The Emergency Standby Power System (ESPS) is designed to provide electricity when normal utility power fails. Lights, office equipment, and home appliances can all be powered with the ESPS. Due to their sensitive nature, computers require the additional protection of an uninterruptible power source.

The components for the ESPS are a special combination inverter/charger*, a battery bank, and related safety equipment. Under normal circumstances, utility power is connected to the inverter/charger to charge the batteries and also to power the loads. When the utility power fails, the inverter/charger automatically takes stored power from the batteries, converts it to 120 volts AC, and supplies it to the loads. In this way the loads continue to operate at all times.

The size of the inverter/charger and battery bank is determined by the loads to be run and the duration that the loads will be expected to operate in the event of an outage. The total connected load to be powered (expressed in watts) determines the size of the inverter/charger that is required. The amount of time that backup power is expected to be needed determines the capacity of the batteries. The larger the battery set, the longer the loads will operate during an outage. The overall size of an ESPS system is limited only by budgetary constraints.

Other components necessary to install the ESPS are the proper size cables to connect the batteries, cables to connect the batteries to the inverter/charger, DC rated circuit breaker for the battery to inverter/charger cables, and a box for the batteries. 120 volt AC wiring is required to connect the inverter/charger into the existing home or office wiring system.

* The inverter changes DC (direct current ) into AC (alternating current), the charger changes AC to DC.

Standby power is usually reserved for hours, maybe days of backup electricity, and found in international applications which are more urban, than rural.

Benefits of a Trace Inverter in a standby power application
So, what can be gained from a standby power system enhanced with a Trace Engineering inverter?

• Inverters are incredibly quiet. Nighttime operations become routine, rather than an inconvenience.
• You're your own power company. There is no need to conform your work schedule around utility power availability!
• Trace inverters are ready to use, right out of the box.
• All Trace inverters include an automatic transfer switch. (This allows automatic switching between the inverter, generator or utility and battery bank).
• Trace inverters provide two and one-half to three times their rated continuous output for large startup loads.
• Our inverters sense when there is no power consumption and switch to Search mode, which requires almost no power.

Inverters vs Generators
Inverters and generators complement each other very well. However, generators have some limitations which should be addressed.

• Generators are extremely noisy.
• Generators are not designed for small loads. Low-level running causes excessive carbon build-up on valves, which will shorten your generator's life.
• Inverters can provide the same power as most generators. Imagine the savings on fuel, fuel storage and generator wear!
• Digital technology practically eliminates mechanical parts-- so routine maintenance is not required.
• Generators use almost as much fuel for light duty as they do for heavy duty. Trace inverters require no fuel at all, operating for pennies on the hour.
• Obtaining replacement parts for generators can be extremely difficult. Inverters are built from solid state circuitry-- which means no moving parts.

Adequately charging a battery bank should not be a concern, as Trace Engineering's state-of-the-art three-stage battery charger-- when powered by grid--will amply charge your battery bank. Solar, wind, hydro and generators are also common charging appliances.

One more note on batteries deals with "type" of battery required: Deep cycle batteries are made with thick plate construction and are designed for repeated, long, continuous, deep discharge cycles encountered in alternative energy or standby power use. Deep cycle batteries are rated in either "minutes reserve capacity" or "amp-hours capacity," (usually over a 20 hour period.) Both sealed and flooded lead acid batteries work equally well. And, whereas sealed batteries are more expensive, they are basically maintenance free. Lead acid batteries, on the other hand, require monthly maintenance, but are lower in cost.

Automotive starting batteries are not recommended. Starting batteries are designed strictly to provide the brief, very high current output required to crank engines, and are unsuitable for repeated, long or deep discharge cycles. Starting batteries are rated in "cold cranking amps," with a 30 second maximum output rating.

All ESPS are capable of being solar assisted or even totally solar powered. All ESPS are supplied with complete wiring diagrams and full installation instructions.

If you are located in Hawai`i and would like more information about ESPS systems, contact EMS