Power Protection FEATURED ARTICLE

It seems that most folks think about backup power only when it’s too late: e.g., after the power has already gone out, data has been lost and/or equipment has been fried. But as Technology Writer Teng Seen Khoom pointed out in a recent blog, it’s important for a number of reasons to think about power supplies while everything is up and running.

Writing on the tech site NetworksAsia, Khoom notes “The importance of a stable uninterrupted power system (UPS) is one that should never be downplayed – with a misguided spark, even the shortest of power outages could spell big trouble for the most established structures.”

Khoom observes that power sags, surges and outages are not only unavoidable but also more than capable of damaging valuable IT equipment and bringing productivity to a halt. “While back-ups are a given, it is imperative to have a good understanding of the systems involved, and that a robust power protection solution is planned and deployed,” he said.

For example, there are two types of uninterruptible power systems that most enterprises use: Static UPS and Rotary UPS.

Static UPS systems typically consist of banks of lead-acid batteries that store energy to provide line conditioning and backup to network equipment during power disturbances. If the disturbance progresses to an outage, diesel-fueled power generators are switched on. “Static UPS systems provide load isolation, are relatively straightforward to maintain, and can give a range of ride-through times at the loss of utility power with different battery string configuration/sizes,” Khoom noted.

A rotary UPS uses a motor/generator to create output. “Rotary UPSs are capable of providing high fault-clearing capabilities (peak/maximum current to blow fuse) without going to bypass. This means that the unit is able to provide a ‘short circuit current’ to blow a fuse or trip a protection switch downstream instead of ‘protecting itself’ as static UPSs do,” he said.

Either way, it is imperative to have a UPS system in place. As the winter progresses and the weather gets worse, it makes sense to do it now before disaster – and darkness – strike.