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Introduction
Sam4POS 6600/4800II Operators Manual v2.9
About Power Conditioning Equipment
Surge Protectors and Power Conditioners
Most people are familiar with surge protectors, which guard against damage due to sudden spikes in the
electrical current. A power conditioner provides protection against surges in power just as a surge
suppressor does, but a power conditioner also maintains a continuous voltage during temporary voltage
reductions, such as a brownout. This is referred to as conditioning. Power conditioners also can filter
EMI emanating from a power source and can smooth the rhythmic cycle of alternating current. While
surge protectors safeguard equipment, a power conditioner cleans the signal, eliminating interference on
the line.
CRS recommends the POWERVAR ABC065-11 (CRS P/N 701002), a 0.65-amp power
conditioner that is suitable for most Sam4POS applications. POWERVAR standard power
conditioners are for use with any microprocessor based electronic equipment. Thanks to their
low impedance isolation transformer, you can trust these conditioners to protect your
sensitive equipment from the biggest problems for today's computers.
Ground Guard Conditioners
POS systems consisting of workstations connected in an Ethernet network must have the same point of
reference, (i.e. common ground potential for all equipment in the system.) Unlike electronic loads,
traditional electrical loads such as motors, lights, heavy appliances, etc. use the equipment ground for
safety purposes only and do not rely on it for proper operation. Computer equipment, on the other hand,
introduces the equipment-grounding conductor as an active part of the power supply in referencing digital
logic. Therefore, networked POS systems require isolated/dedicated ground circuits to insure proper
operation.
CRS recommends POWERVAR ground guard conditioners for network applications. Only
the “Ground Guard” conditioner from POWERVAR can be used as an alternative to
isolated/dedicated ground circuits. Traditional power conditioners cannot be used as an
alternative as they do not address the ground issues over a network. The Ground Guard
conditioner must protect every piece of equipment in the POS system in order to operate
properly. POWERVAR Ground Guard power conditioners are available in sizes from 0.65 to 16 amps, to
protect single or multiple POS components.
Uninterruptible Power Supplies (UPS)
On sites where there is a known problem with temporary power outages or brownouts, battery back-up
devices should be installed. Most battery back-up devices are known as Uninterruptible Power Supplies
(UPS). When power to equipment is momentarily lost, the UPS devices draw power from an internal ‘gel
cell’ battery to keep the equipment operating. The length of time these devices power the POS
system is
dependent on the capacity of the internal batteries. Many sizes are available, but typically the units
installed on POS equipment keep the computers powered for about 20 minutes. This will give servers and
managers time to settle bills, print checks and power down the system in an orderly fashion.
CRS recommends POWERVAR Security One Series Uninterruptible Power Supplies, the
most advanced, line-interactive, true sine wave UPM products available for your application.
Each model is designed to provide total protection for your system from a complete range of
power quality problems. Security One Series Uninterruptible Power Supplies are available
with or without the patented Ground Guard conditioning circuitry.
