Dear all, could you please share with me your experience on usage of UPS in your labs. Do you use one UPS for all instruments or several UPS for each instument? What UPS you use for ICP-OES?

What UPS stands for?

John,

Uninterrptable Power Supply

We have a small UPS on the data and control computer (but not the monitor) of our ICP, not on the ICP itself. The kwh draw of the ICP is too large for a normal UPS to handle. Our ICP draws 20 amps at 230 volts, so the UPS would have to be size of a small refrigerator to handle that type of load. It did not seem economical to buy that type of UPS for our needs, but your situation may be different.

I have the UPS on the computer to prevent it from crashing if the power momentarily blinks off. If the main power to the lab fails, then we are done with testing until it comes back on.

We only use a UPS for our database server. Otherwise as refrig guy states, you would need one heck of a UPS system ($$$) to keep your spectrometer/ICP, particle counter, FTIR, Hotplate etc + all their associated PC's and screens going.

Due to poor govt planning and huge growth here in S Africa we have been experiencing hectic load shedding.

We deal with this by:

1. UPS for database server
2. Small petrol generator for everything else.

Downtime is minimal. Simply run a quality power lead through your lab for power and be sure not to plug it into a wall socket