Case Study: WIKD FM Radio keeps airwaves open with Eaton UPS power protection

Eaton UPSs keep air waves open

WIKD FM Radio, the student-run station at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, Fla., needed a reliable power protection solution after upgrading to new studio equipment and building a separate transmission facility. Facing frequent outages, storms, lightning, and accidental campus power cuts, the station wanted backup power, load shedding, extended runtime, and a compact footprint. Eaton provided the UPS and connectivity foundation for the project with its 5PX and 9130 UPS models, along with Intelligent Power software and network management options.

Eaton installed a pair of 5PX UPSs and two 9130 UPSs with extended battery modules to protect studio, transmitter, processing, routing, and server equipment. The solution kept WIKD FM Radio on the air during outages and brownouts, enabled graceful shutdowns and load shedding, and offered up to 99% efficiency on the 5PX and over 95% on the 9130 in high-efficiency mode. With about 90 minutes of runtime at the studio, a small rack-mount footprint, a three-year warranty, and strong support, Eaton helped WIKD maintain 24/7 broadcasting and protect its investment.

WIKD FM Radio

Al Reynolds

Station Engineer