Guide to choosing a UPS

Step 1: UPS Position

Where will the UPS be positioned, what is the site's electrical status?

Understanding the physical environment in which the UPS solution will be operating is key to ensuring optimum performance. Ascertain height and weight limitations, ventilation restrictions and examine physical space.

Step 2: Power requirements

How much power do you require, what will the UPS solution be supporting?

It is essential that the chosen UPS solution can cope with the total electrical load that will be used not just now but in the future. Planning for future growth will help achieve greater TCO (total cost of ownership) values. We also recommend that an additional 20-25% capacity is included to account for any surges in power and allow for redundancy.

Step 3: UPS types

How much power do you require, what will the UPS solution be supporting?

COMPACT

Single phase technology will provide a perfectly adequate backup power source for small office networks and non-essential functions. Where a more resilient three phase UPS solution should be considered for crucial environments such as data centres.

TRADITIONAL

Centralised/tower/static/solid state UPS have long been recognised as the industry choice for resilience. Whilst these have been the root of power protection for many years and where once their efficiencies were poor, advances in technology now mean these models boast ultra-high efficiencies combined with unfailing power protection.

MODULAR

UPS solutions offer a flexible and scalable approach when it comes to UPS investment and present reduced operating costs and easier overall maintenance. Engineering works can be quickly undertaken, which integrates hot swappable power, bypass, control and monitor modules, allowing them to be removed or replaced without disturbance to the load. This in turn can mean a more reliable power supply.

Step 4: Additional features

What additional features do I need my UPS to have?

Which additional features do I need my UPS to have? Eco-efficiency to reduce energy consumption and related costs. Intelligent monitoring to allow for remote system management of single or multiple UPS equipment. Front access, hot-swappable batteries, PDU, manual bypass etc to reduce expensive maintenance expenditure and downtime. Extended runtime to provide longer periods of power protection.

It is important to remember that reputable UPS manufacturers such as Huawei and Borri design, develop and manufacture power protection solutions to do exactly that – deliver reliable resilience. Other features such as industry leading efficiency, operational performance and flexibility are all additional benefits that come with investing in leading edge technology.