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What
is an Uninterrupted power supply and its functions? |
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What
is the difference between the UPS catagories: OFF-LINE,
LINE INTERACTIVE, ON-LINE? |
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Is
UPS system really necessary for my computer? |
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What
exactly is meant by 'garbage' power? |
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How
does all this apply to my computer? |
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How
does an UPS eliminate these aberrations and give clean
power? |
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Is
computers type of load some special category of load? |
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How
do I size my requirement? |
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How
does one select the battery? |
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How
long batteries last in a UPS? |
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One
of the batteries has failed in the UPS battery bank, is
it alright to replace just one battery? |
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How
do I maintain and service the batteries and the UPS? |
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How
long can I leave the UPS switched off without damaging
the batteries ? |
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How
do I know what to buy? |
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What
are the right steps to install Line- Interactive UPS?
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Which
technology does Su-Kam use? |
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There
are other manufacturers of similar equipment. What is
so special about Su-Kam systems? |
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How
cost effective is the investment in an UPS system? |
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What
type of topologies are employed in ON-LINE UPS configurations? |
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Is
Online UPS better? |
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How
do I install my Online UPS? |
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What
about After Sales Services? |
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What
is Load Crest Factor? |
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What
is Static Regulation? |
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What
is Dynamic or Transient Regulation? |
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What
is an Uninterrupted power supply and its functions? |
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An
Uninterrupted power supply (UPS) is a system intended
to solve the mains disturbances and mains failure. The
batteries attached to the UPS enables the user to work
during mains failure. This is done by putting the UPS
between the mains and your computer. |
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What
is the difference between the UPS categories: OFF-LINE,
LINE INTERACTIVE, ON-LINE |
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OFFLINE
UPS
The OFFLINE UPS supplies (or routes) the incoming
mains supply directly through to the output usually through
a relay contact. Some high frequency noise filtering and
surge suppression may be included in this path. The UPS
switches on its inverter as soon as mains supply failure
is detected or below the normal load and simultaneously
switches the output relay to the inverter side to supply
battery sourced power to the load. This transition involves
a delay on account of the time to reliably detect mains
failure and switch over a relay, and the output is broken
for this period (usually for 2 to 12msec).
OFF - LINE UPS are usually the least expensive as compared
to the other two. The
Block diagram of inverter is shown:
LINE INTERACTIVE
The true LINE INTERACTIVE design is in fact a combination
of OFFLINE & ONLINE, in which the inverter plays
a dual role of charging the battery when mains supply
is present as well as regulating the output voltage
and working as a normal inverter in absence of mains
supply, so to the user it appears like an ONLINE System.
Line Interactive UPS offers enhanced power protection
over the basic Offline designs by providing additional
line conditioning.
ONLINE UPS
An ONLINE UPS is the one in which the inverter always
supplies power to the protected load and hence the same
quality of power is ensured all the time. When mains
supply is present, the inverter derives its power from
thee mains supplied rectifier and the backup batteries
are also kept in charged state. When the mains fail,
the source of DC power for the inverter section shifts
to the battery without any break whatsoever in the output
to the Inverter. It also bears all the vagaries and
noise borne out of the mains supply and insulates the
secure bus supply from it.
An ONLINE UPS is especially useful for sensitive and
critical equipments/devices.
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Is
UPS system really necessary for my computer? |
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As
an experienced & conscientious computer user, you
have faith in the dictum GIGO and you take precautions
to see that 'garbage' doesn't enter your system through
software. But there is one more source of garbage, of
a more serious nature, which is not normally taken care
of. That is in the form of garbage power input to the
computer. It is more serious because besides malfunctioning
and operation problems it can also cause permanent damage
to your computer. |
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What
exactly is meant by 'garbage' power? |
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It
is common knowledge that there are fluctuations in utility
supply .For example, some times the utility voltage is
as low as 170 to 160 volts and high as 280 to 300 volts.
Besides this, there are many more hidden culprits associated
with utility lines like sags and surges, oscillatory transients,
EMI and RFI, brown outs, or total loss of power.
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How
does all this apply to my computer? |
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The
equipment to which you are feeding this power is extremely
sensitive to the quality of power and is termed as critical
equipment. Imagine a sudden failure of computers during
busy hours when a critical operation is in progress. All
this can occur due to garbage power fed to such equipments.
The loss is invaluable and you just cannot take any chances.
The above problem is of malfunctioning or operational
nature. These can be extremely frustrating, time consuming
and expensive. Besides, like all electronic circuits ,the
computer circuits can also undergo irreparable damage
due to high voltage surges and spikes, which can reach
several kilovolts. |
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How
does an UPS eliminate these aberrations and give clean
power? |
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The
important blocks in a UPS and their functions are listed
below: These shall be helpful in explaining the functioning
of the UPS.
1) LINE FILTER : Eliminates line born noise
and spikes.
2) INVERTER : The smooth DC is inverted
by two transistors connected in push-pull configuration.
The switching device (Transistor OR IGBT or MOSFETS) is
used and controlled by a sophisticated control circuit.
A closed loop voltage feedback control is used to keep
the output voltage constant even under widely varying
DC voltage conditions. A proportional increase in the
widths of the pulses causes an increase in voltage and
a proportional reduction in width decreases the voltage.
This means that the voltage control action is a great
advantage for taking care of dynamic loading conditions
in a computer like switching on and off of disk and tape
drives as well as movement of the accessing head. A current
feedback protects the inverter even from short circuit
by turning off the control pulses going to the transistor
/ IGBT/ MOSFET base.
3) OUTPUT FILTER : The output filter converts
the inverter output to a smooth AC with very low distortion.
The nature of the filter is such that it can deliver inrush
and surge currents demanded during switching on of computer
loads. |
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Is
computers type of load some special category of load?
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Most
certainly. A number of devices in various computer installations
are studied, information is collected from device manufacturers
and after taking all this into account the system is
designed. Su-Kam has been doing this work in close co-operation
with experienced people from computer application and
computer maintenance fields. Therefore Su-Kam is in
a position to offer its users a unique advantage over
others. |
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How
do I size my requirement ? |
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There
are three ways in which we approach this.
Check the plate at the back of the equipment near the
mains onlet. It will usually give a figure in watts(w)
or Amps(A). If in Amps, multiply the line voltage by
the figure given to arrive at a VA (Volt-Amp) rating
add 25% which is what UPS are rated in. |
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How
does one select the battery? |
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Battery
selection depends upon the back up time required which
in turn depends upon the frequency of power failure,
average programme length and the presence of other back
up source like a diesel generator set. One thing to
remember is that the ampere hour ratings quoted by battery
manufacturers are on a ten hour discharge basis and
normally the back up time required will be much shorter;
sufficient either to finish an almost complete job or
to take a systematic shut down or to start the generator
set. However, when the battery is discharged in a shorter
time a derating factor has to be used which incidentally
does not vary below 20 to 30 minutes. So approx half
an one hour is a sensible back up time to select. |
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How
long batteries last in a UPS? |
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Battery
life depends upon number of factors , viz.
- temperature
- number of discharges experienced
- number of deep discharges experienced
- specification of the batteries
Battery
life is halved for every 10 degrees Centigrade temperature
increase above it's specified operating temperature
(usually 25 degree Centigrade).
UPS
batteries are designed for maximum life in 'typical'
use i.e. long periods of continous low charge and occasional
minor discharges.
At
installation time, the battery is at 100 percent of
rated capacity. Each discharge and subsequent recharge
reduces the relative capacity of the battery by a small
percentage.The length of the discharge cycle will determine
the reduction in battery capacity.
So-called deep discharges on a repeated basis will reduce
the life of the battery.
The
loaf of "bread" analogy is most often used to illustrate
the relationship between cycling and battery life. A
loaf of bread can either be cut into many thin slices
or a few thicker slices. Similarly, a UPS battery can
provide power over a large number of short cycles, or
fewer cycles of long duration.
The
IEEE defines "end of useful life" for a UPS battery
as being the point when it can no longer supply 80 percent
of its rated capacity in ampere-hours. The realationship
between amp-hours and load protection time is not linear,
a 20% reduction in capacity results in a much greater
reduction in protection time. For example, a UPS battery
that supports a full load for 15 minutes when new, will
support the same load for only about 8 minutes when
it reaches its defined "end of life".
When
your battery reaches 80% of its rated capacity, the
aging process accelarates and this is the time when
the battery should be replaced.
No
UPS battery will last forever - even one that experiences
minimal use.This is because UPS batteries are electro-chemical
devices whose ability to store and deliver power slowly
decreases over time.So, even if you follow all the guidelines
for proper storage temperature and maintenance, you
still must replace them after a certain period of time.
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One
of the batteries has failed in the UPS battery bank, is
it alright to replace just one battery? |
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If
the batteries are less than twelve months old then the
failure could be due to a manufacturing or material fault.
In this instance the failed battery can be replaced after
confirmation by testing the whole battery bank.
In general once the batteries are over twelve months old,
the failure is more likely to be due to age, environment
or usage and the whole bank should be replaced. Failure
to replace the whole bank could result in the new battery
not being charged properly and your load being at risk
if any or all of the older batteries fail. |
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How
do I maintain and service the batteries and the UPS? |
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Gradual
decrease in battery life can be periodically monitored
and evaluated by :
- Voltage checks
- Load testing
- Checking for proper battery connections
- Checking for battery water (in case of Automative batteries)
Without regular maintenance and service checks, your UPS
battery may experience:
- Heat-generating resistance at the terminals
- Improper loading
- Reduced protection
- Premature failure or reduced backup |
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How
long can I leave the UPS switched off without damaging
the batteries ? |
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As
long as the batteries are fully charged when the unit
is switched off they will not require charging for three
months.
Cold
start feature of Power Pack Line Interactive UPS isolates
the batteries from the UPS circuit and thus the UPS
can be switched off for longer period (six months approx.)
without damaging the batteries. |
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How
do I know what to buy ? |
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Following
parameters should be considered before buying
- Company reliability, experience, stability, customer
service.
- Technology and features.
- Price and performance. |
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UP |
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What
are the right steps to install Line- Interactive UPS?
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Recharge
the UPS for at least 8 hrs before the first operation.
Every UPS passes the quality examination before it is
shipped out of factory. These QC parameters consumes the
battery power of UPS. We strongly suggest users to recharge
the UPS before using it at every first time to make sure
that battery is in fully charged condition. |
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UP |
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Which
technology does Su-Kam use? |
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Su-Kam
is using the PWM Technology.The term PWM as used by us
refers to pulse width modulation. |
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UP |
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There
are other manufacturers of similar equipment. What is
so special about Su-Kam systems? |
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One
is right when one says "similar". The reason is that
the equipment manufactured by Su-Kam uses pulse width
modulation technique with transistor/ IGBT/ MOSFET as
the basic inversion element.There is no chance of the
fuse blowing during sudden load application due to commutation
failure. That means less down time and assured power
supply. Due to PWM technique the size of the filter
is also small which further improves the dynamic behavior.
We guarantee an inversion efficiency of more than 90
- 92% . High efficiency also results in smaller size.
Our equipment is the smallest for a given rating, it
occupies minimum floor space and can be installed very
easily. A very generous design imparts tremendous short
term overload capacity to our equipment which is essential
to take care of large inrush and surge currents demanded
by computer devices. |
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How
cost effective is the investment in an UPS system? |
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It
is really quite simple. If you consider the average time
lost & multiply it by the cost of computer time which
you already know you will arrive at the direct loss. This,
however, does not take into account indirect losses like
job scheduling, trouble shooting, as well as corruption
of files and damage to electronic circuits. If you take
all these into account , definitely a Su-Kam system will
pay for itself in less than one year. |
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What
type of topologies are employed in ON-LINE UPS configurations? |
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To
satisfy the requirements of various applications and from
the view point of criticality in operation, different
topologies are employed in ONLINE UPS. The complexity
and sophestication increases in ascending order.
HOT STAND TYPE CONFIGURATION
This
configuration comprises of two units of UPS's (named UPS1
& UPS2). When UPS1 is delivering power to the load,
UPS2 remains idle. In case of failure in the inverter
of UPS1, static switch is enabled thereby providing uninterrupted
power to the load through UPS2. UPS1 runs in synchronism
with UPS2, ensuring no break transfer from UPS1 to UPS2.
Under healthy conditions, the batteries get charged through
their corresponding rectifiers.
PARALLEL REDUNDANT CONFIGURATION
UPS1
& UPS2 are paralleled together through a paralleling
unit. The output load is shared equally (50%) by both
the UPSs under healthy conditions. Both the UPS systems
are synchronized with bypass. Upon failure of UPS1, the
entire load is taken care off by UPS2 & vice versa.
The bypass static switch is enabled only when the both
UPS systems fail, providing immediate power to load. The
batteries are independently charged through their respective
rectifiers.
Truth
Table:
| b |
Static
Switch |
Result |
| UPS1
& 2 healthy |
OFF |
Load
is shared in equal propotion (50%) by
both UPS. |
| UPS1
healthy & UPS2 trip |
OFF |
UPS1
handles entire load |
| UPS2
healthy & UPS1 trip |
OFF |
UPS2
handles entire load |
| UPS1
& 2 trip |
ON |
Load
works on Bypass |
|
CRITICAL
NON-CRITICAL SYSTEM
UPS1
& UPS2 deliver power to the critical & non-critical
loads respectively under healthy conditions. UPS1 synchronizes
with UPS2 & UPS2 synchronizes with the bypass. In
case of a critical inverter failure, critical load works
on UPS2 through enabled STSW1, simultaneously transferring
the non-critical load to Bypass by activating STSW3
& inhibiting STSW2. The restoration of the critical
inverter will be responsible for retransferring the
loads of their corresponding inverters. The batteries
are charged through their corresponding rectifiers.
Truth
Table:
| b |
STSW1 |
STSW2 |
STSW3 |
Result |
| UPS1
& 2 healthy |
OFF |
ON |
OFF |
Critical
load on UPS1
Non Critical load on UPS2 |
| Inv.1
trip & UPS2 healthy |
ON |
OFF |
ON |
Critical
load on UPS2
Non Critical load on Bypass |
| Inv.2
trip & UPS1 healthy |
OFF |
OFF |
ON |
UPS2
handles entire load |
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UP |
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Is
Online UPS better ? |
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Online
UPS provides better overall power protection to your
computers and peripherals. This protection includes
power conditioning, regulated voltage and frequency
and zero transfer time to battery during mains failure.
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UP |
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How
do I install my Online UPS?
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Online
UPS needs to be installed under supervision of a qualified
technician.
Your supplier of JET Online UPS can install it for you.
Su-Kam also provides necessary assistance to your electrical
contractor. |
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UP |
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What
about After Sales Services? |
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Every
UPS needs to be serviced every 6 months to ensure its
proper operation and battery condition.
We are proud of our reputation for customer service
We have a range of maintenance plans to suit every customer
requirements from simpler repair to annual service contracts
with guaranteed response time.
And
every customer of Su-Kam has free access to our customer
support.
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What
is Load Crest Factor? |
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A
pure sine waveform has a peak value, which is 1.414
times the RMS value indicated on a voltmeter. A resistance
or any linear load connected to such a voltage source
draws currents having similar waveforms and hence has
a crest factor of 1.4. As against this, the non-linear
loads as described above may demand currents whose peak
value to RMS ratios are 2 to 5 or more. This ratio of
peak to RMS is termed as the crest factor, and is indicative
of the degree of non-linear load handling capability
of the UPS. |
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UP |
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What
is Static Regulation? |
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A
regulated voltage source such as inverter section of
ON-LINE UPS is expected to maintain the voltage at a
predefined level, irrespective of changes in supply,
1.e. DC input voltage or load current levels. The percentage
deviation of the output, as a result of load or dc input
change, after the output voltage has settled to a new
level is defined as the static or steady state regulation.
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UP |
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What
is Dynamic or Transient Regulation? |
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The
percentage deviation of the output from its steady state
value immediately following a disturbance such as sudden
change of DC supply voltage or load current is termed
as dynamic/transient regulation. This deviation is generally
much larger than the steady state value specified as
voltage regulation, and incidentally is a measure of
the speed of response of inverter control system. Since
by defination this is a transient quantity, not only
the deviation but the time to bring the voltage back
to the steady state regulation level is also an important
index of performance. Su-Kam's Online UPS have the Dynamic
Regulation on Output voltage. |
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