooling fans.
Power supplies are sold in terms of their total power output, in terms of wattage. Choosing the correct power supply means not only finding one that will provide enough power for all of the components connected to the system, but also one that is the correct size physically, has enough connections for typical drives and fans, and if necessary, that also has special connections for things such as Serial ATA drives and modern video cards.
Choosing a power supply with enough power shouldn’t be much of a problem, as having more power than you need is never a bad thing. Just because a power supply is rated for 400W, or perhaps 600W, does not imply that it is drawing that at any given time. It just indicates the total power available to the various lines inside the computer. For those interested in getting a good idea of their minimum power requirements, this Power Wattage Calculator is a convenient reference. In addition to checking out the total wattage of a power supply, looking for strong amperage ratings on the 3.3V, 5V, and 12V lines is also recommended, as power supplies with identical total power ratings may distribute the power to the various lines in different quantities.
Power supplies come in a few different physical sizes, but the most common are designed to fit the standard ATX and micro ATX (mATX) form factor cases. A typical ATX power supply, such as this Echo-Star 680W unit, measures 3.25″ x 6″ x 5.5″ and features two cooling fans to not only cool the power supply, but to also help draw hot air out of the computer. A typical mATX power supply, such as this A-Power 320W unit, measures 2.5″ x 5″ x 4″ and due to the smaller size features just one cooling fan. mATX cases are generally much smaller than ATX cases, and therefore have smaller power supplies, with generally lower power ratings, and fewer connectors.
The connectors on a power supply also deserve consideration. Most power supplies come with what looks to be an electric octopus of wires hanging off the back surface, and you need to make sure that somewhere in that tangled bundle are all of the connectors you need. The power supply should at least have as many connections as the number of drives, cooling fans, and other items found in the case. Up until recently power supplies had a fixed number of connections, and if you needed more, you needed to use splitters to distribute the power to all the components. Modular power supplies, such as the Ultra X-Connect 500W unit, are now available that eliminate that “electric octopus” all together, and allow the end user to connect just the cables they need. The flexibility of a modular power supply design not only lets you customize the connections to your needs, it also makes for a simple and tidy installation, since there are no extra wires dangling inside the case.
The selection of a high quality power supply may cost more money up front, but down the road it could wind up saving money. Many manufacturers now offer power supplies that consume less energy thanks to high quality internal components, advanced designs, and active power factor correction. These units are now able to provide the same power to the components in a computer, but due to increased efficiency, draw less power from the electrical outlet.
Surge Protectors
Surge protectors are intended to protect your electronics from a brief increase in voltage caused by such things as lightning, rolling blackouts, and heavy drawing electrical equipment. A surge protector reacts to divert the extra electricity to ground, and thus protects your expensive computer equipment from damage. A surge is any increase lasting three nanoseconds or longer, so a surge protector needs to react quickly. Most surge protectors also include a fuse (or breaker), and if the surge is too great to be handled without interruption, the fuse will blow. Although the fuse may be destroyed, it’s a small loss compared to what it may have saved.
Surge protectors come in all shapes and styles. Some basic models can even be found at your local dollar store, but offer no more than a few outlets connected to a breaker. No serious protection is obtained, but many people just want more outlets, not protection.
More serious surge protectors will probably cost a bit more than a dollar, but will offer some peace of mind that your equipment is actually being protected. In addition to protecting from electrical surges, some devices include extra features such as conditioning to filter out line noise and ports to protect other lines such as cable television, telephone, and networking.
The Fellowes Smart Surge Power Strip protects up to 10 devices from surges, as well as offering line conditioning and ports to protect your phone line. A highly appealing feature of such a surge protector is that 4 of the ports are designed to accept bulky AC adaptors. For those with surge protectors that weren’t designed to be this user friendly, there is still hope in the form of Power Strip Saver Cables. Basically just 7 inch long extension cords, these items can come in very handy when trying to connect multiple AC adaptors to a more traditional surge protector.
Uninterruptible Power Supplies
Many people familiar with Uninterruptible power supplies (UPS) know that they can keep a computer up and running during a total power failure, but don’t know what else they do. Most UPSes will also provide protection from voltage surges and sags (when the voltage drops below normal), as well as protection from the possibility of a shift in the electricity’s frequency.
UPSes come in two varieties, standby and continuous, although standby versions are far more common and less expensive. A standby UPS allows the devices connected to it to run from the normal electrical connection until a loss of power is detected, at which point it quickly (in a matter of milliseconds) switches to the battery backup of the UPS. A continuous UPS always has the devices connected to it running off of battery power, while the batteries are recharged by the normal electrical connection.
UPSes are sold in terms of their capacity, in terms of VA (voltage multiplied by amperage). This implies that devices connected to the UPS can draw a maximum of so much amperage at a specific voltage. A run time after a power failure is also generally specified for a UPS based on a full load being placed on the device.
Selecting a UPS needs to be based on the intended use… A smaller unit, such as the Fenton 600VA, would be adequate for powering a typical desktop computer, monitor, and smaller peripherals such as a printer and lighting for what they rate as 15-23 minutes at full load. If multiple systems need to be powered, or perhaps there are plans for future expansion that will add to the power demands, a larger unit such as the Tripp Lite 1500VA may be more appropriate. The first two units are intended to be set in close proximity to the devices to be powered, perhaps on the floor behind a desk, but if you are seeking to add a UPS to a server, there are also rackmount solutions such as the Opti-UPS 1100VA.
No matter the application, sizing a UPS may seem overwhelming. One manufacturer, APC, has created a handy UPS Selector Application which will take some of the guess work out of choosing the right UPS for any particular application.
Final Words
A computer system is only as strong as its weakest feature, and many times that distinction falls on the power supply and related components. By choosing a quality power supply, surge protector, and perhaps a UPS, one can make sure that they have adequately strong and stable power to keep their system running now, as well as down the road when upgrades may increase the demand on their system.
Jason Kohrs
Computer Geeks tech tips and computer advice
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