Modular UPS solutions enable organizations to simply, and cost effectively, increase their UPS power, improve availability and enjoy the long‐term benefits of scalable UPS solutions that can grow in sensible incremental steps as the organization grows.
The modular and scalable UPS solutions are the most innovative in terms of concept and functionality.
What is modular type ups
The extreme flexibility means that capacity can adapt to load evolutions, providing unique supply availability via N+1redundancy and hot swap operations and maintenance. The removal or addition of modules can be carried out whilst the system is running (hot swap) without affecting the general operation of the installation.
In environments where total reliability is of great importance, a single UPS can be a single point of failure that can also disrupt many other systems.
To provide greater reliability, multiple smaller UPS modules and batteries can be integrated together to provide redundant power protection equivalent to one very large UPS with additional modules to provide redundancy if there is failure of one of the modules. In this way, failure of one module will not impact system or site operation.
For example; if 100KVA is maximum load then 2 x 100KVA systems will be required as a bare minimum, this is without taking into consideration efficiency of load or growth. A unique scalable solution is provided by a Modular UPS approach.
A Modular UPS is generally based on a rack type enclosure that includes battery cabinet at its bottom or in a separate rack, and hot swappable modules located one above the other, which can be added whenever more power is required, or greater level of redundancy is required.
10 benefits of Modular UPS
- REDUNDANCY
All UPS systems are designed to work continuously during life time of UPS. Thereby minimising failure. The general idea being, the more modules with free and spare capacity, then there is a greater the level of redundancy. For example, if a load is 100KVA and the modular UPS provided is rated at 120KVA UPS populated by 30KVA power module, then the end result will be N+2. By adding further modules then you can increase the redundancy aspect, thereby reducing the possibility of total UPS failure.
2. LOWER COST OF INSTALLATION
Modular UPS can in many instances be more cost effective than installing parallel or scalable UPS systems. For example, if the requirement is for 100KVA with N+1 redundancy, then a modular solution will be 120KVA made up of 6 x 20KVA modules as opposed to 2 x free standing 100KVA UPS systems. The cost of installation will also be lower.
3. LOWEST FLOOR SPACE, COMPARED TO OTHER SCALABLE / PARALLEL SOLUTIONS
Conventional UPS systems take up more space due to the fact they are typically extended horizontally on the floor. The modular UPS typically increases typically vertically in the rack. Thereby using less floor space. Secondly, less UPS batteries need to be used if the conventional UPS has separate battery cabinets.
4. GREATER LEVEL OF EFFICIENCY WITH SCALABLE LOAD
A UPS is generally not working at its best when running at 100% load. With a modular UPS by maintaining a high ratio of load to UPS capability will mean that the UPS is working in its most efficient way. For example, if the load is 60-70KVA, then we would recommend that the UPS if in modular format should be 80KVA with one extra 20KVA module, providing a total of 100KVA.
5. REDUCTION OF FAILURE DURING MAINTENANCE / SUPER-FAST REPLACEMENT (MTTR)
A typical standalone UPS system will go onto bypass during failure or overload etc. The UPS will generally have to be isolated during repair or technical evaluation to assess the unit. Once assessed and problem found on the failed UPS there is time for part replacement, and if part is not available then further time is required when parts are available and sent to site.
With a modular unit, the faulty module is simply removed and replaced with a new system. This action can take literally seconds as the faulty module will removed and replaced during live conditions so there is no loss of power or loss of UPS backup. Many manufacturers of modular UPS systems however, still have a singular point of failure on the system itself and that is by having a singular static switch. If this fails, then the system fails. Power Sonic provide modular UPS systems with static switches built into each module.
6. LOWER COST OF BATTERIES
A Modular UPS will as a general rule of thumb, have a centralised battery which is shared by the modules. With a standalone / parallel UPS there is a need to have 2 x separate batteries covering each UPS, thereby increasing battery costs.
7. LOWER COST OF REPAIR
In the event of catastrophic failure of standalone / Parallel UPS and the system has to be replaced in its entirety due to parts not being available or replacement not being available, compared to catastrophic failure of one module then the costs will typically be 10-20 times in comparison to a single module replacement.
8. GET MORE POWER FROM SAME INFRASTRUCTURE
If, for example, your site is cabled and capable of supporting 2 x 100KVA parallel standalone UPS systems, therefore the load you anticipate putting onto the UPS must not be greater than 100KVA. Otherwise you will not get redundancy, or alternatively you will overload each UPS. With a modular system if you are aiming to get redundancy you will only need to add 1 x additional module to achieve this.
For example, if you require redundancy and have chosen a 20KVA scalable modular system, all you will need to do is add 1 x additional 20KVA module. So, based on the example above against 2 x 100KVA systems you will simply have a 120KVA modular system.
Furthermore, if your site is already capable of being able to support 2 x 100KVA parallel UPS systems, then a modular UPS will enable you to have full usage of the infrastructure and enable power growth up to 200KVA rather than 100KVA full load scenario.
9. LOWER COST OF OWNERSHIP OVER LIFETIME
A singular Modular UPS system will simply cost less to run than if 2 x Parallel UPS systems are running at the same time. For example, if the site has 80KVA load and a 100KVA modular system is purchased then the running costs will less than if the site had purchased 2 x 80KVA standalone parallel systems. A standalone solution may cost more than double to run over the lifetime. Depending on your electricity tariffs the UPS company can provide details of how much energy is used in every scenario and cost. We can save your site money. We can also recommend other factors on site such as power factor correction and carbon reduction via carbon off set.
10. DELIVERY, OFFLOADING AND POSITIONING
A standalone or parallel UPS is one unit and can be problematic when delivering on site. They can be very large as well as heavy. This can reduce costs on delivery as well as making sites more accessible.
Monitoring becomes particularly complex when an IT department manages multiple locations. If the operator needs to maintain a clear overview of systems made by different manufacturers, the challenge is even greater. In such cases, cloud solutions, such as MoniUPS from AEG Power Solutions, are invaluable. As the software is hosted in the cloud, there are no installation or maintenance costs. A single interface for all shared UPS systems streamlines configuration significantly and reduces the amount of employee training required.