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Power To The Core continued

More Ways To Optimize

Beyond batteries, to achieve optimum performance and maximum reliability, the size of the UPS must correspond to the demands of the facility and data center. This can prove to be a challenge.

A firm’s potential growth over five to 10 years—versus the optimum operating window for a UPS at 70% to 80% of its rated capacity—must be considered. Coupled with the expected higher density of lower power consumption servers, and the fact that most are now dual corded, this exercise can deteriorate to something short of guesswork.

However, it is still imperative to select an appropriately sized system. A system that is too small runs the risk of overloading and causing a drastic, and sometimes pyrotechnical, outage. This can require weeks to restore and can result in collateral damages.

A system that is too large can waste enough electricity to justify the expense of purchasing a new, smaller system within a surprisingly short time. In addition, a UPS system that is too small or too large will result in excess heat generation that can strain cooling plants and/or degrade sensitive electronic systems. Even in the best scenario, valuable energy resources would be wasted to dissipate the heat when a new system would reduce substantial kW/hr charges.

This Is A Test

There is always the potential for UPS failures. Considering the significance of the system, it is important to check its reliability. Most critical power service providers can perform these exercises and recommend the frequency of testing.

Testing renders peace of mind that equipment will function as expected and when needed. Load bank testing, which examines the UPS, generator, and batteries, verifies that the equipment can handle a full load. Battery load bank testing is especially beneficial to firms without generator backup power, as it facilitates the development of a systematic shutdown within known parameters.

Facility rollover testing simulates a real life outage and demonstrates the system’s ability to return to normal status when utility power is restored. Thermography scanning uses infrared technology to detect a poor electrical connection before a component fails.

Commissioning electrically checks an entire facility. It details the condition of all components including total system cohesion, weaknesses, and future expansion.

Time To Go

While originally designed to deliver an economically repairable 20 year service life, UPS systems should be replaced sooner. Advances in technology, improvements in connectivity, and enhanced feature sets all play a significant role in the design of new UPS systems.

A salient case can be made to replace a device that is rapidly approaching the end of its useful service life or is beyond economical repair. This is not to say the device is too costly to repair, but rather that its potential for failure exceeds the value of a replacement system.

In many instances, a cost justification can be made to deliver a five year payback. More importantly, the potential of an unplanned catastrophic failure with its impact to business operations must be considered in a deliberate assessment of risk.

When evaluating the importance of backup power and UPS, it is essential for facility professionals to understand the importance of time and data. If energy consumption patterns continue at the same rate, power outages, interruptions, and brownouts will increase, as will reliance on computers and other technology. Isn’t it time to begin reducing the $80 billion that this country loses every year due to power outages?

O’Connor is marketing communications specialist and Vande Wetering is director of technical support and DC plants at Verona, WI-based JT Packard. For more information on the company’s products and services, visit www.jtpackard.com.

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