Why to Use and Why to Avoid Using Modular UPS Systems

There are now some opportunities to increase efficiency and availability for UPS systems, and opportunities to reduce emissions and costs. The rising pressure for businesses to reduce their carbon footprint has made the mentioned achievements much more appealing for both contractors and customers to consider.

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When a business chooses a UPS system, it is imperative that they choose the right system that will support their critical load. Some factors need to be evaluated including availability, reliability, and expandability. There are now new ways to save energy and reduce costs thanks to the latest technology within the industry. UPS power solutions such as transformerless, modular configurations have an improved input power factor and lower cooling requirements among many other features.

There is a growing dependence on power to support critical processing with the need for 24/7 availability. The identified solution is the combination of a UPS and a standby generator – however, these two devices do not naturally connect well together. Sourcing individual units presents the risk of getting the wrong size system which makes installation problematic and compromises the system autonomy.

The three most important forms of UPS systems are off-line, line-interactive and on-line. The most effective forms of these are on-line double-conversion UPS systems. These are particularly useful when dealing with critical loads. This is because they provide the most comprehensive form of protection against supply problems to the mains. Therefore they continually deliver a high level of system availability.

Many businesses also use transformerless three-phase GE UPS systems as they provide significant weight and space savings.

It is important to match the UPS system’s capacity to the respective critical load – this can massively decrease energy consumption and take pressure off the cooling system. Modular rack mounted systems are right sized from the outset as hot-swappable modules can be removed and inserted. This means power can be added as requirements develop but in a cost effective way and with no downtime.

Price is a key issue to many businesses who are looking to purchase GE UPS systems and standby generators. Realizing this, a small number of suppliers have cut costs; however, this compromises the reliability of the power protection service they offer. Businesses should always consider the expertise, technology and post sales services the supplier offers them. For example, a good supplier will offer a repair service with UPS hire and be able to install a UPS replacement battery should yours fail.

Transformer-based UPS

The dual input option in a transformer-based UPS can be selected at installation by simply removing a linking connector from its input terminal. The UPS can be powered from two separate AC supply sources because in this type of module the rectifier and bypass are independent of each other.

Transformerless UPS

In a transformerless UPS, the rectifier and bypass supplies require a common neutral connection, made within the module itself. This type of GE UPS can be installed with a dual input but with supplies derived from the same source, which is obviously not as resilient as if the supplies were originating from separate sources.