Also, I would like to stress that I have a "definite feeling" that the
hardware failures were caused by problems with the line and not with the
manifacturing of the hardware itself. I am saying this because I realize
that my original posting could be read as a criticism toward
Bruker-Spectrospin service dept, while they have always been very helpful
and prompt in supporting us.
Thanks again to you all.
Stefano Caldarelli
=========summary===========================================
From: awo@helix.nih.gov (Alan Olson)
Stefano -
I don't know what's available in Europe, but here we use a power line
stabilizer/conditioner from a company called Topaz. Check them out at:
www.as400.com/TRADESHOW/power/epetopaz.htm
We have our MSL300 on a Topaz 61605-02. Probably be different in Europe.
We also make use of one from Control Power Co, from Troy, Michigan, their
series 700.
To really monitor the power line for conditions that would cause
equipment failures, you need a power line monitor such as we use from a
company called Dranitz. These are rather sophisticated devices which can
record isolated, very fast spikes as well as slower surges and dips on the
power line, over several hours or days.
The next step after a powerline conditioner is an uninterruptable power
supply (UPS), but you probably cannot justify one for the cost.
Good Luck.
====== ========= ======== =========
From: bray@indyvax.iupui.edu (Bruce D. Ray)
I've not experienced such happenings since I put in transient
supression here.
I presume that you have complete surge supression and EMI
filtration on all power, ground, and neutral lines. If not, then
what you are experiencing could be a consequence of nanosecond
duration power surges. A voltage stabilizer would feed these
through unattenuated by capacitive coupling since a voltage
stabilizer does not react fast enough to stop these ultra-short
duration fluctuations.
Power for my own systems goes through Corcom 30VB6 EMI/RFI
filters and a set of MOV shunts {V151BA60 for the 120Vpower
and V251BA60 for 220V power}. GE has a very nice manual,
__Transient Voltage Suppresion__ with specifications and
instructions on how to wire these in for your particular power
grid situation.
HTH
====== ========= ======== =========
From: g-sukenick@ski.mskcc.org (George D. Sukenick)
If you suspect power line problems,
a UPS should help.
We have a Deltec 6.2 kVA UPS (higher capacity than
actually needed; front panel shows we're running less than 1/2
capacity, but we wanted the capability of plugging more things
in the future)
This solution is pricey at about US $4k. A lower capacity
UPS should work and costs less.
Other companies make UPS's, such as Liebert, Best, etc.
If you're interested in this solution, I'd be glad to provide more details.
Otherwise, you might monitor the DC voltage supplies,
and check the air filters. If you have the "piano" (I
call it "Star Trek") console, there is a filter or two behind
the panels which are easy to forget about.
Hows the temp stability of the room?
I start crossing my fingers when the temp. goes above 80F.
====== ========= ======== =========
From: handel@paradise1.berkeley.edu (Tracy M. Handel)
I have had a greater series of "accidents" but it is
because of problems with the DMX. These seem to have been solved with new
boards etc. However, I would have been very concerned that they were caused
by voltage instabilities had it not been for my UPS. I bought one from a
company called BEST in Michigan. I got a 7Kva for about $7k. You might be
able to use a smaller one--I think I am running around 30% capacity. The
other company I know of is TOPAZ but based on experience, the best systems
are more reliable.
====== ========= ======== =========
From: Norbert.Muller@unimed.sintef.no (Norbert Mueller)
Hi Stefano,
I guess what you would need is a very high quality UPS. The problem with
any cheapo devices is that they usually do not output pure sine waves,
which in the context of NMR gives rise to all sorts of spikes, sidebands,
coherent noise....
Be sure to test the device you get before you pay for it.
Best wishes
Salut
Norbert
====== ========= ======== =========
From: Herbert Rudmann <rud@bruker.de>
Dear Mr. Caldarelli,
we recommend an uninterruptible power supply UPS or a Power stabilizer from
the company Schneider:
SCHNEIDER J.
ELEKTROTECHNIK GMBH Phone# 0781/206-0
HELMHOLTZSTR. 13 Fax# 0781/206-71
77613 OFFENBURG
GERMANY
The UPS can be Type DELTA with one or three phases, 50 or 60 Hz and 4 or 6 kVA
power with byepass and batterie power for 15 minutes.
Best regards
Rudmann
====================================================
Stefano Caldarelli
Section de Chimie de l'Universite'
BCH-Dorigny Tel: ++41 21 692 3802
CH-1015 Lausanne Fax: ++41 21 692 3855
====================================================