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Basic System Components > Front-end unit > Components

Power Supply

As explained earlier, high priority has been given to achieving a minimal power requirement for the operation of the entire front-end. With the RED Cube, the user can choose between solar power or a lifetime battery concept--at little extra cost. This innovation opens up nearly unrestricted possibilities for the placement of the seismic sensors.

Even in those cases where the unit is regularly run from line power, there is a notable advantage: PG&E´s rate for one full year of line power supply would amount to less than $1!

Note: This figure would be achieved with a modern high-side switch-mode unit of adequate size. Conventional power plugs (incorporating an iron-core transformer) would heat up considerably (even in idle mode), thus wasting electricity in the amount of several dollars per year.

A high- side switch-mode power supply (left) and a conventional transformer unit (right)