Paul Blake

Kirk Key interlocking switches are a means of safeguarding your equipment and critical data. You can use them to shut off power, control personnel access, and prevent a machine from starting when the guard is open.

To ensure safe and controlled access, a trapped key interlocking system like the Kirk Key is widely used with a UPS maintenance bypass. This method is an additional step in precautionary means for shifting utility power to backup battery power for maintenance and service. This feature eliminates the risk of accidentally dropping a data load.

A sequence of steps through transferring keys can either trap or release access to a locked or open circuit breaker. A key is used to isolate the power source with a bolt lock. Bolt interlocks have a variety of applications, from switchgear to machine guarding.

In access interlocking applications, a trapped key interlocking is used for preventing the paralleling of two energy sources, preventing particular operations until a breaker is locked open or closed, preventing disconnecting of breakers under load, and minimizing the possibility of a hazardous arc flash. These are often part of a larger trapped key interlock system.

A C&C Power maintenance bypass can easily be configured with a Kirk Key interlocking system. Options include either a basic Kirk Key system or an SKRU solenoid key release. Both come fully assembled and tested from the factory. If you have questions about which system is right for you, please contact our sales team for further information. Below is a visual walkthrough of a Kirk Key SKRU system. The goal of this video is to ensure you are interacting with the device confidently and correctly.

C&C Power and its customers have been approached by fraudulent buyers seeking to place battery orders. Our sales team has seen many battery scam orders throughout the years. Within the last few months, there has been an increase in these inquiries.

Generally speaking, these requests have come asking for random increments of batteries. Quote requests are all sent from unsuspecting fake email addresses that appear to resemble university or school addresses. These email addresses almost always end in edu.org.

These quotes for backup batteries can run from $20-60K. The fraudulent buyer will continue by processing the order with a credit card and give a shipping address for products. The buyer may also arrange for pickup. Once the shipment is confirmed, payment is retracted, and the buyer can no longer be reached. Freight is intercepted in the middle of transit. In some cases, police have located the stolen freight and returned it to the shipper or manufacturer.

After tracking shipments for some of these battery scam orders, it has led us to storage locations or holding areas in the middle of nowhere. In conclusion, shipping locations do not correlate with any university addresses or the contact information given by the buyer.

Despite efforts by the authorities, funds have not been able to be recovered. We urge you to please be cautious whenever approached by these types of buyers.

If you have questions about any C&C Power product or would like to speak to a sales representative concerning your power product needs, give us a call at 630-617-9022 or simply click the button below.

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Quickly reference definitions in our Power Industry Glossary Terms list. This tool will help give you a better understanding of product features and options. To download specific product information visit our Resources page.

Alternating Current (AC) Power – Cell or battery current. Alternating current (AC) is an electric current that periodically reverses direction, in contrast to direct current (DC) which flows only in one direction. Alternating current is mostly used for power distribution.

Auxiliary Switch – For applications requiring remote on or off indication. Each auxiliary switch is comprised of an open, closed, and common contact.

Backhaul – Satellite communication, getting data to a point from which it can be transmitted to the satellite. The intermediate link between the core network, or backbone and the small subnetwork at the edge of the network system.

Bell Alarm – The bell alarm switch is closed when the circuit breaker has been tripped due to a short circuit, shunt trip, or under-voltage trip. The bell alarm switch is automatically opened when the circuit breaker is reset.

BIB – Bypass Input Breaker – One of three breakers on the manual bypass panel

Critical Load – Refers to computers, data centers, or servers. Critical loads are those loads to which power supply has to be maintained under any circumstances. Power supply to these loads should not ever be interrupted.

DC Power – In direct current (DC), the electric charge (current) only flows in one direction. Rather than oscillating back and forth (AC Power), DC provides a constant voltage or current.

Flywheels – A flywheel is a heavy shaft-mounted rotating disc that speeds up when electrical energy is applied to it. When energy is needed, the flywheel is slowed and the kinetic energy is converted back to electrical energy, where it can be transmitted to where it is required.

IFC – International Fire Code – fire code addressing conditions hazardous to life and property from fire, explosion, handling or use of hazardous materials and the use and occupancy of buildings and premises.

Kirk Keys – Keys in an interlocking maintenance bypass system. The “E” or “W” next to the interlock indicates the position of the interlock bolt when the key is removed. “E” = Extended, “W” = Withdrawn

Lead-acid Battery – Rechargeable lead-acid content battery with cost-effective solutions. Large-format lead-acid designs are widely used for storage in backup power supplies in cell phone towers, high-availability settings like hospitals, and stand-alone power systems.

Maintenance Bypass Switch – An isolation switch between the uninterruptible power source and the commercial power source. A maintenance bypass switch provides single-switch isolation of power in a bypass mode.

Maintenance Bypass Systems – maintenance bypass systems are crucial in transferring power and eliminating disruption in current to your connected equipment. This is done through breakers to isolate the power flow.

MBB – Maintenance Bypass Breaker – One of three breakers on the manual bypass panel

MIB – Maintenance (Module) Isolation Breaker – One of three breakers on the manual bypass panel

MBBC – Maintenance Bypass Breaker Cabinet – The MBBC allows the end-user to safely isolate the UPS from utility power and from the load to perform regular service and maintenance. All of this is done while still maintaining power to your critical load.

Modbus – a method used for transmitting information over serial lines between electronic devices. The device requesting the information is called the Modbus Master and the devices supplying information are Modbus Slaves.

MSDS – Material Safety Data Sheet – aka SDS (Safety Data Sheets) – Used to identify hazardous chemicals/materials used by products.  Generally focused on the safety of a particular product used in an occupational setting.  In our industry, this is provided by battery manufacturers and their compliance to regulatory standards (primarily OSHA).

NFPA (Compliant) – National Fire Protection Association - The National Fire Protection Association is a United States trade association, albeit with some international members, that creates and maintains private, copyrighted standards and codes for usage and adoption by local governments.

PDU – Power Distribution Unit. An electrical device used to control the distribution of power to individual loads. It is fitted with multiple outputs designed to distribute electric power, especially to racks of computers and networking equipment located within a data center.

Power Grid - Electrical power system that travels from the power plant to your facility. High-power transmission lines can carry electricity between local grids in order to balance supply and demand.

RIB – Rectifier Input Breaker - provides a convenient method for removing power from the UPS when using the maintenance bypass to supply the load.

RPP – Remote Power Panels (electrical power distribution panel) – The Remote power panel is a standalone AC power distribution unit that can accommodate up to eighty-four distribution circuit breakers.

Shunt Trip – Circuit breakers may be tripped from a remote location with the use of a shunt trip. Shunt trips can be activated by applying a specified voltage through the shunt trip contacts which cause the circuit breaker to trip.

SIB – System Isolation Breaker – Isolator is a switch operated manually, which separates the circuit from the power main and discharges the trapped charges in the circuit.

SKRU – Solenoid Key Release Unit – Interlocking key designed to permit removal of the key in response to an electrical signal.

SNMP – Simple Network Management Protocol - is a set of protocols for network management and monitoring. These protocols are supported by many typical network devices such as routers, hubs, bridges, switches, servers, workstations, printers, modem racks, and other network components and devices.

SPDT – Single Pole Double Throw – is a switch that only has a single input and can connect to and switch between 2 outputs

Thermal Runaway – Commonly used to describe a battery failure mode in which a battery is generating more heat than it can dissipate. The end result could be a fire if left unresolved.

Transformer – a transformer is a device that supplies power from one voltage level to another voltage level at a constant frequency.

UIB – UPS Input Breaker – One of three breakers on the manual bypass panel that can be operated to transfer power from the source power to the backup power supply.

UL – Underwriters Laboratories – Products listed to UL Standards and CSA (Canadian Standards Association) Certified. The UL logo indicates that the product has been certified to the United States and meets specific, defined requirements.

Under Voltage (UV) Trip – Circuit breakers may be tripped from a remote location with the use of a UV Trip. The UV Trip must be powered in order for the circuit breaker to be operated. When the power is removed, the circuit breaker will trip.

UPS – Uninterruptible Power Supply (Source). An uninterruptible power supply (UPS), also known as a battery backup, provides backup power when your regular power source fails, or voltage drops to an unacceptable level. A UPS allows for the safe, orderly shutdown of a computer and connected equipment.

VRLA Battery - Valve Regulated Lead Acid Battery.