[ Spotlight: UPS ]
Application opportunities UPS technology covers a multitude of application areas, not all of which are in the remit of electrical contractors. ‘For small installations, where just a few computers or servers need to be supported, a UPS that plugs into a standard 13A power outlet is probably all that’s needed,’ says Jorma Mannerkoski, vice president, sales northern Europe, Eaton’s Electrical Sector. ‘End users usually buy these off the shelf and do their own installation, so there’s little opportunity for contractors to become involved in this sector. At the other end of the scale, large data centres need UPSs rated at hundreds of kilowatts or more. These are usually custom designed and supplied by specialists, so once again they are of little interest to the average contractor.’ In contrast, the area in between the smallest and the largest systems – involving equipment rated from 5 kVA to 80 kVA – has enormous potential for contractors. ‘In fact, in continental Europe, the vast majority of UPSs in this size range are supplied and installed by electrical contractors, usually alongside the normal building power and lighting distribution systems,’ says Mannerkoski. ‘There is no reason that the UK should be different. All that’s needed is for contractors, when they are quoting on a project, to look at whether or not a UPS is likely to be needed as it might be, for example, if the project is a retail development with lots of point-of-sale terminals, or a medium-sized business with its own server room, or even a medical centre with several servers,’ points out Mannerkoski. ‘If a UPS is going to be needed, then contractors should not be reticent about offering to quote for its supply and installation. After all, a contractor who is carrying out other work on site should be able to give a very competitive price for adding what is, in essence, just one more box of electrical equipment,’ he says.
Maintaining interest The survey by Uninterruptible Power Supplies points to other opportunities for electrical contractors. ‘More than 90 per cent of the survey’s respondents believe that maintenance and emergency call out services are as important as the hardware itself to their business,’ says
Emerging technologies such as new generation, multi-level inverters are helping to address the challenge for greater energy effi ciency
Eaton in data entry
When one of the UK’s largest data centre owners opened a new data centre with more than 200,000 sq ft of technical space in Surrey, it needed a UPS installation that would combine exceptional reliability with versatility and energy effi ciency. After reviewing the available options, the company selected a system based on Eaton 9395 UPSs, confi gured to provide N+N A/B redundancy. Eaton provided a turnkey solution, and is also providing on-going 24/7 support for the installation.
The scope of supply covered all of the AC systems, and included not only the provision of the UPS units themselves, but also installation, interconnection, assembly and provisioning of the battery racks, and commissioning.
Eaton was also responsible for all of the logistical operations associated with the UPS system, which included equipment and batteries weighing more than 760 tonnes. Throughout the project, Eaton worked closely with the owner’s own engineering and contracting teams, as well as with third-party contractors as required.
Mike Elms. ‘Accordingly, users should arrange a support package comprising both scheduled maintenance and assured emergency response. Scheduled maintenance minimizes the need for emergency callouts by spotting deteriorating components for replacement before failure.’ As a complete power protection installation often extends to a UPS, batteries and generator, it makes sense to use a single supplier who understands all of these, how they interact with one another and, therefore, how to provide an integrated power support strategy. An emergency callout service appropriate to the load’s criticality should be negotiated. Guaranteed on-site response times should be set, backed by 24/7 telephone support and, optionally, by remote monitoring.
The installation and maintenance of UPS systems presents a growing area of opportunity for electrical contractors
Are contractors missing out on this market? ‘In the UK, far too many electrical contractors stay away from supplying UPS systems, but there is no good reason why they should,’ says Jorma Mannerkoski. ‘Choose the right products, from the right manufacturer, and supplying UPSs can, in fact, be a very welcome path to extra profi t.’
September 2012 ECA Today 45
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