During a storm the hotel suffered a direct lightning strike, not just a close one, but a direct hit. The results were disastrous to the electronic equipment, compressors, kitchen equipment, electric reader board signs, and numerous other items that were either damaged or completely destroyed.

Prior to the storm the hotels’ management felt that adequate protection was in place but the severity of the strike was just too much to overcome. This example may be a severe case, but protecting against surges and strikes can be cost effectively achieved.

A power surge is a jump in voltage over the normal range of 120 volts (the excess is called transient voltage). Voltage is the force that carries the current from one end of a circuit to another. If an increase in voltage lasts 3 nanoseconds or more it is called a surge. Less than 3 nanoseconds is considered a spike. Either one can damage equipment.

While most think of lightning as the biggest cause of damage, when actually high power electrical devices, such a refrigeration equipment cause many more surges than lightning. Other causes of surges can include downed power lines, faulty wiring inside the building and problems along the electrical grid. Protection for a hotel, residence or any other building begins with surge protectors.

A basic surge protector like a power strip consists of components that divert excess electricity or neutralize it. Another type of surge protector uses a gas discharge arrestor. This is a glass tube that becomes a good conductor when excess power needs to be discharged to ground. Both of these protectors are priced between $10-15.

Spending a bit more money(between $20 and $25) can result in a better quality surge protector with features such as site wiring fault warning light, protection status light and more advanced electronics installed inside the strip. 

A good power strip can give basic protection but additional equipment is needed to provide adequate coverage. A surge station can be purchased for each important computer and server in the hotel. These devices sit on the floor near the computer and offer line conditioning for telephones and faxes.

Uninterrupted power supplies (UPS) are a must item for servers and other shared devices, as well crucial Internet connections and devices affecting guest service. UPS ratings and models can be confusing. There is the voltage/amperage rating that indicates the capacity the device is able of handling in terms of electrical voltage.  An example is two devices with 120 volts and 1 amp each would require a v/a rating about 120. Some newer models have outlets that provide both power backup and surge protection.

Underwriters Laboratories is a non profit independent organization that tests and rates numerous electronic and electrical products. It is important that a surge device is listed as a transient voltage surge suppressor which carries the numbers UL 1449.  There are also voltage to ground ratings, the smaller the better because less voltage is allowed to the connected device during a surge.

There are surge protection devices that can be installed directly into an electrical panel or breaker boxes.  In home environments, this could be adequate protection but in a hotel, where numerous panels exist, it might not be effective.

Geoff Griswold is a field engineer and general manager of the Omni Group, an IT services company specializing in the hospitality industry. He can be reached at (678) 464-2427 or geoff@atlantaomnigroup.com.

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