DRAFT
September 25, 2007 1:07 am, 4376782_Get_Started.fm
Chapter 1 Get Started
Select Protective Hardware and Software
7
Applied Biosystems StepOne
™
and StepOnePlus
™
Real-Time PCR Systems
Installation, Networking, and Maintenance Guide
CONFIDENTIAL — For AB Internal Use Only. Do Not Distribute.
Notes
Select Protective Hardware and Software
Before installing the system, obtain any of the following optional hardware and/or
software.
Electrical
Protective
Devices
Applied Biosystems recommends several protective devices to prevent loss of data and to
protect the system from damage resulting from electrical hazards.
Power Line Regulator
Applied Biosystems recommends the use of a 1.5-kVA power line regulator in areas
where the supplied power fluctuates in excess of ±10% of the normal voltage. Power
fluctuations can adversely affect the function of the system.
Note:
A power line regulator monitors the input current and adjusts the power supplied to the
instrument or computer. It does not protect against a power surge or failure.
Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS)
Applied Biosystems recommends the use of a 1.5-kVA uninterruptible power supply
(UPS), especially in areas prone to power failure. Power failures and other events that
abruptly terminate the function of the system can corrupt data and possibly damage the
system.
IMPORTANT! UPSs have finite battery lives and they provide power for a limited time.
They are meant to delay the effects of a power outage, not to serve as replacement power
sources. In the event of a power loss, power off the system unless you expect to regain
power within the battery life of the UPS.
Surge Protector
Applied Biosystems recommends the use of a 10-kVA surge protector (line conditioner)
in areas with frequent electrical storms or near devices that are electrically noisy, such as
refrigerators, air conditioners, or centrifuges. Short-duration, high-voltage power
fluctuations can abruptly terminate the function of, and thereby damage the components
of, the computer and the system.
Note:
A dedicated line and ground between the instrument/computer and the building’s
main electrical service can also prevent problems caused by power fluctuations.
Data Backup/
Storage Devices
Applied Biosystems recommends the use of one or more backup storage devices to
prevent potential loss of data caused by unforeseen failures of the instrument or the
computer. If your system includes a computer, then the CD/DVD drive of the computer
can serve as the backup storage device for your system. By saving your experiment files
(EDSs) to one or more writable CD or DVDs on a weekly basis, you can back up the data
generated by your system. Before installing the system, decide on a method for backing
up your data (“Archive and Back Up Data” on page 113).