UPS & STANDBY POWER


Selecting the most appropriate UPS technology for your critical load A


small office system failure affects less people than that of a data centre, but its consequences for those who are involved can be just as severe.


Accordingly, Kenny Green, Technical Support Manager at Uninterruptible Power Supplies Ltd, a Kohler company, looks at how small offices can enjoy suitably scaled versions of the same UPS technology as used by their large data centre counterparts.


If you have ever had your fully-funded credit card declined after fuelling your car or completing some other irreversible purchase, you will no doubt have strong


views about your bank’s transaction processing system and its


availability. And you wouldn’t be alone; recent national press coverage has highlighted the enormous problems quickly created when a banking system does fail. As power issues can threaten data system availability, data centre operators invest in the best possible UPS technology to protect themselves. The consequences of a failure are simply not acceptable, while even suboptimal operating efficiency on large scales can have serious financial and possible reputational implications.


Although most of us do not directly control data centre strategy, we often have more involvement in our own office systems. While loss of availability


in these smaller-scale environments would not affect so many


people, the consequences for those who are affected could be just as severe. Small office systems deserve the same power protection as their larger data centre counterparts.


So how do we achieve this power protection in practice? Is it possible to obtain a UPS system which is scaled and truly optimised for a smaller office environment, while incorporating the same benefits as its much larger data centre counterparts? For answers, we can consider the specific requirements that a small office system will impose on its supporting UPS system, then review the possible solutions.


The small office system and its UPS needs


A relatively small office system has a small number of networked computers, communications equipment, peripherals and a server. A typical system could demand a 3-4 kVA single-phase supply.


If the UPS’s role is simply to allow safe shutdown during a power failure, 10- 15 minutes’ battery autonomy will usually suffice. However battery autonomy extending into several hours becomes essential if the system must remain operational throughout a power outage.


Form factor, appearance, size and weight are also important. Desktop


computers and peripherals will be distributed around a staffed office area, so office UPSs should be available in a similarly office-friendly tower format, together with rack-mounting versions for installation alongside servers and communications equipment.


Office-friendly UPS solutions


The most reliable and resilient single-phase UPS systems currently available are based on modular technology, similarly to their larger data centre counterparts. Such systems are available either as office-friendly tower systems or 6u 19” rack mounting units that contain 1250 VA UPS modules. Each module is implemented on a single PCB, thanks to modern power semiconductor technology, which has eliminated the large, heavy transformer previously needed to step up the inverter output voltage. The technology is also highly efficient: up to 92% at 100% load.


Uninterruptible Power Supplies Ltd, a Kohler company Tel: 0800 7313269 Web:www.upspower.co.uk


The Building Controls Show


enter 803


BIGGER AND BETTER FOR 2014 WE ARE MOVING UPSTAIRS


TO THE SURREY HALL AT SANDOWN PARK


FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT Rob Gouge or Claire Rixon


rgouge@datateam.co.uk – 01622 699 117 crixon@datateam.co.uk - 01622 699 191


Enter 26 30 MAY 2014 | ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING / ELECTRICALENGINEERING


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44