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omputer hardware has evolved from a useful productivity aid to an online resource essential to most organisations’ survival. The role of uninterruptible power supplies (UPS) has accordingly become critical in protecting this resource from mains power interruptions. Yet even while UPSs assume this increased responsibility, their users need them to do so more reliably and more efficiently than ever before. A recent survey by Uninterruptible Power Supplies Limited investigated exactly which power issues concern IT managers the most, and how they expect their UPS suppliers to respond. A look at the survey results, respondents’ priorities, and the UPS industry’s answers, offers pointers for electrical contractors looking to achieve future-proofed UPS configurations best suited to


today’s business and technical pressures. ‘Reliability is absolutely key, because while critical loads have rapidly grown, mains power has become less reliable,’ says Mike Elms, UK sales manager for Uninterruptible Power Supplies. ‘More than 75 per cent of the survey respondents reported a power outage within the last 12 months, while 78 per cent believe the situation will worsen over the next 10 years. This belief has foundation, as 19 GW of generating capacity will go by 2018, leading to power rationing or blackout risk.’


Cost counting


Rising energy costs are another major concern to 80 per cent of respondents, and reduction of carbon footprint is also a growing priority as environmental legislation becomes


Power play


Andrew Brister looks at the opportunities for electrical contractors in the uninterruptible power supplies (UPS) sector and finds out how the wider market is influencing product development


APC by Schneider Electric’s MGE Galaxy 300 UPS System


42 ECA Today September 2012


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