Device to notify us the power has gone down?

[FN-GM]

Hi,

 

We have a backup generator to power the server room in the event the power goes now. Its semi regular here for some reason. Power went off today and yesterday for a good amount of time. The issue is the feed to the school itself.

 

Anyway our generator holds 24hr of fuel. If the power goes down at weekend and we dont know, the generator will run out of diesel.

 

I am looking for a device i can plug in to a socket not supported by the generator that will send a text message, phone call or email if power to the device is dropped. Does anyone know anything please?

 

Thanks

[mjs_mjs]

you could knock something up with Arduino that would tell you if it's running off mains, ups or backup genset quite easily.

[plexer]

GSM Mains Power Monitoring Unit & Device Remote Control Interface Two-Way Radio - Delcom

 

Ben

[FN-GM]

@mjs_mjs The actual devices have no idea if they are running off a generator or not. A far as powering the room its just acts like the usual supply of power. For example it powers the lights and aircon in the room.

 

Just to add a point if we can avoid something that uses 3G if we can. A standard SIM card shouldn't be an issue, the device will be able to get an internet via eithernet if the power does go off.

 

@plexer suggestion is the kind of thing we want.

 

Thanks

Edited December 18, 2012 by FN-GM

[plexer]

Mains power failure alarms

 

Ben

[FN-GM]

Ah sorry also if we can avoid something that uses a phone line (long story). A sim card would be ok.

 

Thanks

[glennda]

Does the UPS not support it on battery for X amount of time before the generator kicks in? Could that not tell you when it starts to run off batteries?

[MYK-IT]

UPS Monitoring software configured to email you as soon as it kicks in (although this would tell you last minute, as by this time the mains and backup generator would have failed).

 

Acces website (or any remote sevice) if it fails you have no power

[glennda]

Ah sorry also if we can avoid something that uses a phone line (long story). A sim card would be ok.

 

Thanks

 

the second on the page linked is gsm

[FN-GM]

The UPS is part of the generator. All it simply does is keep the room on for 2 mins until the generator starts. The servers have no idea its on the UPS. Edited December 18, 2012 by FN-GM

[glennda]

The UPS is part of the generator. All it simply does is keep the room on for 2 mins until the generator starts. The servers have no idea its on the UPS

 

yes but surely the UPS does? Does it not have any kind of monitoring built in? Like the APC ones do as soon as they flick onto Battery?

[FN-GM]

yes but surely the UPS does? Does it not have any kind of monitoring built in? Like the APC ones do as soon as they flick onto Battery?

 

Nothing like that, first thing i checked. I wouldn't be asking otherwise.

[glennda]

Nothing like that, first thing i checked. I wouldn't be asking otherwise.

 

Then @plexer 's idea with the second one he linked too, just make sure you have a cheap pay monthly Sim card so you don't run out of credit!!

[FN-GM]

Seen it already its ideal, just want other peoples input etc. The sim will be on contract so that wont be an issue.

 

Thanks

[glennda]

Seen it already its ideal, just want other peoples input etc. The sim will be on contract so that wont be an issue.

 

Thanks

 

One of my clients has one of these - SNMP Power Failure Sensor for Data Centers

 

but doesn't use it for the power failure part more the temperature as they have air con problems every now and then.

[m25man]

This is what you need Powertxt

You can't use a 3 sim as this is GSM not 3G but it will SMS you when the power goes off/on and you can use it to turn off on whatever passes thru it by text as well.

I have one and it does exactly what it says on the tin.

[plexer]

Which is on the page I linked to but good to hear from someone that has used one.

 

Ben

[plexer]

Same device better price.

 

TekView IRPS1363 is a wireless GSM remote control power switch operated via SMS

 

Ben