Ensuring uninterrupted power is a vital part of any organisation’s BM-N3 (25TH) business continuity planning and can be achieved with the correct deployment of a suitable uninterruptible power supply (UPS). Different types of UPS can be used as stand-alone solutions or in conjunction with one another other. The three main static UPS topologies are as follows: Online (‘On-line’) or Double Conversion VFI (Voltage and Frequency Independent), Line Interactive VI (Voltage Independent) and Offline (‘Off-line’) or Passive Standby.
So what are the main characteristics of an Online UPS? The only UPS for completely break-free supply An online uninterruptible power supply (UPS) maintains power voltage and frequency variations within prescribed limits and is independent of any fluctuation in supply. It’s not just complete power failure that can affect a modern power-hungry business. The online UPS also conditions mains power to counter the potentially damaging consequences of sags, surges and other everyday power problems.
Because of this combined power protection and power conditioning capability, the online UPS is the preferred choice for critical data and voice processing systems and remote mobile telecommunication sites where there may be a high risk of damage from local lightning strikes and high-energy transients. Furthermore, an online UPS can also act as a frequency converter providing 50/60Hz or 60/50Hz. There are also solutions for 400Hz applications.
Of the three main UPS topologies, the online uninterruptible power supply is the only one that can provide completely break-free protection if the mains supply should fail. And, in the event of the UPS developing a fault or suffering an overload, the online UPS is designed to deliver safe failure to mains. This is achieved through an automatic system bypass.
