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The Match Game: What UPS Model Best Fits Your Application?
/0 Comments/in Critical Power System, UPS, UPS Efficiency, UPS Options /by Karyn SchairerEverybody wants to find their “match.” This is true in both life and in business: finding the right job, the right partner or the right community is important to us. This is also true in the critical power world. The idea of finding the right UPS “match” for your critical power applications by looking at several main factors is very important for the application to function most efficiently and effectively. Today, we will break down the three important categories to consider when making your UPS selection. Continue reading “The Match Game: What UPS Model Best Fits Your Application?” »
Refurbished Battery Modules: Pairing Safety with Savings
/0 Comments/in Battery Maintenance, Refurbished UPS Equipment, UPS, UPS Batteries, UPS Battery Modules /by Karyn SchairerModular UPS systems are designed to be flexible, and are often more user-friendly when it comes to replacing UPS batteries. Rather than a cabinet full of large, heavy batteries, many models are designed using battery modules, with multiple batteries that are housed in an enclosure. The module can then be installed by simply sliding the enclosure into the UPS chassis. These are also often designed to be “hot-swappable”, allowing the user to replace battery modules without the need to power off the UPS system. The downside is that purchasing new UPS battery modules can be expensive. One cost effective way to replace batteries is to consider purchasing refurbished, certified UPS battery modules. In this blog, we will cover the advantages of utilizing refurbished UPS battery modules and the steps QPS goes through prior to shipment. Continue reading “Refurbished Battery Modules: Pairing Safety with Savings” »
Learn More About UPS Lithium-Ion Battery Technology
/0 Comments/in Announcements, Lithium-Ion, UPS Batteries /by Karyn SchairerLithium-ion battery technology has been a frequent discussion point in the UPS industry lately, and we at QPS have had many inquiries about the technology from our clients and prospects. Some questions we have been asked include: What is the battery chemistry like? What applications is the technology best suited for? What are the maintenance requirements like? Is it a safe technology?
Join us on March 12th in Brookfield, Wisconsin as we explore the answer to these questions and more. QPS is hosting a seminar on Lithium-Ion battery technology, with speaker AJ Savant from Toshiba to discuss the chemistry, evolution, and applications for this technology in the critical power industry. This will be an in-depth exploration of this technology and should not be missed! We hope to see all of you there! Continue reading “Learn More About UPS Lithium-Ion Battery Technology” »
UPS in Alarm: What Happens Next.
/0 Comments/in Downtime, Service Agreements, UPS, UPS Alarms, UPS System Failure /by Karyn SchairerA while back, we ran an article on “What Your UPS Alarm is trying to Tell You” to help explain some of the basic alarms you might experience. In this article, we will go into more depth about how your service provider should respond, triage, and resolve your issue, from when you first contact them to completion. We will also discuss the importance of understanding the provisions your provider makes for response time and resources. This gives you an expectation of what happens “behind the scenes,” so you better understand the process involved in supporting your UPS.
Continue reading “UPS in Alarm: What Happens Next.” »
QPS Blog Year in Review: Lessons from Critical Power Discussions
/0 Comments/in Field Service Reports, UPS /by Karyn SchairerAt Quality Power Solutions, it’s important to us to build a knowledge base with our readers and customers, so we can create a meaningful shared dialogue on educational topics related to the critical power industry. We went through quite a few topics this year, so it’s always interesting to go back over what we shared. Here, then, is our QPS “blog year” in review summarizing our 2018 discussions. Continue reading “QPS Blog Year in Review: Lessons from Critical Power Discussions” »
5 Takeaways from Eaton’s 2017 Blackout Tracker Report
/0 Comments/in Downtime, Power Failure, Safety Awareness /by Karyn SchairerSince 2008, power equipment provider Eaton has collated and released an annual report called the Eaton Blackout Tracker. This report compiles annual power outage causes and associated impacts in the United States. The report’s purpose is to provide greater awareness of the vulnerability of the U.S. power grid, the types of losses outages can cause, and the importance of managing risks associated with outages. The most-recent 2017 Blackout Tracker Report compiles data from more than 3,500 outages across all 50 states. This report is based on reported power outages from various news services, newspaper reports, websites and personal accounts. The 2017 report marks the 10th and final year that Eaton will provide this report. Here are the 5 main takeaways to pay attention to when reviewing this year’s report. Continue reading “5 Takeaways from Eaton’s 2017 Blackout Tracker Report” »
Understanding Field Service Reports Part 4: Thermal Image Scanning
/1 Comment/in Field Service Reports, Preventative Maintenance, UPS, UPS Efficiency, UPS Maintenance /by Karyn SchairerOur fourth and final entry in our series on understanding field service reports looks at deciphering the results of thermal image scanning. The thermal image scan is important enough that QPS believes that every preventative maintenance check should have one performed. Thermal image scanning is one of the most reliable ways to predict impending UPS component failure, and if components, or the entire UPS, needs to be replaced.
Continue reading “Understanding Field Service Reports Part 4: Thermal Image Scanning” »
Understanding Field Service Reports Part 3: Balancing UPS Loads
/1 Comment/in Critical Power System, Field Service Reports, UPS, UPS Maintenance /by Karyn SchairerOur third entry in our series on field service reports concentrates on understanding balancing UPS loads. Before we dive in, let’s start by defining what it means to balance UPS loads. The definition of balancing UPS loads means to distribute loads evenly across the total output of the UPS.
Balancing UPS loads is normally recommended in order to avoid overuse on any one phase of the UPS equipment. In an example with a 3-phase UPS, the UPS puts out a certain amount of amperage, which can be separated into thirds of the total kVA rating across the three phases. When properly executed, balancing UPS loads avoids overuse and increases the useful life of the UPS by maximizing its output. Continue reading “Understanding Field Service Reports Part 3: Balancing UPS Loads” »
Understanding Field Service Reports Part 2: Capacitors and Fans
/2 Comments/in capacitors, Field Service Reports, Preventative Maintenance, Safety Awareness, UPS Capacitor Failure, UPS Capacitors, UPS fans, UPS Maintenance /by Karyn SchairerIn part 2 of our blog series on field service reports we will cover capacitors, what they do, and what to look for. The capacitor in a UPS is used to store an electric charge, as well as smoothing out and filtering voltage fluctuations. UPS systems vary significantly in design and technology, and as a result, the quantity and size of capacitors changes as well. In addition, because a capacitor replacement typically requires a shutdown of the UPS system for replacement, your UPS service provider likely will recommend and replace the cooling fans in the system at the same time. Both capacitors and fans are critical to keeping the UPS running, and both are just as susceptible to failure as the other components of a UPS. It is critical to understand how each component can be damaged, and what to look for in your field service report (FSR) regarding the health of your capacitors and fans. Continue reading “Understanding Field Service Reports Part 2: Capacitors and Fans” »
Understanding Field Service Reports Part 1: UPS Batteries
/3 Comments/in Battery Maintenance, Field Service Reports, Preventative Maintenance, Safety Awareness, UPS, UPS Batteries, UPS Battery Monitoring, UPS Service Provider /by Karyn SchairerWe are all familiar with going to the doctor to get a check up on our health. At the end of our visit, we typically receive a summary of what the doctor discussed with us, any tests they did, and recommendations they have for us related to those test results. A field service report (FSR) for your UPS system maintenance is similar to a health check for the unit, giving information on the condition and reliability of the UPS. Most UPS field service reports should include the unit information and location, a job description of what is being inspected, what actions were performed and their results, and the recommendations as the result of the job. In the coming weeks, we will break down a UPS service report and cover some of the main items that you should look for.
Continue reading “Understanding Field Service Reports Part 1: UPS Batteries” »