Emerson Network Power :: Small Business

Small Business Applications
Following are technology solutions small and home businesses can use to protect themselves against lost product, lost customers and lost revenue when the lights go out.

What are they and how do they work?

In the event of a power outage, natural gas, gasoline or diesel fuel generators provide a high quality, reliable and quiet-operating standby emergency power source. Generators restore power once the local utility or other commercial power source fails but must be activated manually or through an automatic switching system at the time of the grid failure.

How much and how can I get one?

Generators designed to meet the needs of small businesses range from $6,000 for a home business to $15,000 for a convenience store/gas station operation. While some smaller generators are available over the counter, most generators for small business use are ordered through contractors or supply houses.

What are they and how do they work?

Many small business owners would rather avoid having to operate an on-site generator themselves when a power outage occurs. They want an emergency power system that starts, operates and shuts down automatically, allowing them to focus on their business operations … and not having to rush to the office or store when power fails after business hours.

The key technology to make this happen is an automatic power transfer switch.

When utility power fails, this technology serves as an automatic bridge from electricity supplied by the utility to a backup generator at the business.
These switches automatically detect a power outage and start and operate a generator within seconds. They then safely shut down the generator and automatically reconnect the business to the utility when utility power returns.
Power transfer switches also come in a manual form. Business owners start the generator themselves and then transfer power by throwing a switch on the outside of the generator. These transfer switches are economical and easy to operate.

Emerson technologies

Emerson Network Power is the world’s largest manufacturer of power transfer switches. Its ASCO Power Technologies division offers both automatic and manual power transfer switches, including self-contained packages with everything needed for an onsite emergency power system.

ASCO’s Series 165 and Series 300 Power Transfer Switches and Power Transfer Load Centers use the same technology as that used in switches that transfer power to generators in seconds for large hospitals, world-class airports and data and financial centers. These products include an automatic power transfer switch, distribution circuit breakers and surge suppressors in one self-contained package.
Small business owners willing to tolerate loss of power for a couple of minutes can depend on the Series 165 and Series 300 Manual Power Transfer Switches.

How much and how can I get one?

Available through contractors, this technology ranges in price from about $1,000 for a small home business to $3,500 for a convenience store.

What are they and how do they work?

According to the 2004 Small Business Power Poll, more than half of small business owners identify “securing computer data such as financial/customer records” as their biggest priority during a power outage.

Uninterruptible Power Supplies (UPS) are critical to protecting the computerized systems every size business depends upon. UPS shifts small businesses to battery power when an outage occurs, providing uninterruptible power to protect computers and other sensitive electronics and data. If no backup generator is available for prolonged outages, the UPS executes a controlled shutdown of protected equipment when the outage is about to exceed UPS battery capacity, ensuring that data is not lost or damaged.

In addition, UPS “conditions” the power being sent to the computer systems, which are extremely sensitive to fluctuations in power quality. UPS can eliminate sags, surges and other disturbances that can damage microelectronics, or cause unexpected shutdown of computer systems.

Emerson technologies

Emerson is a leader in Uninterruptible Power Supplies to protect the availability of computers and other sensitive electronics, including power, environmental and monitoring systems. Its Liebert UPS systems are available in a wide range of capacities and configurations to meet the needs of every size business.

Emerson’s ability to provide power and environmental control in a self-contained cabinet allows small businesses to provide data center quality protection to computers in almost any environment.

How much and how can I get one?

Depending on the demands of the home or small business, UPS systems can run from as little as $120 for a small UPS to protect a single PC or workstation, to as high as $3,000 for a more complex system in a small business or office. They are available through contractors, distributors, value-added resellers or direct from the manufacturer.