In the 1970s, Bell Labs developed a set of standards for electrical equipment used in the Central Offices (COs) of Regional Bell Operating Companies (RBOCs). Known as Network Equipment-Building System (NEBS) standards, the standards gradually became the most trusted certification for electrical equipment in the telecommunications industry and beyond. Today, NEBS inverters are used in numerous environments under various operating conditions.
Selecting the Right Model
If you already know the type of inverter you need in terms of size (i.e., power surge rating and typical power rating), you can start the selection process by evaluating the different levels of NEBS certification, and identifying the one that best meets your needs. Independent laboratories test and certify NEBS inverters based on strict sets of criteria that determine how and where the devices should be used. There are three levels of certification: level 1, level 2, and level 3.
Level 1
Level 1 equipment meets the personnel and equipment safety requirements of GR-63-CORE and GR-1089-CORE. Because the emphasis of level 1 certification is the protection of people who work with the equipment, and the safety of the work environment in which the equipment is located, level 1 inverters are typically used for testing and not a final application.
Level 2
Level 2 equipment is designed to meet the operating conditions of a particular environment, such as a data center or a warehouse. Level 2 certification typically pertains to devices that are used in indoor environments that have few if any adverse operating conditions.
Level 3
Level 3 equipment meets all the requirements of GR-63-CORE and GR-1089-CORE. It is designed to withstand numerous adverse operating conditions, such as humidity, vibration, airborne contaminants, and unusual temperatures, to name a few. Due to their hardiness, level 3 inverters are the most commonly used type of NEBS inverters.
Need help choosing an inverter?
If so, Exeltech will help you select the right equipment for your needs. For years, we have supplied companies and organizations around the globe with NEBS certified inverters for a variety of applications. If you need help choosing the right inverter in terms of size, NEBS certification, or other criteria, our specialists are just a phone call or email away. To learn more about our products and services, contact us today at (800) 886-4683, or click here to use our contact form.