dunlap@bombadl.SGI.COM (D. Christopher Dunlap) (10/28/88)
In ASDBT (Advanced Systems Division Business Team) yesterday, we were talking about a project that we're trying to prioritize, and decided that we'd ask the net about it. It is possible for us to make the 4D/xx and 4D/xxGT systems (but NOT the Power series) run out of a regular 15Amp circuit. This would save everyone from having to get special 20Amp outlets installed for their workstations. It is certainly a nice thing to be able to do, but it's not really clear to us how big an issue it is with people. We haven't had a lot of feedback so far, and we're trying to prioritize this against other projects like bigger disks, bigger tapes, new video standards, etc. What do you all think? Is the 20Amp circuits a real hassle, or would you rather have us spend our time on other things... thanks in advance for your input, chris D. Christopher Dunlap (dunlap@sgi.com) Hardware Product Support Silicon Graphics Computer Systems
henry@utzoo.uucp (Henry Spencer) (10/29/88)
In article <21191@sgi.SGI.COM> dunlap@bombadl.SGI.COM (D. Christopher Dunlap) writes: >It is possible for us to make the 4D/xx and 4D/xxGT systems (but NOT >the Power series) run out of a regular 15Amp circuit. This would save >everyone from having to get special 20Amp outlets installed for their >workstations. It is certainly a nice thing to be able to do... Sure is. And most of the time, all you have to do is change the plug. A "heavy" configuration might be different, but our rather "light" 4D/60T is perfectly happy on a 15A circuit. We measured the current drain; it's nowhere near 15A. Harsh words were said about SGI. Yes, 20A circuits are a hassle. -- The dream *IS* alive... | Henry Spencer at U of Toronto Zoology but not at NASA. |uunet!attcan!utzoo!henry henry@zoo.toronto.edu
steve@eos.UUCP (Steve Philipson) (11/05/88)
In article <21191@sgi.SGI.COM> dunlap@bombadl.SGI.COM (D. Christopher Dunlap) writes: >It is possible for us to make the 4D/xx and 4D/xxGT systems (but NOT >the Power series) run out of a regular 15Amp circuit. This would save >everyone from having to get special 20Amp outlets installed for their >workstations. It is certainly a nice thing to be able to do, but it's >What do you all think? Is the 20Amp circuits a real hassle, or would >you rather have us spend our time on other things... Aggg, Gak!! Yeah, it's a big deal, but less so now that we've gone through the pain and suffering of installing those 20 amp lines. The major problem that we had at installation was that at the time (about 1 year ago), SGI did not tell its customers that 20 amp lines were needed. This caused the loss of considerable time and money when our machines were to be installed and we had put in 15 amp conditioned power lines. 15 amp connectors would make our machines much more easy to move though, so that would be a help. Is it alright for us to swap the 20 amp connector on the power cable to a 15 amp connector? What are the limitations on machine configuration that would require a 20 amp circuit? -- Steve (the certified flying fanatic) steve@aurora.arc.nasa.gov
dunlap@bombadl.SGI.COM (D. Christopher Dunlap) (11/08/88)
In article <1861@eos.UUCP>, steve@eos.UUCP (Steve Philipson) writes: > In article <21191@sgi.SGI.COM> dunlap@bombadl.SGI.COM (D. Christopher Dunlap) writes: > > >What do you all think? Is the 20Amp circuits a real hassle, or would > >you rather have us spend our time on other things... > > Aggg, Gak!! Yeah, it's a big deal, but less so now that we've gone > through the pain and suffering of installing those 20 amp lines. The > major problem that we had at installation was that at the time (about > 1 year ago), SGI did not tell its customers that 20 amp lines were > needed. This caused the loss of considerable time and money when our > machines were to be installed and we had put in 15 amp conditioned power > lines. 15 amp connectors would make our machines much more easy to move > though, so that would be a help. > > Is it alright for us to swap the 20 amp connector on the power > cable to a 15 amp connector? What are the limitations on machine > configuration that would require a 20 amp circuit? > -- > > Steve > (the certified flying fanatic) > steve@aurora.arc.nasa.gov I have already passed feedback to Sales Development to pass to the SEs and Sales Reps about customers who have been "surprised" by the 20Amp connectors. This is about the fourth time someone has mentioned this. The issue with the power is with UL approvals. I don't have a clear explanation of exactly why the systems need to have a 20Amp circuit, though. I'll chat with the engineers on the project about it and post later. As one person mentioned in a mail to me, many buildings actually have 20Amp service, but only 15Amp outlets. In those cases, it's easy to just change the outlet. (Unless, of course, you work for the Government or a university ;-} ) chris D. Christopher Dunlap Hardware Product Support Silicon Graphics
henry@utzoo.uucp (Henry Spencer) (11/08/88)
In article <1861@eos.UUCP> steve@eos.UUCP (Steve Philipson) writes: > Is it alright for us to swap the 20 amp connector on the power >cable to a 15 amp connector? ... It may void your warranty :-), and it just might void your UL rating -- not a trivial consideration if you want the equipment to be covered by your building's fire insurance! -- but our experience is that the Plug Police don't come and haul you away if you do this. -- The Earth is our mother. | Henry Spencer at U of Toronto Zoology Our nine months are up. |uunet!attcan!utzoo!henry henry@zoo.toronto.edu
root@sbcs.sunysb.edu (root) (11/08/88)
In article <1988Nov7.202653.19354@utzoo.uucp>, henry@utzoo.uucp (Henry Spencer) writes: > In article <1861@eos.UUCP> steve@eos.UUCP (Steve Philipson) writes: > > Is it alright for us to swap the 20 amp connector on the power > >cable to a 15 amp connector? ... > > It may void your warranty :-), and it just might void your UL rating -- > not a trivial consideration if you want the equipment to be covered by > your building's fire insurance! -- but our experience is that the Plug Would it though? I don't see a clause anywhere in my home fire insurance policy that states "all electrical equipment/wiring must carry a UL/CSA rating". All it says on such subjects is if I "knowingly increase" a hazard my insurance *may* be void. If strict UL/CSA were required, quite a few people are going to have to throw out various items around the house, eg old refrig's, radios, etc. After all, any gadget that is properly certified can be used in such a way as to cause a fire, eg a hotplate is UL'ed, but I will bet it can cause a fire :-). I thought that although UL is required by law in some states in some states in order to sell, but it is primarily CVA for the manufacturers. > Police don't come and haul you away if you do this. > -- > The Earth is our mother. | Henry Spencer at U of Toronto Zoology > Our nine months are up. |uunet!attcan!utzoo!henry henry@zoo.toronto.edu Rick Spanbauer SUNY/Stony Brook