Local steel manufacturer, Iscor, has purchased five Powerware UPSs for its Vanderbijlpark plant. Supplied by Meissner, these UPSs will ensure clean and continuous power to Iscor`s administration building as well as this node`s connection to the data network backbone infrastructure.
"The two Powerware 9170s ensure power supply to our backbone and connected devices with N+1 Redundancy, while the 9110s took care of the administration complex`s data distribution points," explains Miguel Ferreira, network architect at Iscor Vanderbijlpark.
Ferreira regards redundancy as a key design factor. "In N+1 redundancy, N represents the total load and +1 relates to an additional unit beyond what is required to power the total load. This allows us to take one unit down for service without compromising our backup system. Additionally, it allows one unit to fail during operation without affecting the load."
Given the circular structure of the backbone, communication breaks down when any of the nodes go down. The backbone has four different points of entry, with the main one situated at Iscor`s North works.
Ferreira explains that they are dependant on the backbone for all communications with their Pretoria head office. "The process systems within the Vanderbijlpark Steel Works communicate with the systems at Iscor Pretoria via the backbone, meaning that they would be cut off from crucial information and instructions should the backbone go down."
The same applies to Iscor Vanderbijlpark`s main building, where a total of 1 500 users would be affected as well as the company`s national and international operations.
According to Ferreira, electricity spikes are a common occurrence in the Vanderbijlpark area, highlighting Iscor`s need for surge protection plugs throughout its administration building. "Naturally the entire plant relies on the administrative duties that takes place here, although the plant and administration buildings run on different power supplies, administration forms an integral part of our work here."
"Computer and communication equipment does not tolerate any power problems. Even the slightest power surge could disrupt or damage systems, that is why it is crucial that organisations protect their power supply with the help of UPS units," comments Graham Beyleveld, sales director at local Powerware distributor, Meissner.
Ferreira says that Iscor has a long-standing relationship with Meissner. "Meissner has always offered us reliable local support, fair pricing and reliable products."
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