Running computers 24 hours a day
Discussion
I used to work for a software house and we were based in a a very old rectory building. We ran all of our PC's as well as Unix servers, modems, UPS and all of the other paraphernalia we needed straight off the normal ring main withoug a problem so I think your 2 small servers will be just fine.
I've just gor one of those gadgets that shows you how much electricity you're currently using. Feck me the microwave and shower don't half make the numbers jump up compared to the computer equipment or anything else in the house.
I've just gor one of those gadgets that shows you how much electricity you're currently using. Feck me the microwave and shower don't half make the numbers jump up compared to the computer equipment or anything else in the house.
If you're doing it on the cheap and have one lying around, you can substitute a laptop for a PC + UPS.
Computers draw relatively little power (equivalent to a couple of lightbulbs), so you can leave them on without heavily loading your mains.
Running costs are:
Guess at 200 watts for PC + router
In 24 hours = 200 * 24 = 4.8kWh
In 1 year = 4.8 * 365 = 1752 kWh
At 11p/kWh (your electricity tariff may be more or less) = £193
Note that your particular set up might draw twice as much or half as much as that - this is just an illustration using fair guesses. If you're buying new kit to do the job, take care to pick stuff that's energy efficient.
Edited to add: you can get a energy meter from Maplins for about £20 that you can use to measure how much power your equipment is actually drawing.
Computers draw relatively little power (equivalent to a couple of lightbulbs), so you can leave them on without heavily loading your mains.
Running costs are:
Guess at 200 watts for PC + router
In 24 hours = 200 * 24 = 4.8kWh
In 1 year = 4.8 * 365 = 1752 kWh
At 11p/kWh (your electricity tariff may be more or less) = £193
Note that your particular set up might draw twice as much or half as much as that - this is just an illustration using fair guesses. If you're buying new kit to do the job, take care to pick stuff that's energy efficient.
Edited to add: you can get a energy meter from Maplins for about £20 that you can use to measure how much power your equipment is actually drawing.
Edited by Tuna on Thursday 24th September 15:08
Another vote for a UPS. As I've had to upgrade from old school fuses/nails to fancy RCD's any slighest wiff of a fault and bang, the whole ring dies. In fact the beeping from the UPS is a handy reminder!
And DONT bother with a feed for it - I've seen entire 42U racks running of a double socket on the wall (not that I would reccomend it mind you)
Leave the screens switched off and select low power equipment - not the fastest most powerful server as they chug the power.
And DONT bother with a feed for it - I've seen entire 42U racks running of a double socket on the wall (not that I would reccomend it mind you)
Leave the screens switched off and select low power equipment - not the fastest most powerful server as they chug the power.
Arese said:
eps said:
Busamav said:
P924 said:
. I would recommend a UPS though (as has been said). .
another vote for a ups, only be about £60 for 5 minutes or so of safetyPeeps are advising UPS but so far I have not seen the OP suggesting that anything he is doing is critical.
How long will a UPS hold up two PCs? Not too long I suspect so you have to be nearby to panic save anything before the system goes down.
In a business with IT support then this is fine but for home use needs a fair bit of justification.
Steve
How long will a UPS hold up two PCs? Not too long I suspect so you have to be nearby to panic save anything before the system goes down.
In a business with IT support then this is fine but for home use needs a fair bit of justification.
Steve
Steve_D said:
Peeps are advising UPS but so far I have not seen the OP suggesting that anything he is doing is critical.
How long will a UPS hold up two PCs? Not too long I suspect so you have to be nearby to panic save anything before the system goes down.
In a business with IT support then this is fine but for home use needs a fair bit of justification.
Steve
Any remotely half decent UPS will trigger a controlled system shutdown.How long will a UPS hold up two PCs? Not too long I suspect so you have to be nearby to panic save anything before the system goes down.
In a business with IT support then this is fine but for home use needs a fair bit of justification.
Steve
Steve_D said:
Peeps are advising UPS but so far I have not seen the OP suggesting that anything he is doing is critical.
How long will a UPS hold up two PCs? Not too long I suspect so you have to be nearby to panic save anything before the system goes down.
In a business with IT support then this is fine but for home use needs a fair bit of justification.
Steve
As UpTheIron says, APC UPS' come with Powerchute software which will initiate a clean shutdown when power is low. Is that enough justification? How long will a UPS hold up two PCs? Not too long I suspect so you have to be nearby to panic save anything before the system goes down.
In a business with IT support then this is fine but for home use needs a fair bit of justification.
Steve
Also a UPS will protect against short duration drop-outs which is often the cause of bigger problems like PSU failures and hard disc crashes.
I run all our workstations and servers 24/7 but turn off monitors at night. Like engines, a cold start-up is usually the time when most wear occurs and failures can happen.
I run all our workstations and servers 24/7 but turn off monitors at night. Like engines, a cold start-up is usually the time when most wear occurs and failures can happen.
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