Complete Electrical Service Circuit Evaluation

Communications Centers are a critical link between the public we serve and the Emergency Services organizations that respond to emergency and non-emergency calls for service.  Modern communications equipment increasingly is dependent on computer-based servers and other highly sensitive digital equipment.  Constant and conditioned power supply to this equipment is imperative to insure dependent, redundant operation.  Commercial and in-house power supply such as generators and UPS (uninterrupted power supply) can vary greatly in voltage and amperage depending on current demand loads placed on each circuit and the electrical system as a whole.  These variations can cause damage to sensitive equipment and result in un-reliable or unusable communications equipment.

During the recent survey of your facility it was noted that critical communications equipment is being powered by several different electrical sources or panels.  Also, these circuits are being shared with other equipment that may demand more constant voltage or startup/peak voltage which may interfere with the constant voltage needed for critical equipment.

We recommend your organization have all electrical systems tied to communications equipment be evaluated by a qualified electrical engineer or qualified/licensed electrician to verify that proper voltage is in fact being supplied to the circuits.  Furthermore, the use of several branch circuits from different sources is discouraged.

Evaluation Example should include but not be limited to the following:

• Are all metal, non-current carrying components of sensitive electrical equipment bonded to the building grounding system.
• Are racks, consoles, cable trays/raceways and similar metal components connected to sensitive electrical equipment bonded to the grounding system?
• Is equipment with a heavy current load demand at start up or during cycles on a separate branch circuit? (E.g. HVAC units, copiers, refrigerators and deep cycles charging devices.)
• Are PCs, ADP equipment and similar “fixed “electrical equipment on a separate feeder or branch circuit?
• Have electrical outlets for sensitive electrical equipment been evaluated for proper wiring, power quality and ground quality.

Additional information and resources may be found in NFPA 1221 “Standard for the Installation, Maintenance and Use of Emergency Communications Systems “ or the local or state building inspections office.

Available Resources

• NFPA 1221 Standard for the Installation Maintenance and Use of Comm Systems