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Table of Contents

1. Brown-out ..... What is it?
2. What causes Brown-outs?
3. What are some common effects of Brown-outs?
4. What is "Deep Brown-out" operation
5. What relief is there for Brown-out problems?
6. Why use a Voltage Regulator with UPS for Brown-out Protection?

Brown-out .... What is it?

Brown-out is a condition of lower than normal power line voltage being supplied by your local utility or generating equipment. This condition may be short term (minutes to hours) or long term (1/2 day or more). A power line voltage reduction of 8 - 12% is usually considered a Brown-out.

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What causes Brown-outs?

Electric utilities (your local, lovable Power Company) may occassionally reduce line voltage to Brown-out levels in an effort to adequately manage power generation and distribution during periods of heavy usage. Very hot days, when most air conditioning and refrigeration equipment would be operating almost continuously, is an example of such a situation.

Even without utility intervention, extreme overloads caused by most air conditioning and refrigeration equipment operation could tax the electrical distribution system to the point where a permanent brown-out state could exist over much of the power company distribution network.

Locations at ends of long electric distribution lines may experience chronic Brown-out conditions due to line loss. Intermittent heavy loads on this trunk circuit may cause the Brown-out effect to fluctuate with the load.

Installations using ship-board or temporary power sources are especially prone to operation in a Brown-out mode. Usually of limited capacity, it is quite easy to overload the power source, giving rise to permanent Brown-out. (Permanent Black-out, if users are not careful)

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What are some common effects of Brown-outs?

Brown-outs are the mother of all sorts of Bad Stuff.

Power supplies in some electronic equipment may fall out of regulation. Errors, due to erratic power supply performance, may creep into computer operations.Other electronic equipment may function poorly - or not function at all.

Marginally performing devices (electronic or electric) will probably cease operation entirely.

Motors will overheat. Some motor types will slow down.

Electrical interference will greatly increase. Increased interference may affect computer and communication operations.

Off-line UPS units (the vast majority of lower cost units) continuously cycle between power line and internal battery operation. UPS batteries (generally sized to provide only 5 - 10 minutes back-up) will soon be discharged, unable to generate additional Back Up power. You are out of business. If system has not been shut-down, the entire system (UPS & computer) may snap back to life when power rises slightly, only to again shut down when the power line voltage falls back into the Brown-out zone. Such "ON-OFF" operational cycling is unhealthy for UPS, batteries and connected electronics. For Brown-out correction see our Voltage Regulator Page.

Spikes generated by electrical machinery also greatly increase. Air conditioners, refrigerators and other motorized devices generate local spikes. Industrial machinery (often miles away) create additional spikes which may find their way unto the electrical distribution system, and into your sensitive, valuable equipment.

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What is "Deep Brown-out" Operation?

Deep Brown-out operation is discussed in the UPS operation section.

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What relief is there for Brown-out problems?

Brown-out combat is mostly a case of planning ahead. Once the Brown-out is in progress, about all one can do is observe Brown-out effects.

It is safe to assume that most regions on this planet will experience Brown-out conditions several times per year - sone unlucky regions may suffer Brown-outs monthly or daily.

A minimum preventative measure is to ensure all critical electronic and computing equipment is adequately equipped with high performance interference filters and spike suppressors. We have found that adequate spike control and interference filtering often restores marginal computer operation to satisfactory performance even in Brown-out conditions. Communication equipment often benefits from heavy duty Filter-Suppressor Installation. See Heavy Duty Protection Systems  for general disucssion of  Protection Systems <>AC Protection Devices for information with  many models available <> Wire-in Protectors for Industrial Applications <>Hi-Current Protectors for heavy duty copiers and industrial applications <> Twist-Protect - Industrial Twist Lock connectors

Bonus !! Installation of High Performance Filter-Suppression will continuously protect your systems from being thrashed by Power Line Pollution, Interference and Spikes.

If you are unable to take minimum preventative measures to protect equipment from devastating Brown-out effects, the BEST advice we can offer is to shut down when a Brown-out appears.

Regulator-Isolator-Conditioner systems provide the best buffer against Brown-out devastation. Well designed units restore Brown-out voltage to optimum equipment operating voltage level deep into the Brown-out zone. Plus ... polluted incoming power will be isolated and conditioned to provide silky smooth system operation even in the most severe Brown-out zone. Check out complete information on our Regulator-Isolator-Conditioners

UPS systems have been touted as a Brown-out cure all. Unless you have an expensive, on-line, regulating UPS system, with at least 2 hours of guaranteed backup - you could be in for a shock. UPS systems are great - we use 'em - we recommend 'em; But, Brown-out cures they are not! Installation of an Electronic Specialists Regulator-Isolator-Conditioner system between UPS and wall socket will ensure smooth, trouble free operation deep into the Brown-out zone. More information on combined UPS / Regulator-Conditioner use can be found at: Brown-out Zone and Regulator / UPS

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Why use a Voltage Regulator with a UPS for Brown-out protection?

Use of a Voltage Regulator with UPS is discussed in UPS/Regulator section

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