Feel the force

Convergence is having a big effect on the power sector. Companies are offering more modular systems with plug-and-play capabilities, as well as remote monitoring capabilities. All of these areas will be big this year at Supercomm '99, as power vendors unveil more intuitive products than ever before.

In the uninterruptible power supply sector, Best Power is introducing BestLink SNMP/Web Adapter, which allows a user to remotely monitor UPSs in the field. According to Reggie Peck, national account manager of telecommunications, BestLink creates an Internet protocol (IP) address anywhere the UPS is. The system can reboot a router, reset a UPS and get a history of outages at a site. It works with a variety of Web browsers and can be used with the company's RS-232 equipped UPSs from 400 VA to 18 kVA.

Best Power will also feature the Fortress.TeleCom, a UPS product that can be tower-, rack- or wall-mounted. It is available in four models: 750 VA, 1050 VA, 1425 kVA and 2250 kVA. The 1425 kVA model lists at $1019. The new Axxium double conversion UPS features extended run time. The system, which also has three mounting options, caters to the low-end market below 3 kVA, said Deb Jensen, vertical champion at Best Power.

Uninterruptible Power Products Inc. will highlight the Pioneer LineUPS AC line conditioner. The unit can be field-upgraded to a full UPS. It features a smart microprocessor-controlled power monitoring and logging circuit that will detect, monitor and suppress any spike, surge, sag, brownout or AC line problem.

The rise of broadband services is also driving power product design. "Developing smaller, hardened power supplies that can withstand environmental strains is a big issue as wireless and broadband networks grow and become more prominent," said a spokesman for Lucent Technologies. Lucent is highlighting the CPS 4000+ cabinet power system at the show. New enhancements add remote monitoring/access capabilities to the company's existing CPS 4000 product line. Other new features include increased power on both the 24 and 48 V models, improved noise performance, an extended battery thermal management option and extended safety approvals.

"Customers are searching for products that will adapt to the outside plant and also to the broadband networks," said the Lucent spokesman. "Reliability in power is the big issue.

Lucent is also keying in on the convergence trend with its Easy Distributed Power Architecture (EDPA). The plan allows the user to create a customized distributed power system using off-the-shelf Lucent products, added to the spokesman.

Yuasa Inc. is offering more cabinetized-type systems featuring a front terminating battery for outside plant, wireline and PCS with a very small footprint, said Dave Lesser, director of marketing for integrated systems and services. The H130R 3200/9600CO modular, rack-mounted Horizon Remote Power System is designed for digital subscriber loops, fiber-to-the-curb systems and narrowband/broadband applications at central offices, OSP sites and controlled environment vault (CEV) sites. It can be configured to accept up to three systems in parallel and features full front access and hot-swappable components.

Yuasa is also featuring the new DXC wrapped calcium flat-plate battery, which is designed for UPS and switchgear applications. It has a U-wrap separator that encircles the bottom of the positive plate, leaving the sides exposed. The wrap lengthens the lifecycle of the battery by preventing sediment from building up on the bottom of the jar. The battery is available in 32 sizes and ratings.

The number of new carriers in the marketplace is creating a need for DC power expertise, Lesser said. More carriers are looking for companies to provide the entire package. Yuasa has recognized that need and has reorganized its integrated systems and services group to offer engineering, equipment and installation services. Yuasa will highlight this new approach at Supercomm, he said.

The power generation Whether it's batteries, generators or power systems, vendors will focus on solutions that are more automated, cost-effective and easier to install. Hawker Energy is expanding its Hawker XT series of valve-regulated, lead-acid (VRLA) batteries to include the XT 35. The XT 35 is a replacement for distributed power cabinets and offers 35 Ah in a 25 Ah shelf. It is designed for 12 years of float life at 25 C and can be repeatedly deep cycled.

Power Conversion Products is focusing on modularity with its new line of modular, plug-in VRLA batteries. The new line allows the user to add batteries as the load increases, reducing the initial cost of the site. Temperature- and voltage-sensing leads built into the system reduce installation time.

The company also is introducing two types of VRLA battery monitors, the B-4 and B-20. The B-4 monitors the voltage of 12 VDC battery blocks, triggering major and minor alarms if voltages exceed certain high and low limits. The B-20 can monitor up to five strings of 48 VDC batteries. It also monitors voltage, temperature, charge and discharge current.

PCP's new Battery Jacket is attached to the outer walls of a 12 VDC VRLA battery and keeps the battery at a constant temperature in outdoor environments. The Battery Jacket absorbs excess heat during the day to maintain a 25 to 30 C internal battery temperature. At night, the Battery Jacket releases this heat and returns to its original state. Results of field tests of the Battery Jacket will be available at Supercomm, said Chris F. Seyer, president of PCP.

PCP is also focusing on remote monitoring over the Internet. The company will demonstrate the TCP/IP gateway remote monitor/controller. The product can monitor and control DC power plants remotely via the Internet or a customer's private intranet. The product features multiple password protection levels and relies on standard browsers such as Internet Explorer and Netscape Navigator. "We believe that if DC power plants can be monitored over the Internet using a standard browser and no special software, that will set the trend for the foreseeable future," Seyer said.

Generac Power Systems will introduce a new line of stationary power systems featuring 6 kW DC or 8 kW AC output, three-phase or single-phase alternators, an internal rectifier with DC output and 16 hour maximum run time.

Astec Advanced Power Systems is introducing two new products, the Helios Rectifier 200E and the Helios PowerNode 2600W/130C. The rectifier provides 200 A at -48 VDC for powering CO equipment in three-phase, 480 VAC locations. The power node is intended for fiber-to-the-curb deployments and is housed in an outdoor GR-487 compliant cabinet designed for pad- or pole-mount deployment. It has a service compartment for AC, OSP loop connections, an auxiliary generator connection and a vented battery compartment.

An increasing focus in the power arena is on generators, said Larry Bernauer, product line manager at Kohler Power Systems. The industry can no longer rely on batteries as the sole source of backup power, and generators provide a smaller, less expensive and environmentally friendly alternative to traditional batteries, he said.

The company is introducing two gas standby generators, the 8.5RMY and 11RMY. Rated at 8.5 and 11 kW respectively, the generators are fully automatic generator systems powered by air-cooled, four-cycle engines. The 8.5RMY has a 20 hp, twin cylinder engine, while the 11RMY has a 25 hp engine. Both systems operate on liquid propane gas or natural gas.

Kohler is also introducing the COM-6 generator set for use in broadband cabinets, cable nodes, wireless sites, SLC huts and CEVs. It features a permanent magnet generator and offers 100 hours of backup power.

Solutions for all sizes Reltec Corp. is introducing several new products. The Vortex 10,000 power system is designed for large switch sites and central offices. The system is available in 208/240, 480 and 380/415 VAC inputs, and it can be configured with 400 A to 10,000 A.

The V40CAB is the newest unit in Reltec's Vortex Mini Series. Designed for digital loop carriers, fiber to the curb, remote terminals, cabinets and controlled environment vaults, the 3U shelf contains five 8 A power conversion units, meter control alarm module low-voltage disconnect and integrated distribution.

Reltec's Vortex Breaker Distribution Fuse Bay will feature several new enhancements, including NEBS compliance and distribution options that accept standard, bolt-in circuit breakers. The bolt-in circuit breakers panels accept up to 100 A loads.

Finally, Reltec will feature the Vortex Win Link Version 2.0. Win Link provides remote access and control to the Vortex power systems.

Panamax will highlight the Max LAN Gigabit AllPath protection module. The module is designed to protect high-speed data applications from power surges and spikes, including lightning, at speeds up to 25 Mb/s. It can be used with the Max 6 AllPath or any other AllPath base unit. When combined with a base unit, it provides protection for Category 5 and 6 data lines leading to the equipment.

Hybricon will introduce its CompactPCI desktop enclosure. The three-slot enclosure uses a 120 W power supply to provide 5 V, 12 V and 3.3 V power to the backplane. Cooling is provided by dual tube axial fans and air deflecting CoolSlot card guides in the card cage.

C-Can Power Systems will introduce the Power Management Module. The unit features a battery test mode where performance data can be logged without risk of load loss. It also offers local and remote monitoring of individual rectifiers as well as complete plant monitoring.