Fault Tolerant Power Compliance Specification Version 1.2
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1. If either one of two AC power sources fails or is out-of-tolerance, the equipment must still be able to start-up or continue uninterrupted operation with no loss of data, reduction in hardware functionality, performance, capacity, or cooling.
2. After the return of either AC power source from a failed or out-of-tolerance condition during which acceptable power was continuously available from the other AC power source, the equipment will not require a powerdown, IPL, or human intervention to restore data, hardware functionality, performance, or capacity.
3. The first or second AC power source may fail ten seconds after the return of the first or second AC power source from a failed or out-of-tolerance condition with no loss of data, reduction in hardware functionality, performance, capacity, or cooling.
4. The two AC power sources can be out of synchronization with each having a different voltage, frequency, phase rotation, and phase angle as long as the power characteristics for each separate AC source remain within the range of the manufacturer’s published specifications and tolerances.
5. Both AC power inputs must terminate within the manufacturer’s equipment.
6. Internal or external active AC input switching devices (e.g. static transfer switches) are not acceptable.
7. A fault inside the manufacturer’s equipment which results in the failure of one AC power source shall not be transferred to the second AC power source causing it to also fail.
8. An internal Uninterruptible Power System (UPS) or internal power batteries (batteries for cache memory are acceptable) or other type of energy storage equivalent is allowable only for the purpose of a prompt, orderly shutdown. The existence and volt-ampere capacity of an internal UPS or batteries and the time required for a prompt orderly shutdown must be identified.
9. For single or three-phase power sources, with both AC power inputs available and with both inputs operating at approximately the same voltage, the normal load on each power source will be shared within 10% of the average.
10. For three-phase power source configurations, the normal load on each phase will be within 10% of the average.
11. An external software alarm must be provided via the equipment’s software or the host’s operating system that will indicate within sixty seconds when an AC power source fails or is outside the manufacturer’s published tolerances and when the abnormal condition is corrected.
12. The manufacturer will supply a written certification that the equipment meets or exceeds this specification for fault tolerant power compliance.
Effective: November 15, 2000
© 2000 The Uptime Institute’s Site Uptime Network
This Fault Tolerant Power Compliance Specification Version 1.2 has been established by the forty-eight members of The Uptime Institute’s Site Uptime Network®. The specification pertains to all computer and communication equipment critical to maintaining uninterrupted information availability. Be warned that many products claiming to be dual power compliant do not meet the performance requirements of Version 1.2.
Version 1.2 is current as of November 15, 2000 and will be effective through June 30, 2002 when it will be superseded by Version 2.0. During the period from November 15, 2000 to June 30, 2002, manufacturer products may be certified by the Institute as meeting either Version 1.2 or Version 2.0. After June 30, 2002, products will only be certified and listed if they meet Version 2.0.
The Uptime Institute tests products submitted by manufacturers to independently verify and certify conformance with the Fault Tolerant Power Compliance Specification. A listing of certified products is maintained at www.uptimeinstitute.org/cert.html.
The Fault Tolerant Power Compliance Specification may be quoted or reproduced in its entirety at no charge. The version number must be included and copyright credit given to The Uptime Institute’s Site Uptime Network® whenever the specification is quoted by reference or reproduced in its entirety.
Continuing updates to these specifications are expected as user requirements become better defined and as hardware manufacturers determine what dual power capabilities they can provide. For the most recent version, visit The Uptime Institute’s website at www.uptimeinstitute.org/spec.html, or contact the Institute by calling 505.986.3900. Use of the Fault-Tolerant Power Compliance Specification, Version 1.2 is made available at no charge to those companies desiring to make fault-tolerant power compliance part of their procurement process. The Institute exclusively reserves the right to certify equipment as meeting this specification.
