Online UPS provide the ultimate form of uninterruptible power with a digitally generated sinewave output supply, the ability provide back-up for long duration runtimes and a built-in automatic static bypass. Online UPS can be single or three phase, with online three phase systems capable of running in parallel/ redundant (N+X) configurations for added resilience and scalability.
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There are several key choices to make when it comes to selecting the right uninterruptible power supply to install with a server rack. These include not only the topology but the load size, form factor, runtime, access for maintenance and connectivity.
Power supply design is one of the key decisions that must be taken whenever building a new server room or refurbishing and existing one. There are several elements to consider even for a single stack rack cabinet if you are to ensure that your server installation can run through power outages.
The inverter section of an double or triple conversion online uninterruptible power supply is designed for continuous running and the powering of the connected load. This features allows the UPS to be connected to battery extension packs for long runtime applications up to seven hours or more. Some smaller online UPS may be restricted to 4hours on battery at full load in order to protect the inverter electronics from heat damage.
An on-line double conversion UPS is a Voltage and Frequency Independent (VFI) uninterruptible power supply as defined by BS EN 62040. The inverter in this type of UPS produces a digitally generated sinewave output, supplied from a DC rectifier supply. The DC rectifier/converter supplies DC power to the inverter from the rectified mains power supply or the connected battery set.
The term ‘double-conversion’ online UPS refers to the conversion of mains power supply AC (alternating current) by the rectifier/converter to a DC (direct current) to supply the inverter and charge the battery set. The inverter section to which the load is always connected ‘inverts’ the DC to AC. The AC-DC-AC process is described as ‘double conversion’. There is also a Triple Conversion online UPS mode for some designs covering AC-DC-DC-AC where the DC-DC is a converter.
