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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
/3 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” »
External Maintenance Bypass – What Is It and When Is It Necessary?
/1 Comment/in Bypass, Critical Power System, Downtime, External Maintenance Bypass, Facility Management, Preventative Maintenance /by Karyn SchairerBusinesses use emergency back-up power systems to ensure availability of their most critical applications. What happens then, when the critical power system needs maintenance done, or if the UPS system has an issue itself? Like a vehicle, back-up power equipment needs regular maintenance or “tune-ups” to ensure it continues running correctly. However, there are times when back-up power equipment is so critical that it cannot be taken offline, even for maintenance. Having an External Maintenance Bypass is a way to allow critical power systems to have more flexibility while maintenance is done, keeping equipment online without interruption to loads. Continue reading “External Maintenance Bypass – What Is It and When Is It Necessary?” »
Toshiba SCiB Batteries: UPS Lithium-Ion Technology
/2 Comments/in Critical Power System, Energy Efficiency, UPS, UPS Batteries, UPS Battery Monitoring, UPS Efficiency, UPS Options /by Karyn SchairerManagers responsible for critical IT loads or other high demand applications want to make sure that their equipment is protected by the most reliable, efficient technology possible. This is especially true when it comes to UPS battery back-up technology. There has been great interest recently in Lithium-Ion battery technology and the UPS Lithium-Ion Battery market is rapidly expanding. Toshiba launched their own battery technology called SCiB (Super Charge Ion Battery) back in 2008. While this technology has been available for many years, it’s introduction into the UPS system has been fairly recent. The newest iteration of this battery is showcased in the Toshiba G9000 series UPS unit. We will discuss the make-up of the SCiB and also some of it’s main advantages compared to similar battery technologies. Continue reading “Toshiba SCiB Batteries: UPS Lithium-Ion Technology” »
QPS Announces New Lithium-Ion Line of UPS Systems
/0 Comments/in Annoucements, Critical Power System, UPS, UPS Batteries /by Karyn SchairerQuality Power Solutions is excited to announce a new line of Lithium-Ion UPS systems from N1 Critical Technologies! N1 Critical is a Wisconsin-based company focused on the research and production of Lithium-Ion UPS systems and battery solutions. N1C Lithium-Ion UPS systems are rugged and long-lasting, able to withstand up to 140 degrees Fahrenheit and are one of the first UPS systems to offer a lifetime warranty.
Continue reading “QPS Announces New Lithium-Ion Line of UPS Systems” »
The Main Components of a DC Power System
/0 Comments/in Critical Power System, DC Power Plants, Energy Efficiency /by Karyn SchairerIn our connected, high-tech and high-paced world, tolerance for downtime is simply not acceptable. DC Power Plants are often used in many industries, especially telecom and network applications to ensure clean, reliable DC power is supplied to critical equipment. In our previous two articles regarding DC power plants, we discussed typical applications where they are used the most, some of the advantages they provide, and how to best maintain these systems. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at these components to better familiarize ourselves with what is going on inside this system, and their benefits.
Continue reading “The Main Components of a DC Power System” »
When Does a Pre-Owned UPS Make Sense For Your Business?
/0 Comments/in Pre-owned UPS, UPS, UPS Options /by Karyn SchairerFor some, the thought of purchasing used equipment can feel like a poor investment, or carry unnecessary risk. Pre-owned, or “used” may make some people think of something not kept up or problematic, that another party simply wants to get rid of. Maybe something destined for the junkyard? While this imagery may be understandable, this conception is just plain wrong.
Continue reading “When Does a Pre-Owned UPS Make Sense For Your Business?” »
DC Power Plant Maintenance: Keeping Businesses Running
/2 Comments/in Battery Maintenance, Critical Power System, DC Power Plant Maintenance, DC Power Plants, Preventative Maintenance, Safety Awareness /by Karyn SchairerIn our last article, we discussed DC power plants, what they are, and how they are often used. Just like any back-up power system, DC power plants need regular service checks and maintenance performed to work optimally. It is important to state that DC plants, although similar to the function of UPS systems, have many functional differences and require unique training when performing annual maintenance. During a preventative maintenance visit a technician will usually isolate individual rectifiers and charging components to evaluate function and longevity. This practice helps to reduce the risk of a potential failure before it happens. Continue reading “DC Power Plant Maintenance: Keeping Businesses Running” »
DC Power Plants: Efficient Power for Industry
/4 Comments/in DC Power Plants, Installation, Safety Awareness /by Karyn SchairerFor most of power infrastructure and transmission, the globe runs on alternating current (AC) power, but there are specific applications where Direct Current (DC) power is more efficient to use. We will explore DC power plants in more detail, why it is better for certain applications, and the industries where it is most commonly used. Continue reading “DC Power Plants: Efficient Power for Industry” »