Several IDF racks were damaged after a power surge passed through inexpensive surge suppressors. I could not find a UL 1449 listing on those devices, and the equipment uses NEMA L5-20 connections. Are there reliable surge protection devices or UPS options with a NEMA L5-20P input and NEMA L5-20R output that would be suitable for protecting network racks?
3 Answers
A properly sized double-conversion UPS would provide much better protection than a basic plug-in suppressor, especially for network equipment. If the budget is truly limited, prioritize the most critical rack and consider shutting down or selling nonessential equipment to fund protection rather than replacing damaged hardware later.
This is really a budgeting and risk-management issue. Replacing equipment only after a failure usually costs far more than a planned replacement cycle and properly protected power. Document the risk and the cost of another outage so management can compare it with the price of a UPS and maintenance program.
The exact L5-20P-to-L5-20R format may be difficult to find in a standalone UL 1449 surge suppressor. Look at established power-protection manufacturers and verify the actual UL listing in the product documentation, not just marketing language. Also have an electrician check the branch circuit, grounding, and upstream protection, since a suppressor cannot compensate for a wiring or electrical-system problem.
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