UPS for industrial applications: How to choose the best quality systems?
Today’s industrial plants are less prone to failure than the industry of the past. The new industrial plant has variable frequency drives (VFDs), computer robots, and more complicated computer-controlled processes like 3D printing. Accordingly, the need for high-quality power systems has become more important than ever. Below, learn how to choose the best power systems for your industrial facility, including specific products, factors to consider, and more.
Which power backup system do I choose for my industrial facility?
The answer to this question depends on what type of processes you have. And in many cases, there is a 2- or 3-part answer. Many industrial facilities require a computer processing component, the physical manufacturing component, and then an additional cooling or fan component. The final choice of the right power solution depends on which of these components you want to back up.
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Determining the best UPS type for your facility.
A traditional UPS system, originally designed for data centers, is well suited to support computer processes that are integrated into the manufacturing process. However, it is not capable of supporting mechanical and physical process loads or high inrush loads such as cooling systems. A combination of systems is needed to support all loads deemed critical in the facility.
You can choose from three categories of investors:
– Traditional IGBT Data Center Inverter – Insulated gate bipolar solid-state inverter system is the standard for today’s data center inverter systems. It offers a smaller footprint than its predecessor “transformer-based UPS”. It is more efficient and emits less heat. Therefore, your traditional UPS system solution will use this technology. It is specially design for IT loads.
– Traditional IGBT Data Center Inverter – Insulated gate bipolar solid-state inverter system is the standard for today’s data center inverter systems. It requires less space than its predecessor, the “transformer-based UPS”. It is more efficient and emits less heat. Therefore, your traditional UPS system solution will use this technology. It is specially design for IT loads.
– Traditional IGBT Data Center Inverter – Insulated gate bipolar solid-state inverter system is the standard for today’s data center inverter systems. It requires less space than its predecessor, the “transformer-based UPS”. It is more efficient and emits less heat. Therefore, your traditional UPS system solution will use this technology. It is specially design for IT loads.
Sizing, planning, and installing industrial systems
How do I size an industrial UPS system?
Sizing an industrial UPS system depends on several components:
- available electrical power at your facility.
- load characteristics of the supporting equipment.
- growth projection for the supported loads to meet future demand.
For several reasons, you should avoid “undersizing” or sizing a system too close to the size of the supported loads. All systems must be oversized to some degree. For example, if you choose a UPS that is too close to the size of the loads it supports, your system will run near full capacity, which can put unnecessary stress on equipment and shorten the life of the system. Proper load analysis, full load support, and the dynamic nature of the loads all contribute to a sizing decision.
How do I plan an industrial UPS system?
The planning process includes an analysis of the space, the location of the electrical system, and how the system will distribute support to the protected loads.
In terms of location, there are several ways to install your UPS. You can install a local UPS system directly on the equipment you want to protect. Another method is you can also install a larger system at the power distribution site. You can size an industrial UPS system to support your entire facility at the utility entrance. This will give you the best value for your money and allow you to power all the loads in the facility.
Installation of an industrial UPS system
A licensed electrical contractor is required to design the installation and install the properly sized distribution breakers upstream of the system. It is recommended to install a maintenance bypass system to be able to bypass the UPS system in case of maintenance, repair, or replacement without interrupting the supported loads. The environment should consider as the UPS and batteries require a suitable temperature range in the facility. In some cases, a separate enclosure or room is build to provide cooling and clean air. To separate the UPS system and batteries from the industrial environment, outdoor enclosures are suitable and available.
