4 Power Considerations

Requirements

AC Power

Proper installation of the AC power and grounding system is essential to minimize voltage spikes and potential damage to the network system. If proper grounding is not possible, an additional power conditioner may be required to meet safety requirements.

See the Oracle MICROS Hardware Site Preparation Guide for information on AC power requirements.

Power over Ethernet (PoE)

Network hardware such as access points can benefit from PoE.

Important:

By protecting a PoE switch with battery backup and line conditioning, all devices connected to the switch via PoE receive the same protection. This is especially important for wireless access point infrastructure.

PoE cabling should be selected according to the bandwidth requirements of the equipment. Ethernet cabling used with PoE is subject to the same distance limitations as in standard networking applications.

Table 4-1 PoE Power Standards

Type IEEE Standard Power Per Device
1 802.3af 15.4 Watts
2 802.3at 30.8 Watts
3 802.3bt 60 Watts
4 802.3bt 90-95 Watts

PoE can reduce the need to install electrical cables and outlets for networked devices in the POS environment.

The following devices may benefit from PoE:
  • Network switches
  • Wireless access points
  • Credit card terminals
  • CCTV devices
  • RFID readers
  • Smart devices

Parent topic: Power Considerations

Power Conditioning

Because electrical installations are susceptible to power surges and voltage spikes, it may be necessary to use a power conditioner. A power conditioner monitors and regulates electrical power, ensuring clean power is delivered to connected equipment. Power conditioning protects electronic and electrical devices from electrical damage.

Vendors can implement various protective solutions and hardware, depending on the property's needs and size. Like all electrical devices, POS systems are also prone to hardware failures when operating in unprotected environments. POS system hardware benefits from protection, as it can prevent frequent hardware failures and reduce repair costs. Hardware failures caused by electrical spikes can disrupt business operations and lead to financial losses. Therefore, installing protective hardware is recommended.

All electronic and electrical network devices require power protection if their operating environment is prone to electrical spikes and surges.

Oracle POS systems require Oracle MICROS-approved power conditioning and uninterruptible power supplies (UPS). Oracle MICROS-approved power conditioners used to protect POS and network devices must be able to isolate all adverse electrical events generated by other equipment. A power conditioner includes a low-impedance isolation transformer to protect equipment from common-mode voltage, which can cause issues such as equipment lockups and data loss.

See the Oracle MICROS Hardware Site Preparation Guide for more information on power conditioners.

Parent topic: Power Considerations

Surge Protectors

Surge protectors offer some protection against transient power spikes but do not provide complete protection. For full protection, it is recommended to use a UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply) or a power conditioner. Surge protectors are not recommended for use with networking or point-of-sale (POS) equipment.

Parent topic: Power Considerations

Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS)

A UPS provides emergency power during utility outages, delivering immediate backup to computers. With management software, it can also perform a clean shutdown to prevent damage to hardware and software.

UPS devices are available in desktop, tower, or rack-mount models, with the choice depending on site-specific requirements.

The UPS provides the following:
  • Battery backup
  • Protection from surges
  • Protection from brownouts
  • Protection from voltage spikes
  • Protection from electromagnetic interference

Parent topic: Power Considerations