The following terms and explanations are used to describe some of the most important charging and security features on laptop and mobile device storage and charging solutions.
Soft-start
Why – This prevents the electrical circuits which the laptop charging unit is plugged into, from tripping.
How – The soft start electronically phases the startup of laptops or netbooks so they do not draw too much electricity when they begin charging at the same time. Although laptops and netbooks operate a low voltage charging system, the initial power spike when multiple laptops are set to charge at the same time, is often enough to trip the MCB (fuse) in a room. This can cause damage to electrical equipment and is time consuming to deal with.
Anti-jemmy plates
Why – One of the most common ways in which to try and get into a laptop storage solution is to use a crowbar and try and price open the doors themselves.
How – Anti-jemmy plates are designed to limit the effectiveness of a crowbar, historically used to try and break into a trolley’s doors.
Power management
Why – Power management can help prolong the life of a laptops battery as well as help manage the volume of units of power used.
How – Power management refers to the way the electricity supplied to charge the laptops is controlled inside the charging unit. There are a number of ways in which it can be controlled from the simplest form of timer,s to control when and for how long charge is supplied to the laptops themselves or more sophisticated systems which recognise when a laptop is fully charged and then turn into standby mode.
Surge protection.
Why – A surge of electricity can be caused by lightening strikes or when power wires fall onto lower-voltage power wires as a result of a storm.
How – As the term describes surge protection is designed to protect laptops from a surge or sudden rush of electric. A surge protector attempts to limit the voltage supplied by either blocking or by shorting to the ground any unwanted voltages above a safe threshold.
Mains conditioning
Why – Power is not a consistent supply and fluctuates for many reasons,
How – Mains or power conditioners ensures quality and consistent power is provided to the devices. Some power conditioners provide only minimal voltage regulation whilst others provide protection from half a dozen or more power quality problems.
Anti-backwash.
Why – You may have noticed when you unplug a laptop the light on the power supply unit (PSU) stays on for a short amount of time, this is due to a small amount of power remaining in the unit. This is of course multiplied when there are up to 16 or 32 laptops in a charging solution.
How – The anti-backwash device prevents any electricity passing back down the mains input cable from the laptop transformers which may hold stored charge.
7 lever mortice locks.
Why – The lock is one of the most vulnerable elements of a storage unit.
How – The higher the number of “levers” the more difficult the lock is to “pick”. Mortice locks are less vulnerable to ram or forced attack than a surface mounted lock. When the doors are closed the locks slot into specifically designed plates, making it extremely difficult to pry the doors open.
