By: Dave Perrotta, vice president of operations and engineering, ESP/SurgeX

Dave Perrotta headshotDave Perrotta is the VP of Operations and Engineering for Electronic Systems Protection, Inc (ESP/ SurgeX). For over a decade, he’s been involved with engineering patented power protection diagnostics and energy management solutions for the imaging, AV digital signage and IT industries. Perrotta has an extensive background in operations and engineering management, has a Bachelors of Science in Electrical Engineering from Worchester Polytechnic Institute, a Masters in Business Administration from Baker College, is an active IEEE member, and is SPHR certified.

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  • Why is remote access to power data important and what are the benefits?
    • The biggest reason remote access to power data is important, is it allows instant identification of a power-related event that is causing issues. The ability to identify and troubleshoot a power-related problem at any time, from any location, before it causes serious damage is a benefit that wouldn’t be possible without the ESP/SurgeX Remote Portal.

How can remote power management and monitoring increase profitability?

  • It’s really about addition by subtraction. Many equipment problems come back as “problem not found” because they’re actually power related. By using remote access these problems can be diagnosed remotely, eliminating the need for time consuming and costly repeat service calls.
  • What features are needed for remote power monitoring?
    • The ability to monitor and measure power conditions and usage in real time are the fundamental features you should look for in a remote power management solution. The ability to identify when conditions are perilous and measure data such as neutral to ground voltage, crest factor, power factor and line frequency metrics are important. In addition, the ability to reboot/recycle power is extremely helpful. The ESP/SurgeX Remote Portal does all of this and solves more complicated power issues as well. 
  • How can remote power management help reduce equipment damage and downtime?
    • The vast majority of power related disturbances originate from within a building’s own internal power grid, not from lightning or outside forces. All the printers, copiers, computer servers, air conditioners and other electronics cycling on and off all day send power transients throughout the building, which slowly deteriorates the performance of all unprotected equipment. There are also threats from wiring faults and electrical infrastructure that can go undetected. In fact, we recently had a customer who burned through six different flat panel displays because a wiring fault was sending a constant overvoltage through the ground. It wasn’t detected until we connected it to one of our diagnostic devices at which point it only took a simple $7 hardware fix. The ESP/SurgeX Remote Portal identifies problems immediately, before serious damage or downtime can occur. It also connects to the industry’s most advanced surge protection technology, which offers the best line of defense against power-related issues.
  • Where are the best applications to install IP diagnostics tools? Why?

There really is no best application since almost every organization depends on servers, imaging devices, and other powered office equipment to some degree. Whether you’re selling, using or installing, there’s a reason to consider. At the very least, IP diagnostics tools should be connected to critical equipment that can significantly reduce organizational workflow and productivity when it fails. Think of a retail store with the cash register down, or a print company that can’t communicate with its printers, or anyone without the Internet or email. It can be devastating to the bottom line, and that’s not even accounting for the potential cost of replacement hardware

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