Primarily funded by viewers and the state of Alabama, the nine-station network presents local and PBS-produced programming, community outreach activities and online services for residents and educators. The station is also responsible for broadcasting emergencies, so extra precautions are taken to assure its transmitter and associated electronic systems are up and running despite the state of incoming electricity. Located in the Gulf Shore hurricane zone, Alabama Public Television’s (APT) broadcast engineers know firsthand the constant challenges of protecting a myriad of master control switchers, transmitters, cameras, amplifiers, editing bays, servers, RAID storage systems and other critical systems during catastrophic weather conditions. Transmission systems are notoriously difficult to protect against power anomalies because of their sensitivity to even the smallest disruption. Still, at the same time, they require high power to feed large transmitters. However, broadcast engineers are finding that adding the VYCON energy storage systems into the power continuity design significantly enhances reliability, increases green initiatives and lowers the total cost of UPS ownership. The VYCON Direct Connect (VDC) flywheel provides backup power seamlessly and instantaneously to Alabama Public Television’s transmission equipment. Windell Wood, Director of Engineering, opting to eliminate UPS batteries altogether, chose the VDC to provide instant power to the connected load. “Since we installed the three-phase UPS along with VYCON’s VDC flywheel, we have been completely protected against power outages, which we experience here about twice a month,” said Wood.
