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World-Class Cannabis Security Systems

Thu, 06 Jul 2023 14:36:39 GMT

Understanding how CCTV Devices benefit from a UPS

Thu, 10 Nov 2022 14:56:00 GMT

The post Understanding how CCTV Devices benefit from a UPS appeared first on Minuteman UPS .

Backup Power Protection for your Emergency Communications Plan

Wed, 14 Sep 2022 12:15:00 GMT

Your Emergency Communications Plan can fall short if it doesn’t include POWER

– How can we be 100% sure mass notifications will go out?
– What government regulations exist for emergency communications backup?
– Should a specific type of UPS be used? How much-extended runtime do we need? Read on to find out .

The importance of Communication

Businesses and campuses must be able to communicate with everyone in a facility, and the larger the campus, the more urgent the need for a comprehensive emergency communications plan.

All educational institutions must be able to communicate with students and faculty. Retail stores must communicate with employees and customers. Businesses must communicate with their employees. Without emergency communications and mass notification systems, people are further endangered and liability issues are magnified.

Ensuring Power Availability

All components within an emergency communications system depend on the availability of electricity in order to fully function. During any type of disaster, or even in a temporary power outage, it is absolutely essential that communications are not interrupted.

Uninterruptible Power Supplies

This can be accomplished with the installation of an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) , which provides protection from all power problems such as surges and spikes, but also provides battery backup power during a power outage. Back-up power is a critical component of any emergency communications system. Learn more about UPSs in our Newbie’s Nook Series >>

Government Regulations

Actual use time could range anywhere from 30-60 minutes, but typically only a partial load is required when an announcement is being made. The code requirements should be evaluated by a system designer to determine if a larger capacity or longer battery backup time should be provided or is required by the state, local, or federal regulations.

Learn more about power protection for
Security Applications

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In-depth: Line Interactive vs Online UPSs

Wed, 14 Sep 2022 01:00:00 GMT

The post In-depth: Line Interactive vs Online UPSs appeared first on Minuteman UPS .

Power Protection in the Home Office

Mon, 08 Aug 2022 10:00:00 GMT

The post Power Protection in the Home Office appeared first on Minuteman UPS .

UPS Sizing tool: SizeMyUPS by Minuteman Power

Mon, 08 Aug 2022 01:30:00 GMT

We understand that there are many different UPS solutions to fulfill your backup and power protection needs. Additionally, each application, project, or single job opportunity is unique. With SizeMyUPS.com , recommendations will be based on your system(s) needs.

This can seem like an overwhelming task, but SizeMyUPS offers easy-to-use categories. Let’s take a look at each one.

Building Your System

First, the equipment database is broken down by device category, choices include Computers, Telecom, Peripherals, Networking, Audio/Visual, and Security. Once you have selected one of those categories, you can then select a specific device(s). By clicking on a specific product category, you have the ability to choose the product manufacturer and model along with the quantity of those specific devices. You will then click the ‘Add It’ button to have those devices factored into the total load in the sizing tool.

You can continue adding different equipment and devices until your entire system is displayed under the “My Equipment List.” For example, you can add security devices, such as cameras, then add a computer to complete the system. The tool will base the UPS recommendation on the total power load of all devices combined to ensure the best UPS fit for the system.

What are your power needs?

Once all of the devices have been selected and added, SizeMyUPS has nine different tools to narrow down the selection, listed under the “My Equipment List.” The first of the tools simply displays the total load of the system in Watts, VA, or Amps. In most cases, including using the integrated equipment database, the default ‘rated’ load box can remain selected.

If the equipment has had an electrical load meter attached to measure the exact power consumption, the ‘measured’ button should be selected for the most accurate UPS selection.

The second and third lines allow you to select a specific type of UPS (standby, line interactive, online) and a specific product line. For example, the second line allows you to only view online UPSs, or to view line interactive and online UPSs, while the third allows you to select product lines such as the Endeavor LCD or the new EXR series.

The fourth and fifth lines deal specifically with voltage needs. While most systems will need either 120 or 208, some bigger systems require larger input and output voltage. The sixth line contains miscellaneous choices, such as rackmount units only or sine wave units only.

Lines seven and eight are designed for particular runtime needs. While some systems will not require a specific runtime minimum or maximum, many systems will need to have the user narrow down UPS selection by the runtime.

Lastly, line nine lets you select a particular UPS that will allow for growth in their system. For instance, if a security system manager needs a UPS and knows that they will eventually be adding more cameras; the tool allows the individual to select a UPS that will account for that expansion in load.

Once all the specifics have been picked out based on your needs, SizeMyUPS will display UPS recommendations. The recommended UPSs can be arranged by Model, Runtime, Product Line, UPS Type, and MSRP.

Take the Guesswork out of UPS Selection

With our simple-to-use sizing tool at your fingertips, Minuteman has made it easier than ever to find the right UPS for your specific system, eliminating the excess cost and any confusion.

Get started sizing your UPS with SizeMyUPS now >>

The post UPS Sizing tool: SizeMyUPS by Minuteman Power appeared first on Minuteman UPS .

The Important Roll of an Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS)

Tue, 12 Jul 2022 17:23:00 GMT

Many customers still have questions about “why” the need for a UPS. This post will help you understand the importance of a UPS, some basic functions of a UPS, and a simple approach to choosing the right UPS.

The UPS has two primary goals:

The reality is that an unexpected power event, or disruption, to mission-critical networks and other connected devices can lead to severe damages, total data loss, and extended downtime, which can potentially cost businesses thousands of dollars in sales and hours of lost productivity.

Basic Functionality of a UPS
A UPS uses stored energy (internal batteries) to generate and maintain power to the connected load when there is a disruption to the main utility power supply.

The battery runtime (or autonomy) of most UPS solutions is relatively short. The UPS battery backup function is designed to provide enough time for the connected devices to safely shut down or for an alternative power source, such as an onsite backup generator, to take over.

Depending on your backup power needs, a UPS can offer three different levels of power protection.

Most UPS solutions can correct a wide range of common power problems, such as:

To learn more about the basics of a UPS, please watch our video Three Types of UPS Technologies

How to Choose a UPS
Unless you are an expert in backup power solutions, choosing the right UPS can seem like a daunting task. However, understanding some of the basic information you need to choose the right UPS solution can make the process a little easier.

Item list to assist in choosing the right UPS solution:

If you need help choosing the right UPS solution, please make sure to reach out to our friendly UPS experts via Contact Us or email at sales@minutemanups.com

The post The Important Roll of an Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) appeared first on Minuteman UPS .

Turing Vision - Effortless Remote Maintenance

183:853387709 (Paul Kinnaman) — Fri, 17 Jun 2022 01:22:01 GMT

Effortless Remote Maintenance

Do you need to update your security cameras and systems at your business or home? The Turing Vision platform is AI powered and Analytics driven, so it automates many of the formerly tedious tasks into simple processes that can be monitored and controlled from the comfort of your home office via your laptop or phone.

Take a look at the video demo below to see how Turing is revolutionizing the industry with their user friendly modern web-based approach to systems maintenance and site monitoring. Turing vision takes the labor out of the equation and allows you to easily flag and isolate footage when and where you need to with simple export options that follow.

Summer Forecast: Increased Risk of Power Outages due to Extreme Heat

Wed, 08 Jun 2022 19:31:00 GMT

Grid monitor warns of U.S. blackouts in ‘sobering report’

Credited Author(s): Peter Behr, Jason Plautz

The central and upper Midwest, Texas, and Southern California face an increased risk of power outages this summer from extreme heat, wildfires and extended drought, the nation’s grid monitor warned yesterday.

In a dire new assessment, the North American Electric Reliability Corp. (NERC) described regions of the country pushed closer than ever toward energy emergencies by a combination of climate change impacts and a transition from traditional fossil fuel generators to carbon-free renewable power.

“’Extreme’ doesn’t mean ‘rare,’” John Moura, director of reliability assessment and performance analysis at NERC, said during a media briefing. “We know these conditions are not rare,” he said of the growing siege of drought, flooding, and severe storms.

HOW TO PREPARE YOUR HOME OR ORGANIZATION FROM POTENTIAL BLACKOUTS

Do you need help finding the right backup power solution? Our sales team is ready to help you answer any questions you may have to meet your backup power needs.

The post Summer Forecast: Increased Risk of Power Outages due to Extreme Heat appeared first on Minuteman UPS .

In-Depth: Uninterruptible Power Supplies

Thu, 19 May 2022 11:00:00 GMT

Which UPS system is right for you?

All Minuteman UPSs provide full protection from power problems such as blackouts, brownouts, sags, surges, and spikes. There are three different types of uninterruptible power supplies that vary in terms of how protection is delivered to the attached equipment. The three types are standby, line interactive, and online.

Please keep reading to find the perfect Minuteman solution for your power protection needs.

These three different technologies accomplish the same result – complete power protection. Which technology to use is usually driven by budget and type of equipment to be protected.

Standby – Battery or Utility Power

A standby UPS is the most basic, lowest-priced type of battery backup protection available. During any type of power fluctuation, a standby UPS switches to battery mode to provide clean power to attached devices. Standby UPSs do provide total protection from any type of power problem and are a good choice where there are budget constraints.

With models ranging from 350VA to 900VA, Minuteman’s Enspire Series provides a low-cost, high-performance solution for protecting small-load computers, network equipment, and security devices from damaging power problems.

Line Interactive – Battery, AVR, Utility Power

Line interactive UPSs also provide complete protection but manage incoming power differently than a standby UPS. The most common power problems are small variations in incoming AC voltage, such as brownouts or sags, as well as over-voltages, such as surges and spikes. This type of UPS employs an automatic voltage regulator that corrects these anomalies without accessing battery power, thus putting less strain on the battery and extending its life.

Minuteman’s line interactive UPS units include three different product lines, the Entrust LCD, the PRO-RT, and the EXR Series. The Entrust LCD Series is available in 550 to 1500VA and the PRO-RT comes in 750VA to 2000 VA, making them a good fit for network devices, security and telephone systems. The EXR Series is one of our most versatile units with true sine wave output, and with models ranging from 750VA up to 3kVA, these rack/tower units are suitable for a wide range of applications.

Online – Double Conversion

A true online UPS completely re-generates the incoming AC power to provide the best type of power protection available. This is accomplished by an internal inverter converting incoming power from AC to DC, and at the output, the DC signal is then converted back to AC. Through this double conversion process, the UPS creates an “electrical firewall” to fully isolate attached equipment from any type of power problem.

Minuteman’s online Endeavor units come in a variety of configurations and models ranging from 1kVA to 3kVA , and 5kVA to 20kVA , all with extended runtime capabilities for large applications, including server and network devices, industrial equipment, and more.

To find the product that suits your power needs, please visit minutemanups.com .

The post In-Depth: Uninterruptible Power Supplies appeared first on Minuteman UPS .

Expanding Your Connection – Power Distribution Units

Tue, 10 May 2022 13:11:00 GMT

With organizations continuing to grow, so will the technology requirements. Increasing power demands will call for more electrical outlets. To meet the growing demand of technology, business organizations will add IDFs (Intermediate Distribution Frame) and expand MDFs (Main Distribution Frame) which means multiple devices that will require multiple outlets. Enter Power Distribution Units, or PDUs.

What is a PDU?

A PDU distributes reliable network power to multiple devices. It does not generate or condition power but delivers AC power from an uninterruptible power supply (UPS), a generator, or utility power source to servers, networking hardware, telecom equipment, and other devices.

Why use a PDU?

In its basic form, a PDU does the same job as a power strip. It uses current from a single source, usually a wall outlet, to power multiple devices, such as computers, peripherals, and networking devices. However, PDUs are designed for installation in equipment racks, maintaining power within reach of rack mounted devices such as servers, switches, routers, or cooling fans.

PDUs are commonly used in data centers, network closets, VoIP phone systems, and industrial environments.

How to pick the right PDU

To find the right model for your needs, ask yourself the following six questions.

PDU Installation

PDU models are typically offered in 1U or 2U heights for horizontal mounting. They can also be mounted vertically, known as 0U. Depending on the model, they can be mounted in a rack enclosure, on a wall, or under a shelf.

Horizontal PDUs are designed for mounting in a standard 19-inch equipment racks. They can be placed above, below, or between the components they power.

Vertical PDUs look like tall power strips. They fit on the upright rails of a rack enclosure and do not take horizontal mounting space away from other equipment.

Input Power

Choosing the right PDU will depend on the device(s) input plug. Single-phase power alternates between positive and negative voltage; in the United States, the rate is 60 cycles per second. That means the wave has zero voltage every time it moves from positive to negative and back. Most household and office power are single-phase and work with the following receptacle (outlet) types:

How many outlets do devices need?

The PDU chosen should have at least as many outlets as the number of plugs that are needed to connect. If a device has more than one plug, or if one device must be plugged into another, adjust your count. Remember to leave room for more devices that may be added in the future.

Other features

A basic PDU shares a single power source with multiple devices. It simplifies the management of rack equipment and makes a valuable addition to any IT installation. Advanced models do much more, such as protecting against downtime and allowing remote control through software.

Basic PDU distributes unfiltered AC power from a UPS system, generator, or utility source to multiple connected devices.

Switched PDU distributes network-grade power and allows users to control outlets individually or collectively. A digital meter provides information on load and voltage and supports local control; an SNMP connection enables remote monitoring and control.

Ready to choose a PDU?

Minuteman Power offers an easy-to-use PDU selector – sizemyPDU . If you have more questions, or need assistance, contact our power experts .

The post Expanding Your Connection – Power Distribution Units appeared first on Minuteman UPS .

Discover Your Perfect Console with the New UniFi OS Resource Calculator

Thu, 07 Apr 2022 14:00:00 GMT

Your UniFi deployment is only as good as the planning behind it. There are two important questions to consider as you build your dream system and determine how to optimize its performance. The first is whether or not your equipment can be seamlessly integrated into your space.

We have you covered there with our Design Center , the interactive visualization tool that allows you to map out a custom network uniquely suited for your location. Check out our brief video overview to learn more.

The UniFi product suite is vast, cohesive, and designed to be highly scalable so you can build and support networks of any size. That means you have myriad options when it comes to choosing your ideal devices, applications, and functionality, so we strongly recommend taking your time during the planning process. Once you’ve finalized your deployment, then comes the all-important follow-up question:

Do I have what I need to run all of this?

With that in mind, we’re very excited to introduce the UniFi OS Console Resource Calculator : a brand-new modal that not only provides console-specific processing and memory caps with a single click, but gives dynamic approximations of how well each console can support various deployment types.

Granularity is the name of the game with our new calculator. Our top priority is ensuring that every user can fully capture each component of their system so they know exactly what console is right for them. After selecting a console and the applications it will run, you have a wealth of customization options to help you specify how many devices you’re connecting, how they will function, and whether or not they will have advanced configurations.

As you make your adjustments, you’ll see how each console’s CPU and memory are impacted, helping you determine whether you’ve chosen the right model or you require one with higher specs. Take a look at the calculator in action in our April edition of Ubiquiti Insider:

Simplifying IT isn’t just about making networking technology more accessible and intuitive; it’s about giving users a deeper understanding of how their system works and what’s needed to support it. We’re very proud of this new innovation because it’s directly tied to our greatest pursuit: delivering the best system performance and user experience possible.

We really can’t wait for you to try the resource calculator, so take it for a spin here and let us know what you think on the Ubiquiti Community forum. Also, be sure to check back soon for more news on the ever-expanding world of UniFi!

April Showers Bring May Power Problems?

Mon, 04 Apr 2022 01:30:00 GMT

The post April Showers Bring May Power Problems? appeared first on Minuteman UPS .

Ticket Submission Moves to UniFi OS to Streamline Support

Tue, 01 Mar 2022 07:36:00 GMT

You’ve likely already noticed the biggest change to ticket submission: where it’s done. Now, support tickets can be created directly within your UniFi OS Portal and applications, instead of just help.ui.com . System issues are frustrating, especially when they’re unexpected, so we’ve made it a top priority to reduce the time it takes to get the help you need—and that starts with no longer asking you to go outside of the platform for assistance.

We also evaluated our ticket resolution practices to identify stages where user-agent correspondence was too staggered and gradual, and that brought us to support files. Previously, these would be requested retroactively if an agent required more system details, but we determined that the diagnostic process would be much quicker if our agents had as much information as possible at the outset of every support interaction.

In an upcoming UniFi OS release, we will introduce automated support file attachment to ensure that each new ticket gives us the full picture without excessive back-and-forth between a user and agent. This also allows our developers to quickly identify core instigating issues and expedite needed system and application improvements.

These ongoing refinements to ticket submission will create a more convenient support experience for you while also allowing our agents and developers to resolve troubleshooting scenarios in the fastest, most comprehensive way possible.

If you’ve already submitted a support ticket through our new UniFi OS-based engine and would like to share your experience, we’d love to hear from you on the Ubiquiti Community forum . Also, be sure to check this feed periodically for more updates on new UniFi products, services, and advancements.

UniFi Network 7.0 Introduces Revamped Settings to Simplify System Configuration

Tue, 01 Mar 2022 07:35:00 GMT

Comprehensive network customization has always been a touchstone of the UniFi Network application, and a guiding principle for our developers who work tirelessly to refine it. However, providing such an immense degree of user control can sometimes complicate our larger pursuit to simplify IT for every type of user. We want our settings to provide a wealth of options while also being easy to navigate and understand. Otherwise, network optimization is only possible for the most technically adept.

This release marks a huge advancement of UniFi by making network management deeper and more accessible—but our work continues. To follow us on our journey, make sure to check this feed periodically for new content related to product announcements, innovations, tutorials, and more.

Understanding the Links in the Supply Chain

Wed, 09 Feb 2022 16:43:00 GMT

The post Understanding the Links in the Supply Chain appeared first on Minuteman UPS .

Quick Reference Backup Power Guide: IP & HD Over Coax/Analog

Wed, 13 Oct 2021 15:30:00 GMT

The post Quick Reference Backup Power Guide: IP & HD Over Coax/Analog appeared first on Minuteman UPS .

WiFiman Introduces Enhanced Signal Tracking Features

Thu, 19 Aug 2021 17:20:00 GMT

Last week, WiFiman received two powerful updates, including visual enhancements to its recently added Signal Mapper and expanded network analytics unmatched by any other wireless scanner.

With an Android mobile device updated to Version 9.0 or higher, you can now use the Signal Mapper to generate a dynamic visualization of your WiFi signal’s strength as you move throughout your home, office, or facility. This tool will allow you to pinpoint areas where service fluctuations occur and help you determine the best way to reposition your access points to improve your signal in certain areas.

If you’d prefer to broaden your wireless network with additional equipment, we recommend adding an AP with a stronger antenna or some extenders to your current setup. If you have a Dream Machine or Dream Machine Pro, the Signal Mapper can also build maps based on the traffic flow between your phone and console.

WiFiman already offers a robust slate of network analytics, including detailed client connection and WiFi standard information, but i n this latest version, you’ll be able to drill down even further! Now, you can instantly access key network insights, such as max device speed, MIMO information, channel utilization, and more!

If you’ve already taken the new Signal Mapper for a spin or you’re discovering it for the first time, we’d love to hear from you in the UI Community . As always, stay tuned for more exciting WiFiman and UniFi updates!

The WiFiman Mobile App Introduces Its New Signal Mapper

Mon, 28 Jun 2021 19:39:00 GMT

Earlier this month, we added yet another dynamic utility to WiFiman’s belt—one that will make it easier than ever to track your wireless network’s performance. The Signal Mapper , our newest WiFi diagnostic tool, can now be used on both WiFiman mobile apps ( iOS / Android ). With it, you can see how your wireless signal’s stability and throughput change as you move throughout your home or office.

The Signal Mapper is perfect for those looking to pinpoint exactly where their WiFi coverage fluctuates, flattens, or falls off completely so they can boost their signal to those areas with one of our many mesh access points .

If you’d like to try the Signal Mapper on an iOS device, make sure the device is connected to a Dream Machine or Dream Machine Pro running a UniFi Network application with an enabled WiFiman setting.

As always, we’d love to hear what you think about our improvements to the WiFiman mobile app and other UniFi OS applications. Head to the UI Community forum to share your experience with the Signal Mapper and hear from other users. Also, make sure to check our blog feed often for more on the ever-changing world of UniFi.

Which UniFi Protect Camera is Right for Me?

Mon, 12 Apr 2021 22:20:00 GMT

There are many factors to consider when deciding which UniFi Protect cameras will optimize your camera security. To ensure that our selection meets your distinct needs, we offer seven uniquely designed camera types.

Each is engineered to provide high-quality surveillance that satisfies your feature preferences and suits your space. For instance, the G3 Instant camera is wireless and utilizes dual-band WiFi to simplify management and indoor deployment while wired models, like the G4 Dome and G4 PTZ , offer higher resolution and protection from outdoor duress.

To help you choose your ideal cameras, we’ll showcase several best-in-class options across different value categories then dive into a deeper, spec-based comparison.

Looking for the best video and view?

To monitor what matters most, you’ll need keen eyes. All Protect cameras are capable of capturing granular details at a high resolution. They also allow you to max out your frame rate while retaining low latency since they’re not Cloud-connected. You’ll always see clearly with a Protect camera, but it’s still important to assess your surveillance area to determine if you need a wider field of view or enhanced zoom capability.

The G4 Pro , for example, captures 4K video with a panoramic wide-angle lens, but if you’d rather have a camera with an impressive zoom lens that can quickly focus on specific aspects of a crowded frame, a camera like the G4 PTZ will exponentially increase your surveillance range with its 22x optical zoom lens.

See something, say something with two-way audio

Smooth, high-definition video is obviously a must, but there may be instances where you need to enrich your feed with crisp, distortion-free audio. All Protect cameras are equipped with a built-in microphone that will liven and contextualize your streams and recordings.

Some models even deliver two-way audio, giving you a way to speak with visitors remotely. This enhanced audio transfer can help you navigate the little moments where communication is key. The G4 Doorbell , for instance, allows you to speak with people at your door, like neighbors or delivery people, while the G4 Dome offers the same functionality but in a camera that can be deployed in multiple places around your office or home.

Experience around-the-clock security and full peace of mind

You can judge any surveillance camera by how it performs at night. That’s why every Protect camera is equipped with infrared (IR) LED lights to capture even the faintest details in pitch-black darkness while maintaining true color fidelity with automated IR filtration. If you need to keep an eye on a particularly expansive area, you can enhance your IR range up to 25 meters (82 ft) with the G4 Bullet and its IR extender accessory.

Alternatively, you could expand your Protect system with several G4 cameras since every model in the line has Smart Detection capability, which allows it to detect passerby and vehicular movement up to eight meters (25 ft) away.

Enhance your camera security with the AI 360—the future of Protect surveillance

Soon, the UniFi Protect camera line will expand into the realm of AI-supported surveillance with the forthcoming AI 360 . Merging the form factor and overhead omniscience of the G4 Dome with the pan-tilt-zoom capability of the G4 PTZ, the AI 360 will instantly rank among our most feature-rich cameras.

The AI 360 sports a fish-eye lens, captures 1080p HD video at a silky 30 frames per second, transfers echoless audio, and even comes with two interchangeable lens bubbles for added durability. It will also be equipped with a stronger processor that will greatly enhance its motion detection accuracy.

Enjoy easy UniFi Protect integration and a central security dashboard

No matter your needs, there’s a UniFi Protect camera that can meet them. Plus, you’ll never have to sacrifice simplicity for a deep feature set. Each of our cameras can be adopted in minutes and managed fully with the UniFi Protect application (web/ iOS / Android ).

With UniFi Protect, you can instantly view live camera streams, intuitively navigate multiple feeds, and quickly drill down into hours-long recordings to pinpoint specific moments of interest from a central dashboard. All of your footage is also stored locally, ensuring that you’ll always have the highest-quality playback and full control of how your surveillance video is accessed. It’s our way of streamlining your camera system management so you can focus on exploring the benefits of each model.

If you’d like to see all of our Protect cameras firsthand, check out our new video above or our comparison table below for a deeper spec breakdown. As always, make sure to like and subscribe if you catch our content on YouTube and stay tuned to this blog feed for even more UniFi content!

Choose the right camera for you

UPS Warranty: Navigating the Maze

Wed, 07 Apr 2021 04:00:00 GMT

The post UPS Warranty: Navigating the Maze appeared first on Minuteman UPS .

Which UniFi Switch is Right for Me?

Tue, 30 Mar 2021 18:13:00 GMT

UniFi switches help you power, connect, and process traffic across all of your devices. Since each deployment’s size and layout are unique, we offer several distinct switch categories meticulously designed to optimize any network in any environment. We’d like to explore these categories further to help you identify the model(s) that will deliver the most value for you.

Flex and Lite switches are designed to be more stylish than traditional switches so you can easily place them anywhere without disrupting your décor. These switches offer a wide range of bandwidth, uplink speed, and Power-over-Ethernet (PoE) capability. Plus, they look great mounted to a wall or sitting on your desk!

Our marquee UniFi Switch models bring more uplink and power versatility to high-speed, device-dense networks. The UniFi Switch Pro line is even more powerful with enhanced fiber connectivity, routing, and PoE options.

UniFi Switch Enterprise models, coming later this year, are ideal solutions for demanding deployments. These switches are designed to direct a staggering amount of data and fully harness the power of UniFi 6 products.

To help you protect your enterprise deployment, we’ve created the UniFi Switch Mission Critical , which also be available later this year. The Mission Critical is a PoE switch with an uninterruptible power supply that will keep your pivotal devices (and UniFi Access products ) running through outages and internal failures with its powerful internal battery and external backup battery connectors.

Detailed network insights anywhere, anytime

We know keeping track of ports and devices can be a headache, so we’ve engineered all of our switches to allow individual port naming, locking, and configuration—all from your UniFi Network application. Using UniFi Network, you’ll get real-time insights that will help you optimize your deployment.

Key network details are also visible on the sleek touchscreens built into our UniFi PoE Switch, Switch Pro, and Switch Enterprise models. You can even use your phone to view an augmented reality overlay that labels each port with its connected device!

See our switches in action

Your deployment is only as powerful as the switches powering it, so choosing the right UniFi Switch is critical for enhancing your network’s performance. To learn more, check out our new video above or the comparison table below for a deeper feature breakdown. Also, be sure to like and subscribe when you catch us on YouTube and check our blog regularly for brand-new UniFi content!

Choose the right switch for you

The Storm is Over but Power Protection Never Stops

Wed, 10 Mar 2021 18:01:00 GMT

The post The Storm is Over but Power Protection Never Stops appeared first on Minuteman UPS .

How Will You Connect? A Guide for Choosing the Right UniFi Access Point

Fri, 19 Feb 2021 16:43:00 GMT

Our selection of UniFi access points vary by functionality and design. Each model is thoughtfully engineered to meet precise user needs and optimize performance within specific environments. Together, they offer an ideal solution for everyone — whether you prioritize performance, design, aesthetics, or network simplicity.

Because each access point is so unique, it’s important to choose a model that best suits your needs.

A Best-in-Class Wireless Experience

Our line of UniFi 6 access points, beginning with the recently introduced U6 Lite and U6 Long-Range , mark our introduction of WiFi 6 technology to UniFi. With these and future U6 models, your network can support over 300 concurrent devices and deliver a reliably smooth wireless experience to each of them with OFDMA technology, which transfers high volumes of data more tactically across multiple devices to improve upload and download speeds.

While the U6 access points represent the future, tried-and-true models like the UniFi HD and nanoHD remain favorites for a wide variety of users, not just because of their speed and range but also their ability to provide a consistently strong signal to a large number of devices, which is crucial in our digital world.

These access points expand signal coverage with an integrated, directional antenna while only consuming a small amount of power. When mounted to the ceiling, these UniFi access points widen their coverage zones even further to ensure fast, stable connections across high-traffic environments.

You can also give your access points a bit of flair and align them with your space’s look and feel. For instance, you can change the color of your U6 access point’s LED ring or change the exterior of certain models with a variety of skins including wood, black fabric, and camouflage.

Extend Your WiFi and Connect More People

If you’re looking to extend your WiFi signal easily and without cumbersome equipment, a mesh access point could be the right device for you. Although all of our access points can link with the other access points in your office or home to enhance your signal’s reach and prevent dead zones, our mesh access points are specifically designed to do so. As such, mesh access points are often a go-to solution for hotels, museums, and other high-traffic areas.

Many mesh access points are also very compact and easily deployable. They can be mounted to a wall or ceiling, placed on a tabletop, or attached to a pole outdoors to improve connection quality throughout your property.

WiFi extenders are also designed to improve the reach of your wireless signal by doubling your coverage area. These models are the definition of plug-and-play; just plug them into a standard US wall outlet and instantly improve your WiFi experience! However you choose to extend your network, you’ll have a device that can support hundreds of concurrent connections with minimal power consumption.

Wireless Excellence for Thousands

What if you need to provide high-speed internet access to a lot of people—like, a LOT of people. Maybe it’s a concert hall packed with people livestreaming the headline act, or a stadium filled with thousands using their mobile devices simultaneously at halftime?

To give the people what they want, you’ll need a really powerful, high-capacity access point. As always, UniFi is ready for you with the WiFi BaseStation XG , one of the world’s best large-venue WiFi installations because of its ability to support up to 1,500 concurrent device connections. The BaseStation can dynamically filter and evenly distribute traffic to avoid channel congestion, as well as maximize coverage with its directional beamforming antenna.

Maybe you’re not just dealing with one location, though. What if you need to bridge the networks of two buildings in a downtown commercial district or industrial park? To help with these types of large networking projects, we offer point-to-point bridges that create multi-gigabit wireless links between two locations up to 500 meters apart. These bridging devices are designed to be highly adaptive to the layout of the area you’re looking to connect, sporting directional antennas that ensure strong, unobstructed links regardless of area zoning or building positioning.

Robust and Versatile Wireless Delivery

No matter how large or unique your network is, there’s a UniFi access point that can enhance your wireless experience, support your devices, and simplify your traffic management.

To see the different UniFi access points in action, check out Which AP is Right for Me? , and for more detailed model information, head to the Ubiquiti Store . Also, remember to keep it tuned here and on our revamped YouTube channel for brand-new UniFi content, including how-to videos, unboxings, and more to help you build your network!

The World of UniFi

Thu, 18 Feb 2021 23:36:00 GMT

The World of UniFi works in tandem to fulfill the essential needs of modern businesses and homes, whether it’s by enhancing security, streamlining communication, or improving network reliability.

UniFi’s product suite is designed to be intuitive, modular, and scalable so you can easily create networks as robust and large as you need. Regardless of your deployment’s size, you’ll always have complete control with a simplified, thoughtful interface that removes the familiar headaches of other network management solutions.

Design, Deploy, and Centrally Manage

The UniFi experience begins the only way it can—with you. Starting with the UniFi Design Center , you can upload your floor plan, choose which products suit your space, and decide where to place them.

Once your UniFi network is installed, all of your controllers are hosted on a central operating system, UniFi OS , housed within our all-in-one super gateway, the Dream Machine Pro , which can be managed from anywhere.

Specialized Applications That Meet Your Unique Needs

UniFi isn’t just meant to connect equipment; it also connects people.

Next-gen IT That Empowers You

UniFi is more than a product line; it’s an embodiment of our promise to deliver cutting-edge and user-friendly technology that enriches your life, passions, and profession. We’re constantly refining the UniFi line so it evolves with your IT aspirations and needs, Through all of its iterations, the guiding principle behind UniFi remains the same: to deliver professional-grade IT that empowers your network and ushers you into the future.

To see the entire UniFi ecosystem in action, check out Getting Started with UniFi at the top and come back soon for more brand-new blog and video content. We also hope that you’ll continue sharing your own UniFi experiences on our community forum .

Mission Critical Applications Demand the Best Power Quality

Tue, 02 Feb 2021 09:00:00 GMT

The post Mission Critical Applications Demand the Best Power Quality appeared first on Minuteman UPS .

Introducing WiFiman.com – Ubiquiti’s New Wireless Speed Testing Site

Wed, 20 Jan 2021 21:33:00 GMT

Here’s something you don’t see very often: a superhero reboot that improves on the original.

We hope we’ve done just that with a full r edesign of our old speed testing page; now, the new Wifiman.com ! This overhaul is intended not only to align the site with our WiFiman mobile app ( iOS / Android ) both visually and functionally, but also to make it easier for you to collect, compare, and share your downstream and upstream information.

As soon as you arrive at the WiFiman site, your speed test commences and concludes in a matter of seconds. Dynamic graphs also give you real-time visualization of the stability of your download and upload rates during the course of the test.

Once your speed test is finished, you’ll see your connection’s last-measured download and upload rates, as well as the Ping speed, which measures how quickly your connected devices send request signals to the server.

Below your final results, you’ll also see your IP address, internet service provider, and the server used to complete the speed test.

The site redesign also adds a couple tools to WiFiman’s utility belt, one of which has been heavily requested by our mobile app users.

Now, Wifiman.com lets you compare past speed test results. Once your speed test concludes, click the All Results link in the top-right corner of your screen to access the test comparison page. You can also share your most recent results by clicking the icon to the left of the All Results link.

The revamped WiFiman.com lets you track your wireless connection speed and stability with a single click, and save yourself from sluggish surfing, endless buffering, and channel congestion. Head over now to check out our redesign, then hop over to our community forum to share your thoughts on the newest changes!

Architect & Engineer UPS Power Resources

Tue, 08 Dec 2020 12:54:00 GMT

The post Architect & Engineer UPS Power Resources appeared first on Minuteman UPS .

What happens in a connected home if the power goes out?

Wed, 12 Aug 2020 18:51:00 GMT

Home automation is a hot topic, not just among the technologically savvy crowd and remodeling enthusiasts, but also among increasing numbers of mainstream homeowners.

Automation is quickly picking up speed as the must-have consumer technology, and for good reason. From setting the alarm via smartphone to turning on lights automatically and programming the air conditioning, technology brings enhanced convenience, comfort, and safety for consumers where they need it most—at home.

Many homeowners have already taken advantage of this technology, and more are joining the ranks every day. Homeowners who are planning to make the switch to an automated or smart home should ask themselves –how would my home function when power is down?

What happens in a connected home if the power goes out?

Which of your smart devices will still function and is this really a big deal?

CCTV:
Be prepared for most smart security cameras to stop working when the power is down. Where systems using cellular radio will manage to remain operational without power, those using VoIP (Voice-over-Internet-Protocol) need an online connection to run. When the power dies, so do these VoIP systems.

Smart Lighting and Power Outages
Unsurprisingly, without electricity, your smart lights are not so intelligent. They will not do anything at all. The same goes for your smart switches and smart outlets.

Wi-Fi :

Routers plugged into standard power outlets will die when the power goes. Is there any way at all to get around this?

Fortunately, there is! A UPS (uninterruptible power supply) is a battery backup that serves double duty as a surge protector. Whenever the UPS notices a power drop or a power surge, it will protect your device against any blowback with its battery serving to power the device until normal power is restored.

It pays to be aware in advance of which devices might start powering down and which will keep on running like normal. With a wide range of UPS options, Minuteman is versatile enough to fit any application.

Find out more on our website or get a more in-depth look at the PowerBlog.
Also, check out our full product line of UPSs here .

The post What happens in a connected home if the power goes out? appeared first on Minuteman UPS .

TechTip: How to Select the Right UPS for Your System

Wed, 05 Aug 2020 11:30:00 GMT

What questions should you answer when selecting a UPS to get the right one?

Luckily the process can be broken down into 5 simple steps – read on for our guide to help you correctly identify what to look for when choosing a UPS unit for your equipment.

1) The first and most crucial question is: What piece(s) of equipment is being backed up and what is the electrical draw?

We often get requests from customers looking to back up computers, servers; DVRs etc. There are no set rules for how much electrical draw any piece of equipment will have. Depending on how they are set up and what peripheral gear is attached, the electrical draw is a case by case scenario.

The majority of the time, the equipment you are trying to back up will have this listed in either watts, amps, or Volt Amps (VA) on a label located on the back of the device. If not there, a quick Google search for your equipment can return the electrical load in most cases.

Electric outlet on the textured wallpapers. US style.

2) What are your input and output voltage requirements?

This is the voltage that the building that you will be plugging your UPS into will have. There are several different levels of voltage your equipment can utilize, including 120, 208, 220, 230 and 240, with 120 and 208 being the most common. Most equipment in a residential property will use 120 volts, while a commercial building will often have 208 for larger equipment. If the building requires something higher at 220, 230 or 240 that can change the configuration of the UPS greatly.

To correctly size a UPS, deciding how long the attached equipment will be needed in the event of an outage is a crucial step. Example: If you are looking to back up a single item with a 400 watt draw for 10-15 minutes the UPS configuration will be completely different verses that same 400 watts at 4 hours. Think of it in terms of a give and take or “If this___ than that___.”

4) How critical is the application being backed up?

There are multiple levels of UPS topography. Here is a quick tutorial on the differences:

Whatever the application is, the solution should fit into one of these different UPS topographies.

5) Finally, what physical parameters are we dealing with when trying to find a solution that fits?

Do you want the unit to be tower or rackmount? If rackmount, how much space do we have? These are questions to ask when deciding on the physical footprint your UPS will leave.

These are all questions you want to ask yourself when deciding on a UPS as there are many options available to you when trying to find the right solution for your needs. Once you have considered all these variables please consult our sizing tool at www.sizemyups.com to see exactly what products we have to help fill your UPS needs.

Need help sizing a UPS for your equipment? Get in touch with our product specialists with one click!

Start sizing a UPS for your system now with SizeMyUPS!

The post TechTip: How to Select the Right UPS for Your System appeared first on Minuteman UPS .

Announcing Ubiquiti Payment Gateway

Fri, 22 May 2020 14:38:00 GMT

We believe that WISPs serve a crucial role in these difficult times by providing Internet connectivity to all our communities. Our goal with UNMS Cloud and CRM is to empower WISPs with world-class tools and services so that they can focus on connecting the world.

That’s why we are proud to introduce the Ubiquiti Payment Gateway.

Easy and Affordable Payment Processing

We know that fees can add up. That’s why Ubiquiti Payment Gateway is offering an industry-leading processing fee of 1.9%+30c per transaction for the first year.

Better yet, the UPG is simple to use! No need to set up accounts with other payment gateways or use a separate site to manage your subscriptions – simply activate the UPG with a few clicks, go through our quick onboarding process, and you will be using the UPG in no time.

If you are currently using other payment options for your subscriptions, you can easily switch to the UPG from the billing settings. We will continue to support other payment options, if you prefer to keep your existing payment processors.

For now, Ubiquiti Payment Gateway is only available in the United States, but we are working to bring it to other countries. Stay tuned.

Automatic Payments

The UPG isn’t the only thing we’ve been working on. We know that managing monthly payments can be time-consuming. That’s why we have built autopayments into the latest release of CRM. You can activate it in the billing settings:

Autopayments can be set to trigger at invoice creation date or at the due date. No more need to keep track of due dates!

UI Expands Lab With Anechoic Chambers to Deliver Products Faster

Wed, 04 Dec 2019 13:50:00 GMT

Ubiquiti’s Salt Lake City-based engineering team has expanded its regulatory compliance and engineering development laboratory to include state-of-the-art anechoic chambers: the 10/5/3 m Multi-Axis Anechoic Chamber & the 3 m Anechoic Dome-Roofed Chamber.

This laboratory expansion gives us capabilities to speed up product development cycles, ensuring product quality and improving our time to market in a growing number of countries.

10/5/3 m Multi-Axis Anechoic Chamber

The Frankonia SAC-10 Plus Triton chamber (19.21 m x 12.08 m x 8.18 m) is the top-of-the-line model from the manufacturer. It’s the only one of its kind in the world outside the manufacturer’s lab.

The specialized “Triton” form factor allows us to have three different emission and immunity test setups in place at once:

With this setup, our engineers can perform the required electromagnetic interference (EMI) and electromagnetic susceptibility (EMS) procedures with reduced setup changes, saving hours of time with each iterative test. Keeping the same setup in place reduces the time needed to complete the tests and makes them reproducible.

The Device Under Test (DUT) is placed on a non-reflective (styrofoam) table on top of a rotating turntable. Extensive test automation actuates the test equipment, antennas, and turntable while performing the required tests at all angles.

Anechoic chambers offer excellent isolation against interference from the surrounding environment. Carefully designed and positioned absorbers significantly remove radio frequency (RF) reflections. The SAC-10 Plus Triton chamber provides a 9 kHz to 40 GHz measurement frequency range. The metal exterior shielding provides over 100 dB of attenuation from the outside world.

How much is 100 dB attenuation in practice? Consider a case with a tower-top macro LTE base station that has high-gain antennas at a distance of 5 m from the chamber. To get service inside the chamber, the phone needs at least -100 dBm signal level. With a typical equipment setup, the signal level remains below -100 dBm inside the chamber and there is no LTE service.

3 m Dome-Roofed Anechoic Chamber

The other newly constructed chamber, the Frankonia SAC-3 Plus L (9.23 m x 6.53 m x 6.00 m), is a versatile, fully compliant Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) testing room. We use this chamber for emissions and immunity testing in parallel with the larger SAC-10 chamber.

The dome-shaped roof design combined with RF absorbers minimizes reflections and offers excellent measurement performance. The SAC-3 chamber provides over 110 dB isolation from the outside world. Similar to the larger chamber room, the fully automated test routines control the turntable and antenna height, as well as run the test equipment.

Anechoic — No Reflections

Anechoic chambers provide significantly reduced reflections and external interference levels, making measurements repeatable and accurate.

Electromagnetic waves propagate, reflect, and refract differently depending on the frequency and surrounding structures. The following techniques are important for RF and anechoic chamber designs.

While our chambers provide a drastic reduction in RF reflections, they are not intended to be completely anechoic by design (i.e. semi-anechoic).

Performing measurements in an anechoic chamber have certain unique consequences. Multiple-input, multiple-output (MIMO) technology used in Wi-Fi relies on multiple spatial signal paths created by reflections. Performance measurements, for example, throughput, require adding metallic RF-reflecting materials inside the chamber. Even in a perfect interference-free environment, in the absence of reflections and multipath propagation, Wi-Fi throughputs are low.

Control Room Hosts Test Equipment

When a chamber’s door is closed, engineers work in the shielded control room with test equipment next to the chamber and oversee test progress. This eliminates any potential source of emissions from interfering with testing. Cameras inside the chamber help ensure the test setup remains intact with automated DUT position and antenna adjustments.

Accredited Accuracy, Shorter Time to Market

Governments heavily regulate RF, EMC, and safety testing. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC); Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED); European Union directives (CE Mark), regulate RF devices and potential interference to licensed operations respectively for the US, Canada and European Union.

Since all regions and countries have their own regulations, the resulting testing effort for each new product is significant. The Salt Lake City lab’s new accreditation by the National Voluntary Laboratory Accreditation Program (NVLAP) of the National Institute of Standards and Technology ( NIST) means our engineers can perform a broad range of performance and regulatory compliance tests quickly expediting product’s time-to-market.

These are the most common test requirements:

To receive the latest product news, please sign up for our newsletters at ui.com/newsletters .

EdgeRouter 12P and EdgePower EP-54V-72W Expand the EdgeMAX Family

Tue, 12 Nov 2019 12:36:00 GMT

We are pleased to introduce two new products in our EdgeMAX family.

The EdgeRouter 12P is an enhanced version of the EdgeRouter 12, providing 8 Gbps switching performance and 24V PoE on all Ethernet ports.

The EdgePower 54V 72W is a cost-efficient way to power 54V WISP links, like airFiber, with a battery back-up.

EdgeRouter 12P with 24V PoE Powers AirMAX and LTU

EdgeRouter 12 products offer market-leading price and performance. The EdgeRouter 12P goes one step further, removing the need for a separate 24V PoE switch. Adding convenience, saving space and lowering site costs, it powers airMAX and LTU products with 24V PoE.

Ten RJ-45 ports offer Gigabit speed. Two Gigabit SFP uplinks provide flexibility and reliability. Each 24V PoE port provides 17W PoE power, up to the maximum of 120W PoE power from all the ports.

Free-of-charge, UNMS (Ubiquiti Network Management System) manages the ER-12P and other EdgeMAX products. UNMS offers a single, easy-to-use interface for comprehensive network management capabilities.

LiteAC SectorAPs powered by ER-12P PoE and secured with battery backup power

EdgePower EP-54V-72W Provides Smart 54V Power

The EdgePower EP-54V-72W offers a cost-efficient way to operate high-power 54V PoE devices with a battery backup solution. It’s ideal for products like airFiber, which require 40-50W PoE power, depending on the specific model.

The UNMS software manages and monitors the EP-54V-72W, and the SNMP MIB provides additional remote monitoring capabilities.

The 12V interface maintains the battery charge and switches to backup power mode in the absence of AC power. Technicians can replace the battery without interruption to the service.

There are three outputs for 54V: two RJ45 PoE ports and one DC power connector. The two 10/100M Ethernet PoE interfaces enable connecting the unit to a switch and adding an 802.3af PoE device like a surveillance camera. The 54V PoE is compatible with most 802.3af/at PoE devices.

The EdgePower EP-54V-72W is easy to add to any site and integrates seamlessly with other EdgePower products.

AirFiber AF24 with battery backup power from EP-54V-72W

Learn more

EdgeRouter ER-12P Datasheet:
https://dl.ubnt.com/datasheets/edgemax/EdgeRouter_DS.pdf

EdgePower EP-54V-72W Datasheet:
https://dl.ubnt.com/ds/EdgePower

EdgeRouter ER-12P at Online Store:
https://store.ui.com/products/edgerouter-12p

EdgePower EP-54V-72W at Online Store:
https://store.ui.com/products/ep-54v-72w

UNMS Cloud is now FREE

Thu, 29 Aug 2019 11:40:00 GMT

Yes, you are reading this correctly! We have decided to remove all pricing plans. That means exactly what it says — UNMS Cloud is now completely free of charge ! We believe that having a reliable network and business management tool is crucial for any WISP. Unfortunately, some companies offer these types of tools at inflated prices that affect an already tight budget. Our goal is to empower anyone who would like to start a new WISP to help provide internet connectivity where coverage is lacking, and this is our contribution to this effort. If you are thinking about creating a WISP, the UNMS Cloud is the right tool for you. You can create a UNMS Cloud instance for free, and instantly have access to modern network and customer management tools.

Rolling Out to More Countries

The previous cloud version was only available in the USA, Mexico, and Canada. At that time we promised to bring UNMS Cloud to more countries and now we are keeping that promise. UNMS Cloud is now available all over the world except Europe. We are working hard to make UNMS Cloud available for Europe as soon as possible.

Unlimited Number of Devices and Clients for Free

While many other cloud services have a list of limitations and pricing based on device or client count, we decided to take the opposite course of action: UNMS Cloud is free with any number of devices or clients. However, to avoid misuse of this free service, we require users to connect at least one Ubiquiti device within the first day of usage and at least 10 devices during the first month.

Huge added value

In case you are still wondering whether to use the cloud, we have compiled a list of some of the advantages:

Easy transition

Are you ready to start using the cloud now? If you already are a UNMS user and you would like to use the cloud, the transition is simple thanks to our easy-to-use Migration tool . Transition worry-free as all your devices reconnect automatically; just make sure to read and follow all of the instructions carefully. If you change your mind later on, you can always return to running the UNMS instance locally. With the migration tool, the way back is just as easy!

Coming soon

At Ubiquiti, we are always striving to improve. Here is a sneak peak at some of the enhancements to UNMS Cloud that are in the works:

Stay tuned for more upgrades and news about the cloud service!

UNMS Cloud is here

Fri, 19 Jul 2019 08:36:00 GMT

With great joy, we would like to announce another milestone in UNMS development. UNMS Cloud service is now available for you. This platform is exceptionally useful for users who do not want to install UNMS on their own hardware or for those who want to give UNMS a try for a month without any cost. Yes, UNMS Cloud is completely free of charge, we only ask you to connect one UBNT device within the first 24 hours and ten devices within the first 30 days of using it. So what are you waiting for?

What does the UNMS Cloud offer?

UNMS Cloud includes our latest version of UNMS v1 which addresses both your network and your billing and customer management needs. With our new UNMS Cloud, you will get access to a platform that is designed to take care of as many aspects of your business as possible—and the best part? It’s free of charge! The business side works seamlessly with the network management elements so, for example, if you decide to cancel, suspend or traffic-shape a service for a specific customer, you can do that in the CRM module and the network management side will automatically make all necessary config changes on the related devices behind the scene.

UNMS Cloud saves your time and money

You do not need to be a Linux guru, everything will be deployed, monitored and maintained by us. The cloud comes with huge added value as well. You get a free in-app Google map and free SSL certificates handled automatically for you (secure connection for users, devices, and payment gateways used by your clients). It is online 24/7. All the UNMS features like Network management, CRM, and the Client Zone are always available even during power outages in your network. You will always be the owner of your data: you can migrate your UNMS Cloud data to the local UNMS or back at any moment. And you get automatic UNMS upgrades with an option to configure the maintenance window for these upgrades in the Cloud UI.

How about the pricing?

We’re offering all the benefits mentioned above completely free of charge. The only thing we ask is that you connect one Ubiquiti device in twenty-four hours and nine more in the first thirty days of using our Cloud.

Easy migration

If you are already a UNMS user and you would like to go cloud, there is a handy migration tool prepared for you. It will automatically reconnect devices from your current UNMS instance to the cloud. Make sure you read the instructions well. In the same way, your data can be migrated back to any local UNMS instance.

Coming soon

G4 Pro Beats the Leading Home Brand Cameras in Image Quality Shootout

Fri, 05 Jul 2019 08:37:00 GMT

We tested the best cameras from leading home surveillance brands and compared them to our UniFi G4 Pro 4k camera.

Cameras from the Leading Brands

We selected the highest performance models from Ring, Nest, and Arlo and benchmarked them against the UniFi G4 Pro.

Test Setup for Image Quality

Camera Configuration

Assessment Method

Car License Plates, Daytime

5 m Distance

10 m Distance

15 m Distance

15 m Distance, G4 Pro with 3x Optical Zoom

Daytime license plate results: The G4 Pro has the best sharpness at all distances. With the optical zoom applied on the G4 Pro, the state on each license plate is easy to read at a distance of 15 m, while all other cameras can only provide the general color of the plate – no other details.

Car License Plates, Nighttime, 5 m Distance

License Lights ON, with the Camera Built-In LED Lighting (Ring, Arlo)

Tail Lights ON, with the Camera Built-In LED Lighting (Ring, Arlo)

Front Lights ON, with the Camera Built-In LED Lighting (Ring, Arlo)

Nighttime license plate results: License plates at night are demanding for surveillance systems. The G4 Pro provides the most successful readings. Ring provides the second-best results. Arlo and Nest suffer from over-exposure because of the bright reflections. Arlo performance was not better with IR lighting (LED light turned off); it suffered from similar over-exposure with IR lighting.

You may think the reflection problem happens only at a narrow angle and that turning the license plate removes the reflection. Based on our tests, it does not. The reflective material of the license plates makes them bright at a wide angle. Turning the plate 30 degrees didn’t seem to improve the picture.

Vision Chart and Face, 5 m Distance

Daytime

Nighttime, LED Light OFF (Ring, Arlo)

Nighttime, LED Light ON (Ring, Arlo)

Intuitively, an integrated LED light sounds like a great addition to a camera. In practice, it may not help. Combining a wide-angle lens, high-power wide-angle LED lighting, and limited capabilities in exposure control leads to an undesirable outcome. It’s like shooting an outdoor photo at night with the flash on. You can see nearby objects, but the image is dark beyond the range of the flash.

Vision chart results: The G4 Pro performs the best here. Ring performs the worst, lacking sharpness and struggling with exposure control.

Image Quality Summary

Overall Results

We wanted to compare the top models. You may ask, was it fair to include Ring since it only has a Full HD sensor? Maybe not. However, our intent was to see what each included vendor has to offer.

There are significant differences. Arlo Ultra records a 4k stream, but it may offer fewer details than Nest Cam IQ Outdoor. According to our test results, Arlo Ultra struggles to show any letters on the plates at night, while Ring still shows many details.

G4 Pro image quality is superior compared to any other camera in this comparison.

If reading license plates or identifying individuals at a distance is the determining factor, you may need to look past what Arlo, Nest, and Ring products can offer. The G4 Pro is a solid choice for home and professional needs.

Professional Image Quality at Lower Total Cost

You pay less for a professional-quality G4 Pro camera system than you would pay for comparable Nest and Arlo systems. Mandatory subscriptions make cloud-based video surveillance products expensive in the long run and additional features cost extra. With UniFi Protect you get all the features without subscriptions or other fees. In addition, you keep your videos private, and don’t slow down your internet connection.

The Full HD Ring camera system costs less than the G4 Pro system. With its Full HD sensor, it’s more comparable to the G3 Flex Full HD camera system. It’s hard to beat the G3 Flex in value – the G3 Flex system costs a fraction of Ring’s price and offers excellent image quality.

If you need video storage for more than seven days, the cost difference grows even larger. Nest subscriptions for extended storage make it very expensive.

The G4 Pro is a great choice for home and professional 4k surveillance that prioritizes the best resolution. You can buy the G4 Pro in our web store (US and Canada) or from our resellers .

The G3 Flex camera offers incredible Full HD performance. If you want to learn more about the G3 Flex, check out the G3 Flex camera comparison .

PowerNews: Underground Fire Leads to Extended Power Outage

Mon, 20 May 2019 12:50:00 GMT

South Bend Power Outage Due to Underground Fire Leaves Businesses Scrambling

What was done in the meantime to keep area businesses online? Read on to find out >>

A Noisy Contingency Plan

City officials said the contingency plan for the infrastructure in the area included placing 39 gas-powered generators at intersections to power both traffic and street lights. It was up to businesses in the area, however, to determine what to do for themselves.

This case is an extreme example of an extended power outage , which last around 8 hours on average. In South Bend, a nearby hospital was running on power from backup generators, which would work in concert with UPSs around the facility to provide seamless power when the utility supply failed.

To prepare for extended outages, Minuteman’s XL and EXL Battery Packs can provide hours of backup time for critical equipment, and provide a stop-gap power solution for transfer to generator power.

Learn more about Extended Runtime Solutions >>

Read the full South Bend Power Outage Story >>

The post PowerNews: Underground Fire Leads to Extended Power Outage appeared first on Minuteman UPS .

Introducing the EdgePower 24V UPS Power Supply and Versatile EdgeRouter 10X

Fri, 03 May 2019 14:25:00 GMT

We are excited to announce two new products expanding the Ubiquiti EdgeMAX product family.

An ideal companion for EdgeSwitches and EdgeRouters, the EdgePower 24V (EP-24V-72W) provides an Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) for WISP sites. The EdgePower design uses an external battery, which provides flexibility and makes maintenance easy.
With ten Gigabit RJ-45 ports and industry-leading price/performance value, EdgeRouter 10X (ER-10X) expands the EdgeRouter portfolio. ER-10X is the big brother of EdgeRouter X (ER-X), offering more ports and RAM.

Uninterrupted Power from EdgePower 24V UPS

To continue service without interruptions, all critical equipment passing traffic need continuous power. Battery backup power systems take over when the AC power supply fails.

EdgePower 24V is normally AC powered. In case of an AC power outage, it uses the external battery. Switching to battery power is instant, without interruptions. Since the EP-24V-72W does not embed the battery, the site planner has the flexibility to determine battery capacity and operation time based on the specific application. When necessary, site maintenance staff can replace the external batteries without any interruption to service.

Good WISP site architecture uses one integrated UPS system feeding all equipment. EdgePower 24V meets the requirements by combining the use of DC and 24V passive PoE. The EP-24V-72W offers two passive 24V PoE feeds, each providing up to 15 W of DC power. In parallel, there is a 24V DC connector offering up to 72W of DC power. This architecture allows powering of both 24V PoE and 24V DC-based systems from the same UPS.

Local and Remote Power Supply Monitoring

EdgePower 24V has local and remote monitoring capabilities. The management connection uses one of the RJ-45 interfaces.
A browser-based EdgePower Configuration Interface allows easy system configuration. EdgePower 24V also includes a Ping Watchdog feature. It continuously pings a target and if pings fail, the system reboots itself. This makes stand-alone operation more reliable.

Full remote management capabilities are available by connecting one RJ-45 port to the LAN. The network manager can remotely monitor EdgePower 24V and get alerts using UNMS (Ubiquiti Network Management System) or SNMP.
EdgePower 24V is an ideal companion for Ubiquiti EdgeRouters and EdgeSwitches.

EdgeRouter 10X Broadens the Portfolio

EdgeRouter 10X optimizes value by doubling the number of ports and amount of memory compared to EdgeRouter X. EdgeRouter 10X is positioned as a product between ER-X and ER-12.

The ER-10X provides ten Gigabit Ethernet ports and 512 MB RAM. It is powered by 24V PoE via port 1 or an external AC/DC adapter. Port 10 provides passthrough for 24V PoE output. The unique price/performance value makes it ideal for sites in the 1 Gbps Layer 3 forwarding capacity range.

Learn more about the EdgePower 24V here and EdgeRouter 10X here .

UniFi UAP-AC-SHD Excels in Wi-Fi AP Benchmark Test

Tue, 09 Apr 2019 13:30:00 GMT

Periodically, we hire Alethea Communications to perform third-party testing for our Access Point (AP) products. Alethea specializes in network stress testing services and products. They use various test methods with simulated and real client devices. This test used real client devices in a realistic environment with up to 100 devices. This method gives very reliable data for real-world performance.

Tested APs

This test focused on high-end 4×4 APs with one 2.4 GHz radio and one 5 GHz radio. The tested APs and their costs are summarized below .

Real Client Devices

In the previous tests, the client base consisted mostly of devices using the Intel Wi-Fi chipset. In this round, Alethea expanded the client base. They performed tests with a realistic client mix using the latest available drivers. The following are examples of test clients used:

The n umber of simultaneous clients performing tests were 1, 32, and 100, depending on the test case.

Realistic Test Environment

Alethea used a classroom environment for the test. They positioned the test AP in the center of the area. All testing was done on the 5 GHz band and the 2.4 GHz radio was disabled. Alethea used the 80 MHz channel for single-client tests and 40 MHz channel for 32- and 100-client tests.

The nominal AP power level was +20 dBm. The test team calibrated average received AP signal level at the client to the same level, approximately -43 dBm, for all of the tested APs. AP power level settings were adjusted to equalize the differences.

Reasons for the calibration procedure:

The measured signal level data shows that APs set to the same power level had significant differences in power levels as measured by clients. This calibration step was important to achieve realistic and comparable results in the targeted application.

PERFORMANCE DATA

Throughput Performance

Test data presents the aggregate throughput from all test clients. DL and UL tests were performed separately. In the DL test, all clients performed a simultaneous downlink transfer. Similarly, in the UL test, all clients performed the UL transfer test.

Throughput with 1 Client

Throughput with 32 Clients

Throughput with 100 Clients

Video Streaming Performance

Mixed Traffic Performance

A m ixed traffic test simulates a real network. The AP need s to balance between various client types, signal levels, and various applications. Alethea performed the tests with default QoS settings.

The mixed traffic test included simultaneous traffic:

Below is data for each group of clients performing tests with a certain application.

Throughput During Mixed Traffic

Voice Quality During Mixed Traffic

Video Streaming During Mixed Traffic

CONCLUSIONS

Performance Scoring

Alethea used a five-grade scale for the overall scoring. The highest and lowest values of each test determined the full range, which they further divided into five equal sub-ranges. Depending on the test results, each AP got a score from 1 to 5 for each test.

Final Scores

According to test data, UAP-AC-SHD scored the highest overall, followed by Cisco 3802i. While this may be surprising for some readers, it’s not surprising for us. Performance is an important long-term focus area for our development teams.

When selecting the best product for your network, you are likely to consider the balance between performance and cost. I calculated the cost of performance by dividing the cost by the overall score.

In addition to the leading performance, UAP-AC-SHD provides exceptional value. The cost of performance is only 18-32% of a competitor’s equivalent .

I took this test data from Alethea ’s raw data tables and created the summaries in this blog post. Alethea has also published the comprehensive test reports. You can view the reports here . They contain a lot of interesting details and findings which go beyond the information presented in this blog post. For example, it is very interesting to observe the performance differences between client devices with different operating systems.

Ubiquiti offers a large variety of Wi-Fi access points for different use cases. You can get a quick overview of all UniFi APs from this knowledge base article .

You may be pleasantly surprised by the performance, value, and ease of use Ubiquiti products offer. I encourage you to give them a try.

Introducing AC-powered UniFi LED Panels and Dimmer Switches

Wed, 13 Mar 2019 10:42:00 GMT

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PowerNews: November and Storm Season, from Hurricanes to Blizzards

Wed, 19 Nov 2014 13:45:00 GMT

Another very unique thing about this lovely month of November, is that it exists in both hurricane season and winter storm season. With hurricane season ending November 30th and temperatures dropping across the country, the possibility of storms is incredibly high. Both homes and businesses need to stay protected and keep things up and running, regardless of what the weather might through at them.

If we look back a couple of years to 2012 in the fall, the Northeast was being pounded by Hurricane Sandy, leaving thousands without power or resources. With that reminder of hurricane season still present, much of Buffalo and upstate New York is getting the reminder that winter weather is very much upon us this season. In the past 48 hours, Buffalo, NY and surrounding areas have been hit with as much as 5 feet of snow, leaving individuals stuck in homes and businesses shut down.

Find out more about the ERS1500RTNC on our website or get a more in-depth look on the PowerBlog .

Also, check out our full product line of UPSs here .

The post PowerNews: November and Storm Season, from Hurricanes to Blizzards appeared first on Minuteman UPS .

PowerNews: Gentlemen, Start Your Flashlights at NASCAR Blackout

Mon, 10 Nov 2014 13:41:00 GMT

In the leadup to Phoenix NASCAR race, lights go out leading to delay

Drivers sat outside their vehicles and fans looked on from the stands, waiting for more than an hour for the lights to come back on so the race could get underway – those headlights on the front of the trucks are just stickers, after all. What caused the delay? Read on to find out.

Utility Provider Still Investigating

The initial power outage, which ended after around an hour delay, along with a second outage which caused the race to be concluded before the total distance was run, are each being investigated by the Arizona Public Service – the area’s utility provider.

Fans left disappointed after the bizarre night saw only 114 of 126 laps completed. NASCAR officials cited safety concerns as the reason for cutting the race short, deeming the risk of a 3rd outage to great to send drivers back out onto the high speed oval. NASCAR trucks can average over 130 mph on a lap of the track, making the threat of darkness during running a grave concern to all those involved.

Backup Generators Not Enough

Stadium lights such as those installed at race tracks present a tremendous amount of electrical load. Phoenix International Raceway uses generators in key areas, but not to support the entire track. No word was given whether vital systems such as networks, servers, and other ‘back-end’ functions were affected negatively during the outage.

Preparedness is Key

The NASCAR blackout can teach us a lesson: backing up communications systems, security devices, and other critical functions with Uninterrruptible Power Supplies , including Minuteman’s newest ERS Ruggedized UPSs , ensures that they will be available when power fails.

Read the whole story about NASCAR’s dark night

See how Minuteman can protect your business against outages

The post PowerNews: Gentlemen, Start Your Flashlights at NASCAR Blackout appeared first on Minuteman UPS .

PowerNews: Point Proven – NY Power Outage Costs Businesses Thousands

Tue, 26 Aug 2014 13:13:00 GMT

Village-wide Power Outage Leaves Greenport Business Owners Reeling

The Long Island village of Greenport recently experienced an extended power outage , with some businesses facing up to 12 hours in the dark. The village is a destination for thousands of tourists each year, leaving hotels, restaurants, and other shops reeling in the wake of the power problems as visitors left he area.

What was the total damage? That is hard to say, but one business owner claims to have lost more than $10,000 in refunded reservations during the outage. The question facing these businesses now is what caused the outage, and what could have been done to prevent their losses?

More Questions than Answers

Greenport Village officials released a statement outlining a number of complications that took place which led to two areas going without power well into the night. Residents reported getting a number of explanations when they called for updates.

A former utilities director for the village, Bill Swiskey, stated that the explanation presented by officials was not really an explanation at all.

$10,000+ Walked Out the Door

The Greenport Hotel faced a substantial number of walkouts from people who couldn’t stay at the facility without power. The company’s owner estimated the losses at more than $10,000 in bookings, along with overtime pay for workers and potential damages to computers and other equipment.

Preparing for Disaster

A comprehensive power protection plan could have helped many of these businesses stay ahead of the curve during this extended outage. By protecting point of sale, network, and communications systems with uninterruptible power supplies (UPSs) , retail stores could continue processing sales.

The hotel could benefit from utilizing extended runtime UPSs as a holdover for backup generators which could provide power to climate control in at least part of the facility. In addition, refunds and other customer service measures would be handled much more smoothly with computer systems online, turning a bad situation into an opportunity to make a positive impression with high service.

The Cost of Preparedness is Minimal vs. the Alternative

When analyzing the potential losses an extended outage such as this one can have, the cost of protecting systems up front becomes negligible.

The post PowerNews: Point Proven – NY Power Outage Costs Businesses Thousands appeared first on Minuteman UPS .

PowerNews: Power Outage ‘Hiccup’ Briefly Halts Summer Fun

Tue, 01 Jul 2014 13:04:00 GMT

Rides at Canobie Lake Amusement Park grind to a halt as power fails

Backup generators kicked in after a few minutes, allowing all rides to return their passengers without incident, but what lessons were there to be learned from the outage?

Fortunately for passengers, the park’s backup generators were in good working condition and were able to revive the rides in relatively short order. The park described the event as a minor ‘hiccup’, and other than a spot of inconvenience for park-goers, no harm was done.

In other businesses, a stoppage like this can lead to significant losses. Even a few minutes of downtime can lead to unsatisfied customers, lost orders, or even halted production lines. Fortunately, both small and large UPSs exist to bridge the gap between utility and generator.

At the workstation level, standby and line interactive UPSs represent a cost-effective means of keeping computers humming, files saving, and phones ringing. These units can pay for themselves the first time the power goes off by preventing lost time and damage to critical hardware.

For a more efficient option, single and 3-phase double conversion, or online, UPSs can provide a centralized backup solution for an entire network infrastructure, or even an entire building. These units can provide a stop-gap between the outage and the generator, and provide complete protection against the sometimes inconsistent power that these machines can provide.

In the case of an amusement park, UPSs can provide backup to electronic control systems and prevent the need for a full system restart after an outage. What can they do for your business?

See our full line of Battery Backup Solutions >>

The post PowerNews: Power Outage ‘Hiccup’ Briefly Halts Summer Fun appeared first on Minuteman UPS .

PowerNews: Raccoons Wreak Havoc in Indiana Substation

Mon, 21 Apr 2014 12:32:00 GMT

Furry animals surpass countermeasures to bring down power

The power feed from the station to hundreds of homes in the area was knocked out when the animals came in contact with electrical breakers, shorting out the supply and leaving residents in the dark. Read on to find out what prevented the situation from being even worse.

Never Underestimate Your Opponent

Their craftiness was rewarded with – well, you can probably guess how shorting out high-voltage equipment in a substation worked out for them.

Preventive Systems did their Job

The good news from this event is that circuit breakers at the site did exactly what they were supposed to do – shut down power after short occurred. This prevented any further damage from occurring, allowing officials to complete checks and restore power less than an hour later.

Fortunately for smaller scale users of power, Uninterruptible Power Supplies feature circuit breakers and overload protection that work in much the same way in the event of a short or other catastrophic power problem. Utilizing a UPS will both prevent downtime during a utility power outage, and stop the flow of electricity if a short occurs in the connected equipment, preventing further damage.

Learn more about Uninterruptible Power Supplies >>

The post PowerNews: Raccoons Wreak Havoc in Indiana Substation appeared first on Minuteman UPS .

Tech Tip: UPS Network Management with SNMP Accessories

Thu, 17 Apr 2014 12:29:00 GMT

Power is great, but it’s how you can control it that counts

These devices go by many names: smart cards, network cards, or remote management cards, but it all refers to the same thing: SNMP, or Simple Network Management Protocol . Learn more in our SNMP Video: Becoming Master of Your Power after the jump.

Complete Control of your UPS from Anywhere on the Network

Minuteman SNMP cards are an interface between the UPS and the network. Cards can communicate the status of a UPS and issue commands to it. All Minuteman SNMP cards support SNMP and HTTP protocols for user access. Through the SNMP NMS and/or Web Browser, users can monitor the UPS status, issue commands, and set up the SNMP card through the network.

PowerLearning Video Series: Becoming Master of Your Power

Learn more about what Minuteman’s SNMP communications cards can do for you in this installment of our PowerLearning Video Series .

See all of Minuteman’s SNMP Accessory Cards >>

View more PowerLearning Series Videos >>

The post Tech Tip: UPS Network Management with SNMP Accessories appeared first on Minuteman UPS .

Newbie’s Nook: Power Problems

Thu, 27 Mar 2014 12:00:00 GMT

Now, what is a blackout? A complete loss of power. Easy again.

Lightning Round (no pun intended): what damage can a blackout case? …no power? Isn’t that it?

Not quite…power problems vary significantly and can range from being an annoyance to downright detrimental to systems and equipment. In this Newbie’s Nook, I’ll talk about the 5 major types of power problems and how they can mean more than just the lights going out for a while.

1.) Blackouts

2.) Sags/Surges

3.) Brownouts

4.) Spikes/Transients

5.) Line Noise

For me, power problems usually mean that I don’t get to check Facebook and have to wait out the boredom by candlelight. However, for many businesses, power problems can lead to downtime, data loss, and even equipment damage. None of which a company can afford.

That’s where Minuteman comes in. Minuteman’s protection and management equipment can not only keep you up and running but can save your data and precious equipment as well. Check out more information on our website and see how Minuteman can help!

To protect against these problems, view all of our power protection products here: www.minutemanups.com/products

The post Newbie’s Nook: Power Problems appeared first on Minuteman UPS .

WHITE PAPER: Is Security System Battery Backup Enough?

Fri, 21 Mar 2014 11:47:00 GMT

Explore The Critical Role of Security System Battery Backup and Surge Protection

What are the considerations when backing up a security system? How much backup runtime should a DVR or Fire Alarm system have? How can you be sure you are prepared? Fortunately, we have answered all those questions and more in the Security & Power White Pape r .

In addition, the potential consequences of not being protected, including loss, litigation, and injury are explored.

Finally, each section of the security system is analyzed, and a protection plan is outlined including the protection system needed, how much runtime is recommended, what regulations must be considered, and any other special considerations must be kept in mind.

Finally, a Security Power Prep Quiz will help you assess your security system’s preparedness by helping you prioritize equipment, determine how security should be included in disaster plans, and recover from problems gracefully.

Download the Security and Power White Paper to learn more about protecting your vital security system >>

The post WHITE PAPER: Is Security System Battery Backup Enough? appeared first on Minuteman UPS .

PowerNews: Power Outage Leaves Hotel Guests Out in the Cold

Wed, 12 Mar 2014 11:38:00 GMT

Power outage leaves hotels without electricity and guests without places to stay

The widespread outage occurred when 40 power lines snapped because of the wind and the ice.

While many casinos around the area are dealing with the same outage, Gold Strike is the only hotel and casino in the area that has fully closed. The hotel is reportedly closing for the safety and security of their guests and employees. Two other hotels, Sam’s Town and Fitz Tunica, are also without power but are allowing their guests to stay at the powerless hotel. Other hotels are accommodating current guests only and some are even accepting future reservations if the guests are willing and able to put up with the road and weather conditions.

Despite not having any electricity, heat, or hot water in any of the rooms, many hotels have managed to keep the casino portions of the hotels up and running through the use of backup power and generators. One guest described a hotel as having completely dark and cold rooms but fully functioning casino services. With these backup power supplies and generators, many hotels and casinos were able to keep their doors open and saved them from detrimental downtime, as the Gold Strike experienced.

As seen in this TMCNet article , casinos are some of the worst places for outages because of their extreme dependence on power, both in terms of downtime and security.

How Minuteman helps casinos…

Minuteman’s diverse line of UPSs , or uninterrupted power supplies, is purposed just for incidents like this one in Tunica. UPSs providing backup power to these hotels and casinos could have saved many from downtime associated with these kind of power problems.

Come see Minuteman in booth 214 at the Gaming Technology Conference March 17-19th in Las Vegas!

Read the full story at WMCTV.com >>

The post PowerNews: Power Outage Leaves Hotel Guests Out in the Cold appeared first on Minuteman UPS .

PowerNews: ERCOT Urges Conservation During Winter Lows

Mon, 03 Mar 2014 04:51:00 GMT

With frigid temps descending on Texas, Reliability Council warns conservation is key

The Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) released a warning early Sunday morning, as Texans (us included) huddled for warmth inside their homes. The general idea was simple: electric conservation would be required, otherwise an an overload of the grid may occur, leading to a loss of electrical reliability (generally, rolling blackouts).

What were their recommendations for conserving power? Read on to find out..

Not just for emergencies

Before we get into the specific recommendations for conserving power during the high-demand times, it is worth noting that some of these steps can be taken at any time during the winter to help lower energy costs, and reduce overall demand on the utility power systems. Now let’s take a look at the recommendations from ERCOT:

The first, and most obvious step in preserving energy during these cold times is to sacrifice a bit of comfort for savings from your electric heat system. Even a few degrees can make a difference, and ERCOT recommends 68 degrees or lower.

Turn off and unplug non-essential lights and appliances

Turning off unused lights is fairly straightforward, but many devices consume substantial energy even when turned off. Investigating these devices, such as A/V players, chargers, and other ‘vampire power’ devices can lead to year-round savings by simply only having them plugged in when necessary.

Large appliances can place a significant strain on the power grid, and running them during peak times causes even bigger problems. In addition, users can reduce their energy consumption by ensuring a load is full before running, eliminating wasteful use.

Close shades and Blinds to Reduce Heat Loss

Many do not realize the role that window coverings play in energy efficiency in the home – at night, an open blind can allow a vast amount of heat energy to escape, causing the home heat system to work harder and consume more energy. Closing curtains and blinds traps heat within, and reduces the amount of energy needed to keep things at the optimum temperature.

How can Minuteman help?

The tips offered by ERCOT are just the tip of the iceberg – homeowners can take steps all around the house to reduce energy consumption.

Minuteman’s UPS and RPM products, coupled with SentryHD Power Manager software , can shut down equipment automatically to eliminate vampire power loss year-round, and save users substantial amounts of money on their utility bills.

Read the full release from ERCOT about Power Conservation >>

The post PowerNews: ERCOT Urges Conservation During Winter Lows appeared first on Minuteman UPS .

Tech Tip: Remote Power Management

Wed, 26 Feb 2014 04:31:00 GMT

Stay on and connected from anywhere with Remote Power Management tools from Minuteman

Wait, revolutions per minute? Not quite…read on to find out new meaning of RPM, and how it can help you.

smart phone in woman hand on a beach in Asturias Spain

An RPM (Remote Power Manager) is an ip-addressable PDU that gives administrators and technicians access to the power of connected servers, network equipment, and security devices via a secure connection. An RPM becomes an extremely valuable tool when, for instance, devices are remotely located or not easy to access.

Minuteman’s RPM Series Highlights:

Control power to up to 16 devices from anywhere that an internet connection is present

Receive instant notification when power events or lockups occur via email or text message

Securely reboot locked devices from a laptop, PC, smartphone, or tablet via web browser

Save power with scheduled startup and shutdown during off-hours to increase efficiency

The global network business concept can be use to symbolise virtual team sites remote working and related global business concepts

In this ‘always on’ world, we can’t afford the downtime it takes to fix remote power problems. That’s where our ‘always connected’ society comes in. By connecting system administrators and technicians with their equipment through their phones, businesses are able to save time, increase productivity and cut cost.

Video: Learn more about all of the Remote Power Management tools from Minuteman

Download our Free White Paper: Saving Time & Money with Remote Power Management

The post Tech Tip: Remote Power Management appeared first on Minuteman UPS .

EnterprisePlus LCD UPS In-depth: RT vs. RTXL

Fri, 21 Feb 2014 04:23:00 GMT

In-depth: EnterprisePlus LCD RT vs. RTXL – which one is right for you?

So, what are all those numbers and letters at the end of the new EnterprisePlus LCD models anyway? While they may look a bit random, each one serves a purpose in explaining exactly what the unit is capable of. Come along and we’ll show you.

Knowledge is Power

To help get you ahead of the curve, let’s break down all the numbers and letters so you can be sure of what you’re looking at when browsing through the updated EnterprisePlus LCD product line.

As the graphic above shows, the UPS model number breaks down into 5 sections – Series, Rating, Mounting Format, Runtime Capability, and Rack Height. Let’s look at these a little more in-depth:

RT vs. RTXL – Standard vs. Extended Runtime

To decide between the RT and RTXL models within the EnterprisePlus LCD lineup, the first consideration is what equipment you will be backing up. Does it need to be available for extended periods of time – essentially, do you need minutes of time in an outage or hours?

If the answer is hours, for equipment such as telephone systems , servers , security devices , or other critical equipment, the RTXL is the best option as it allows the connection of XL and EXL external battery packs . Even if the need for substantial runtimes is not immediately apparent, choosing the RTXL can be a good insurance plan for later.

The RT model is a lower cost option for areas where the base runtime of the unit will be all that is needed. Savings at the initial purchase can be as much as 13% , opening this model up to a wide range of budgets in the telecommunications, IT, and security sectors.

Minuteman’s SizeMyUPS.com is an excellent resource for properly sizing an EnterprisePlus LCD UPS for your system. Simply select your equipment from the extensive database, or enter your loads if they are already known. Then select EnterprisePlus LCD from the Narrow by Product Line dropdown to see the solutions available for your application and the estimated runtimes they will provide.

Learn more about the all-new EnterprisePlus LCD UPS >>

Size an EnterprisePlus LCD UPS for your system now at SizeMyUPS >>

The post EnterprisePlus LCD UPS In-depth: RT vs. RTXL appeared first on Minuteman UPS .

Tech Tip: Do I still need local battery backup with colocation?

Mon, 17 Feb 2014 04:06:00 GMT

Offsite data & colocation are all the rage, but will you still need local battery backup?

The feeling is often out of sight, out of mind once these services have been activated, but the reality is that they are only as reliable as your own infrastructure. How can you ensure a steady link to your cloud? It starts with reliable power.

All cloud services, no matter how reliable, depend on a simple internet connection to maintain operations. This means each piece of your internal network is still responsible for connecting you to vital data, and can still present a liability when power problems occur, even though the data is off-site.

Here are a few areas to consider when moving to the cloud:

Modems, switches, hubs, routers, wireless access points, and other network devices all work to maintain each person’s connection to the cloud, and the data stored within it. Each of these devices should be backed up with a UPS that can accommodate its electrical load for the desired amount of time.

Network device loads vary greatly, from small routers that can be backed up by an inexpensive standby unit , to large loads that require a line interactive or true on-line system for adequate backup. Check out the Newbie’s Nook post on UPSs for more information about these types.

types.

While it seems obvious, every workstation (including the PC, telephone handset, and peripherals) within the building depends on power to function properly. When cloud storage is involved, files are often saved locally before being uploaded, and can be lost or corrupted when power problems occur.

In many cases, a UPS is present at these stations, but has been ignored for several years. These are often only found to have a dead battery when called upon, leading to data loss and potential hardware damage.

Appropriate workstation backup is largely dependent on the backup runtime desired, and how much space is available for the installation. Slimline tower line interactive systems are a popular solution, as they provide a favorable mix of runtime, power conditioning, and space savings.

Don’t get lost in the clouds

While it is easy to consider your problems solved once critical operations are in the hands of a professional data center, the job is simply not done yet. A complete protection system on-site is critical, and can help ensure your link to the cloud is more like an escalator than a magic beanstalk.

Learn more about battery backup for
IT and Network applications at our IT/Network Portal page >>

Learn more about battery backup for
Telecommunications Systems at our Telecom Portal page >>

The post Tech Tip: Do I still need local battery backup with colocation? appeared first on Minuteman UPS .

NEW PRODUCT: EnterprisePlus LCD UPSs are available now

Fri, 14 Feb 2014 03:45:00 GMT

New UPSs from Minuteman offer unmatched versatility across multiple markets

Check out the press release here , and make the jump to see everything we’ve improved, along with all the good things about the outgoing Enterprise that we kept around.

Everything you loved about EnterprisePlus – enhanced
With all the improvements made to the new EnterprisePlus LCD, we can’t overlook the things we’ve carried over from the venerable EnterprisePlus. Power is still regulated by a robust automatic voltage regulator, and the units still come in a rugged and versatile rack/tower convertible format. Most importantly, our 3-year, non-prorated warranty is still included, ensuring peace of mind beyond that of many competitive units.

Check out all the updated specifications, complete feature list, inside look video, and more at the EnterprisePlus LCD page >>

The post NEW PRODUCT: EnterprisePlus LCD UPSs are available now appeared first on Minuteman UPS .

Newbie’s Nook: What’s a UPS?

Mon, 10 Feb 2014 03:59:00 GMT

Well, a UPS, or uninterruptible power supply, is an electrical apparatus that provides emergency power to a device, or devices, when the input power source fails, and is typically used to protect hardware such as computers, data centers, telecommunications equipment or other electrical equipment where an unexpected power disruption could occur. It also provides protection from surges, or voltage increases, in utility power.

Short answer: a power supply when something goes wrong.

First of all let me explain some basics about how power is delivered to a device, say a computer. So I have my computer plugged straight into the wall. If the current from the wall is normal, then it goes right into the computer and I can browse Facebook until my heart desires. Now, say it’s stormy outside and there is a blackout. No power to the computer. No Facebook. Pretty simple, right? Okay, now here is where a UPS comes in. A UPS will keep me on Facebook, regardless of if the power goes out or not. Here is how… (broken up by UPS type)

A standby UPS is the most basic type of UPS. Think of them as the power strip you have in your living room but with a battery…well slightly more complex. A current can go through a standby UPS in two ways: normal or under battery power. If a normal current is detected by the UPS, then the signal is allowed to go straight through to the device (i.e. computer) much like in the example above. However, if any sort of power anomaly (i.e. blackout) is detected then the UPS switches over to battery power and stays that way until normal power is restored, with only a short (think milliseconds!) delay.

So, normal current or battery power.

Now, onto line interactive, which is a step up from standby, but not as sophisticated as the on-line. Much like a standby UPS, a current can go through normally or on battery power. However, a line interactive UPS has an automatic voltage regulator, or AVR. An AVR acts as a sort of gatekeeper and each unit has a range that covers slightly above and slightly below normal which is 110V. For instance, a range can be between 100v and 120v. So here are the options for the current: 1.) If the current coming from the wall is normal then it goes right through. 2.) If the current is abnormal but still within a certain range, the voltage regulator will either boost the current up to normal or bring it down to normal. 3.) However, if the current is abnormal and outside of the range then the UPS will switch to battery power just like the standby UPS.

Thus, normal current, voltage regulator, or battery power.

Lastly, the crème de la crème of power protection, the on-line UPS . Unlike the standby and line interactive, the on-line UPS only has one option for the current going into it: to be converted. Without getting too complex, the normal signal that travels from the wall into a computer is an AC signal. An on-line UPS takes that AC signal, regardless of whether it’s normal or not, and transforms it into a DC signal then back into an AC signal as it leaves the UPS. So essentially, an on-line UPS cleans up the signal before it’s sent into a device. This ensures that the best level of power quality goes into your device.

On-line: one option, AC to DC to AC conversion.

Of course, each of these types of UPSs has its own place and application. One wouldn’t typically connect an on-line UPS to a television in their den, but that’s getting into a whole different article. Bye for now!

VIDEO: UPS Battery Testing and Replacement Procedure

Thu, 30 Jan 2014 03:39:00 GMT

– Temperature where the unit is located
– Total number of times the battery is fully discharged
– Utility power quality : poor quality leads to shorter life
– Proper Maintenance : 4 to 6 full discharges per year recommended

Luckily, there are also some easy ways to tell if the batteries in your battery backup need to be replaced, and we’ve put together a quick video to show you all the details. Make the jump to learn how to replace your UPS batteries.

The process of testing, and then if necessary, replacing the batteries in most consumer UPSs is straightforward. This video covers the testing and replacement process for our smaller units, including the EnSpire , Entrust , and PRO-LCD series.

As you can see in the video, a few screws and a few minutes are all that stand between you and another 3-5 years of trouble-free service from your UPS if the batteries have gone bad.

Minuteman offers OE-grade replacement batteries through our website , allowing you to be sure you’re getting the same quality batteries your unit originally came with. In addition, these batteries are put together in single piece modules, eliminating the worry of matching up jumper wires and fumbling with multiple batteries on larger VA-rated units.

Head over to our Battery Replacement resource page now to learn more >>

The post VIDEO: UPS Battery Testing and Replacement Procedure appeared first on Minuteman UPS .

PowerNews: Planned Power Outage has Unplanned Consequences

Tue, 21 Jan 2014 03:35:00 GMT

4 P.M. proves an inopportune time for planned power outage in Prince Edward Island

“At least we got all the trimming done that we needed to do. The next guy is in more worse shape than me,” one patron said. The outage was one thing, but what led to it is what has the city’s business owners in an uproar.

A lighthouse can’t be without light

Maritime Electric , the city’s utility provider, intentionally took down power to repair a frayed line that they felt posed a danger. The problem, however, was that many residents and business owners in the area had no idea the outage was to take place. According to the utility company, there was only a two hour window to provide notice.

Looks like we now have another blackout cause to add to our list: The Unplanned Planned Outage .

Many employees and shopkeepers in the area claim that news of the planned outage was not delivered to them until the lights went out, and questioned the timing. One convenience store clerk made it known that the blackout fell in the middle of her busiest time of the day.

Could UPSs have helped save the day?

There is no mention of any shops remaining open thanks to adequate power protection, but we hope at least a few were able to carry on as normal with battery backups providing auxiliary juice.

With a proper protection plan in place, an unplanned outage such as this would be a mere inconvenience instead of a financial pitfall to end the week. In the case of the businesses in PEI, having functional power during the outage could have actually led to an hour and a half long monetary windfall for a business.

Perhaps the most telling fact of the story, however, lies in the fact that the city has its own backup generation system – but it could not be brought online. Whether it be a generator, UPS, or other type of backup, without a plan and proper maintenance it cannot function properly when needed.

Read the full story about the Prince Edward Island blackout at CBCNews >>

The post PowerNews: Planned Power Outage has Unplanned Consequences appeared first on Minuteman UPS .

Newbie’s Nook: Part One

Fri, 17 Jan 2014 03:32:00 GMT

So as I learn, I want to share my journey with you guys!

Lastly, I want to include some fun facts about myself: I love to travel, I’ve lived in Texas my whole life, I’m a dog person through and through, although silly cat videos make my day!

If you haven’t already check out our Facebook , Twitter , and LinkedIn pages!

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PowerNews: Building Flood causes power outage in Milwaukee

Mon, 13 Jan 2014 03:28:00 GMT

A building flood in Milwaukee leaves 330 facing an unusual power outage.

This past Sunday in downtown Milwaukee, however, We Energies crews faced a slightly unusual power outage as an unexplained building flood left 330 customers in the surrounding area in the dark.

We Energies, the area’s utility provider, stated that the initial outage in the area was a direct result of the building flood, which was caused by a burst pipe in the 100+ year old building. They did not, however, know what had caused the pipe to fail.

The unknown cause of the pipe failure, along with the wide reach of the power problems it caused, present a valuable lesson for business owners – a building next door, down the street, or even across town can have a problem that can lead to a nightmare scenario at your place of business. That is, unless the right power protection plan is in place.

As many as 42 customers in the area remained without power into the evening – we can only hope their disaster plans included power protection equipment.

Read the full story and check out video of the flood at Milwaukee’s Fox 6 Now >>

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Video: The Basics of Power Protection

Thu, 19 Dec 2013 03:20:00 GMT

This edition of the Power Learning Series explains how to protect your equipment from power problems. Topics covered include the problems that can occur with utility power, which types of protection (surge protection and Uninterrutible Power Supplies or battery backup system) are needed for various applications, and the differences between each type of device

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