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Issue link: https://securitysales.epubxp.com/i/166764
PHOTO: ©ISTOCKPHOTO.COM WER a store or someone enters a public building, the presumption is that the facility is safe and secure. Tere is also an assumption that the security system is performing properly. When a security system goes down, liability and safety issues are magnifed, and this opens up the door for litigation against a business or campus that is not properly protected. So let's take a closer look at the options available to the installing security integrator to ensure better system reliability, greater customer safety and satisfaction, as well as additional revenues. WEIGHING REQUIREMENTS VS. BUDGET A wide variety of power protection products are available today, ranging from inexpensive surge protectors to very large three-phase uninterruptible power supplies (UPS). For the security reseller or integrator, the most important consideration is matching up the customer's needs and requirements with what makes sense from a budgetary standpoint. For highly mission-critical equipment and applications, the So much attention is directed at devices and systems and yet the very lifeblood fowing through them to keep them operational — steady and clean electricity — is often overlooked or taken for granted. Power protection is critical to assure protection of people, facilities and assets. Find out why and how. By Bill Allen sky may be the limit in terms of what power protection solutions are appropriate and necessary, but for the small- to medium-sized business owner, cost is usually an important issue. Te job of the security reseller or integrator is to ensure the customer's security system has the appropriate level of protection that is matched with what makes sense for their budget. As we all know, power is not readily available 24/7/365. Even when it is available, there are potential problems such as surges and spikes that can be devastating to electronic equipment. Despite the fact that we all know power problems do occur, there are still many businesses and consumers who don't see the importance of protecting equipment from power anomalies. And perhaps even worse, there are dealers and installers that don't include power protection for all critical components of a security system. Tose dealers and installers are doing their customers a great disservice, while also potentially leaving money on the table by not selling the many benefts of complete power protection solutions. EVALUATING POWER PROTECTION SOLUTIONS When it comes to protecting noncritical equipment, AC power surge protectors will sufce. Surge protectors are like anything else, in that, you get what you pay for. A six-outlet device with a Joules rating of 300 and cost of $5 will provide very minimal protection, but it is not recommended these be used in a commercial system. Look for an AC surge protector that has more than 1,000 Joules rating; and obviously the higher the Joules rating, the better. Also, always install a SEPTEMBER 2013 / SECURITYSALES.COM / 135