[geeks] Need refs for the clue-impaired on redundant PSUs

[Patrick Giagnocavo 717-201-3366]

On Wed, 2005-09-07 at 20:25, Michael Parson wrote:
> On Wed, Sep 07, 2005 at 08:03:45PM -0400, velociraptor wrote:
> > Anyone have any good references out there regarding how redundant PSUs
> > generally work?  I need something, preferrably from "experts," to give
> > to the clue-impaired.
> Or, head over to Fry's, or your other suitable electronics store and
> pick up a clamping ampmeter and a power cable you can cut up.  Carefully
> strip off the outer insulation so you've got the three internal (but
> still insulated) wires.  Replace one of the power-cords feeding one of
> the redundant power-supplies with this cable.  Clamp the meter around
> one (either the black or white) power leads and take a reading.  Remove
> the other power-supply (if you can do this hot) and watch what happens.

Actually, that is a great idea!  However, a simpler way is to buy 2 "Kill A Watt" meters.  You plug each one into a different socket, then plug the dual-UPS system plugs into the 2 meters.  You get a realtime view of amps or VA or whatever on the LCD readout.

--Patrick