News

New from Bryant Broadcast - the mains distribution unit with the 24/7 embedded engineer (20/7/2004)

Arguably the most advanced piece of 19" rack mountable kit for distributing mains power to equipment across the studio, A/V, Home Theatre and IT networking arenas.

Bryant have responded to a burgeoning client 'wish list' of functionality by developing an addressable mains distribution unit with a high-level programming language that enables simple but totally flexible stand-alone control. Based upon their tried and proven SMU models this unit will switch any combination of twelve mains outlets and utilises 'over rated' components throughout for high reliability.

Designed for sequential start-up of equipment with large inrush currents like video screens, video walls, servers, etc. or for remote control of equipment, the unit's micro controller can be programmed from the user's PC using the supplied software or Bryant's publicly available serial protocol. The unit then stores instructions internally and can work autonomously. Once activated it runs through its list of stored switching commands, however, the active program can be over-ridden to respond to events ~ such as inputs from one of the two GPIs, reporting mains failure or other external serial commands. The GPIs can also be set not just to receive, but to send signals to allow for example cascade control of additional units, etc.

Apart from programming the units, the Bryant supplied software enables real-time, remote control and status monitoring of a unit. Using the optional multi-unit control software package or indeed, an existing automation control system (e.g. CollediaTM, Pharos), a maximum of 255 of these units per serial bus can be accommodated with a status update time of 20ms/unit.

Users can programme/change the start-up sequence of the outlets; change each individual inter-relay timing in a range from 0.1 seconds to 6300 seconds, with the option to skip delays if the outlet is already in the required state. Using one of the inbuilt GPI inputs the user can also set a fully configurable 'power-down' sequence with a totally different set of sequencing and timing parameters to those at start-up.

Using the macro programming language, the functionality is such that the unit can be connected to a UPS mains-failure relay to instigate a predefined shutdown of non-critical equipment across the battery life of the UPS. Then, once triggered by the UPS 'low battery' relay it can 'load dump' leaving only highly critical kit in operation: once the generator or mains power returns the unit can trigger it's original start sequence, or different sequences as required to bring all of the kit back on line.

The units are supplied with software enabling them to communicate using RS 422/485, which is faster, more reliable and more secure than IP and which enables programming on a one-to-one basis. A multi-unit control software package is also available as a cost option, as is an Ethernet/Serial bridge to facilitate connection over an IP network."

www.bryant-broadcast.co.uk