What is Thermal Runaway?
One of the largest hazards related to UPS systems, Emergency Lighting Inverters and DC Applications is thermal runaway. What is it, and how can you prevent the potential loss of millions?
UPS Battery Supply Chain Shortages
With Covid 19 dramatically slowing or halting many of our supply chains, have you considered how this will affect your UPS and the critical equipment that it protects? While service is still being performed, we have seen increased delays with one of the key consumables in your UPS—the battery. See how we can help you plan your next battery replacement project.
Managing Critical Power Supply with a Remote Team
Reliable power has been more crucial for running a business this year than ever. As COVID-19 continues to surge, organizations have shifted the workspace out of the office and into the home or other remote locations. With this change, a demand for quality power supply to support our remote employees has emerged. Even as we beat back the COVID pandemic, it has forever shifted how organizations look at remote work. Below are some of the questions you should ask as you plan for how to manage your critical power supply in 2021.
Prepare for Winter Weather: Tips for Your UPS Maintenance Inspection
Caution! Winter weather is fast approaching, which for many of us, means making sure our vehicles are prepared to drive in unfavorable weather conditions. Just like you have your vehicle set up for routine maintenance, it’s especially important for your Uninterruptible Power System (UPS) as well. When dealing with critical power equipment, winter maintenance is key for making sure your generator systems are in top working order, and prepared for power outages. To keep your facility online and running smoothly this winter, here is what to watch out for during your UPS’ routine maintenance inspection.
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Managing Critical Power with a Remote Team
Quality, reliable power is crucial for running your business, and right now it’s even more important than ever. As COVID-19 surged, organizations shifted their workspaces from the office to employees’ homes, and other remote locations, increasing the demand for power reliability that is more dispersed than ever. During this time, we’ve received numerous questions from customers regarding the future of the workplace environment, and although things remain uncertain right now, we know that power reliability to support remote partners is critical to helping your business be successful. Here are some of the actions we are taking to provide the best support possible for you during the pandemic.
Understanding Field Service Reports Part 4: Thermal Image Scanning
Our 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.
Understanding Field Service Reports Part 2: Capacitors and Fans
In 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. Read more
Understanding Field Service Reports Part 1: UPS Batteries
We 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.
External Maintenance Bypass – What Is It and When Is It Necessary?
Businesses 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. Read more
DC Power Plant Maintenance: Keeping Businesses Running
In 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. Read more