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Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the difference between a brownout and a voltage sag?
The difference between a brownout and a voltage sag is duration of the event. Anything under 5 half cycles is generally considered a voltage sag and anything over is considered a brownout. Note: there is not a standard definition for the difference between a brown out and a voltage sag in the power industry.
2. Are Innovolt products UL approved?
Yes. All Innovolt products are UL 1449 3rd edition approved Surge Protection Devices (SPD).
3. Can I change the plug on a 20A device so it can plug into a 15A outlet?
It is not advisable. Our 20A products have a type of receptacle that allows 20A devices to be plugged in to it making it possible for a 20A device to be plugged into 15A service. The 15A breaker would probably trip daily as most OEM specified devices, such as MFPs, usually work at the top end of their ratings. Many 20A devices pull a consistent 18+ A. A quick hit of over 15A would not trip the 15A breaker, but a solid 18A would definitely trip. If the breaker were to malfunction and not trip, the 15A rated ROMEX in the wall would heat up under the 20A load posing a fire hazard.
4. Why do voltage sags occur more frequently than any other Power Grid Disturbance?
Voltage sags occur more often because they are a secondary result of other disturbances and they are broadcast over a larger area. When a fault (short between any two phases of the transmission lines) occurs, a power outage in the general vicinity of the fault is produced. The entire grid tries to feed the fault and the voltage level of a much larger area of the grid is pulled down. A voltage sag can last as long as the fault is in place. The fault is cleared either by self-destructing (burning itself out), or by the grid isolating the fault using its relay network. A fault might cause a power outage in an area within 1 or 2 miles of the fault and it may also cause a voltage sag within 20 or 30 miles of the fault.
5. Are current inrushes a result of the Power Grid “pushing” too much current into my equipment?
No. Current cannot be pushed by the grid into your equipment. Power is provided by the grid and it has the capacity to provide a lot of current. Current inrushes are a result of the equipment trying to rebound from a voltage sag. When the sag occurs, capacitors inside your equipment are discharged. When the voltage is returned to normal levels, the capacitors draw in current to recharge. This is called a current inrush which can reach levels 5 to 10 times higher than the normal current draw.
6. Can the disturbance totals be reset on your products?
The number of occurrences is NOT resettable. You can either manually record the number of disturbances on a regular basis, or use the Power Doctor II to read the data and keep track of it on your PC. These tools allow you to determine disturbance totals that occurred between two dates. Overall disturbance totals are not resettable so that a permanent record of disturbances encountered is preserved.
7. Can Innovolt products be used with UPS devices?
Yes. Some UPS systems do not provide over voltage protection which can not only harm your connected equipment, but the UPS itself. In addition, some UPS systems are not fast enough to prevent a voltage sag from being seen by the connected equipment. An Innovolt device placed before the UPS protects against the current inrush that result from the voltage sag.
