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UPS load balancing electrician

Understanding Field Service Reports Part 3: Balancing UPS Loads

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Our 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” »

field service reporting

Understanding Field Service Reports Part 1: UPS Batteries

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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.

Continue reading “Understanding Field Service Reports Part 1: UPS Batteries” »

External Maintenance Bypass

External Maintenance Bypass – What Is It and When Is It Necessary?

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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. Continue reading “External Maintenance Bypass – What Is It and When Is It Necessary?” »

Battery testing and inspection

DC Power Plant Maintenance: Keeping Businesses Running

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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. Continue reading “DC Power Plant Maintenance: Keeping Businesses Running” »

Telecom Room, yellow cabling.

DC Power Plants: Efficient Power for Industry

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For 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” »

Hidden costs of service

The Hidden Costs of Your Service Provider

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You are feeling good about your negotiations with your new service provider. The discussions about your equipment have been excellent, and your rep really seems to understand your needs. You have a service contract in hand and are ready to sign.

WHOA!

Before you put pen to paper sealing the deal, it is very important to review your service contract carefully before moving ahead. While you think you know what your costs will be for services, you need to beware of potential “hidden costs” that can trip you up and cause headaches in the future. Here are some things to look out for when you are doing that review: Continue reading “The Hidden Costs of Your Service Provider” »

lighting inverters, myers illuminator

Seven Important Components: Lighting Inverters Dissected

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As a follow up to our Lighting inverter series, this article will focus on the components of a lighting inverter and how they may differ from a UPS.  UPS systems are typically used for critical power applications where both power conditioning and uninterrupted power is required.  They typically have shorter run time and rely on batteries to keep the system running in the event of an outage.  While there are UPS systems that are UL924 approved, a UPS is typically used in non-lighting applications such as data centers, hospitals and other critical environments, keeping your servers, computers and other equipment operational in the event of a power outage.  A lighting inverter is similar to a line-interactive UPS, where the unit passes utility power to support systems until there is an outage, then draws from batteries to provide power during the outage window.

Continue reading “Seven Important Components: Lighting Inverters Dissected” »

Power Outages Caused by Squirrels

Hundreds of Power Outages in the US Are Caused by…Squirrels?

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When you think of power outages in this country, you generally think of weather related incidents and natural disasters – things like floods, fire, ice storms, heat waves and tornadoes.

It’s true, many power outages can be attributed to these events. However, believe it or not, many of the power outages that occur in the US are not the result of bad weather, but instead the result of squirrels and other small animals.

Yes, squirrels! And incidents seem to be on the rise. In fact, the number of incidents has significantly risen since we last touched on the squirrel issue in 2014. This squirrel problem is noteworthy enough that there is even a tongue-in-cheek website devoted to tracking power outages, or “cyber squirrel attacks” across the world: http://cybersquirrel1.com/  Even the Eaton Blackout Tracker lists animal related outages as causing 5% of all outages country-wide.

Continue reading “Hundreds of Power Outages in the US Are Caused by…Squirrels?” »

Three-Facility-Monitoring-Systems-Essential-for-Uptime

Three Facility Monitoring Systems Essential for Uptime

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You may not be aware of adverse conditions within your facility that threaten to take down your critical loads at any time. That’s why monitoring your data center’s equipment is vital. Here are three facility monitoring systems to improve your mission-critical system protection. (Note: This post was written by Gary Wells, a Senior Field Engineer for Quality Power Solutions.) Continue reading “Three Facility Monitoring Systems Essential for Uptime” »