DATA CENTER
ESSENTIALS
Introduction to the components that support a
data center and how they work together
Part E3: Electrical >
UPS Systems
UPS Systems Agenda
• Purpose
UPS Systems • Types
Overview • Basic Layouts
• Batteries
• ATS
UPS Equipment • Flywheel
• Rotary
• Eco mode &
Challenges
UPS Efficiency • Advanced eco
mode
Terms to Understand
Term Definition
UPS Uninterruptable Power Supply
PF Power Factor
DC Direct Current power, such as provided by
batteries
AC Alternating Current power, such as provided
by utilities
ATS Automatic Transfer Switch
Data center power path
Generators Switchgear Uninterruptable Power Remote Rack
Power Supply Distribution Unit Power Panel PDU
& distribution (UPS) (PDU) (RPP)
Utility
Utility
Data center electrical path
• UPS
• Purposes & operation
• Batteries
• Flywheels, rotary, etc.
DATA CENTER
ESSENTIALS
UPS systems Overview
UPS System overview
Uninterruptable Power Supply
(UPS) systems are primarily
installed to ensure that critical
loads are provided with power
reliably.
Typical UPS
system
components
Static UPS
Common types:
• Standby: for workstations or desktops, 2 kVA
maximum Double Conversion
• Line interactive: Often used for Rack mount UPS
UPS units. Common size under 5kVA
• Power is converted
• Double conversion:
from AC to DC then
• Most common type above 10 kVA.
back to AC
• The primary output path is the inverter
• Usually 3-phase
• Rack mounted or freestanding
Primary Purpose of UPS Systems
The UPS ensures Voltage that does not
that critical loads are drop more than 20%
not affected during an for more than about 8
outage milliseconds
Usually this is by
providing power from Dip in AC power on
Damaging surge
a separate source all three phases
voltages are filtered
such as batteries or a
flywheel
Secondary Purpose of UPS Systems
Provide power conditioning (clean power)
Isolate from other electrical loads (motors)
Utility Power Issues
Manage separately derived power sources
Load
UPS equipment
DATA CENTER
ESSENTIALS
UPS Equipment
UPS equipment
Two • Freestanding: Power
Major to multiple racks or
rows
Form • Rack Mount: In the IT
Factors rack close to servers
Switches, batteries, chargers,
controls and more may be included
Static UPS
N +1 UPS
Static
Bypass
DC Storage
Maintenance
Bypass
Activity
Recreate a UPS system diagram using
the components and lines below.
UPS System Maintenance
UPS failures account for about 25% of all data center outages. Maintaining the UPS
system is crucial to addressing issues and rely on them when needed in an emergency.
ATS
An automatic transfer
switch (ATS) operates to
transfer load from one
source to another,
usually during an outage
Battery UPS
Battery • Strict temperature requirements
• Ventilated to prevent hydrogen
rooms buildup
• Acid spill mitigation
Flywheel UPS
Higher CAPEX over batteries,
Kinetic energy is stored in the
however savings in space,
form of a spinning mass in a
battery maintenance, battery
motor-generator and converted
replacement, containment,
to electric power when needed
monitoring, etc.
Considered more reliable than Typical payback is 5-10 years.
batteries.
Rotary UPS
Outputs power through integrated motor/generator
Used in blocks of 500 kW and above; Rarely used in data centers below 1MW
Major brands: Hitec & Piller
Rotary backup power
A flywheel rotary UPS system is installed to replace backup batteries.
DATA CENTER
ESSENTIALS
UPS Efficiency
UPS Efficiency
Low IT Load = Low UPS load = Low efficiency
UPS Eco Mode
The load is powered
Can expose the critical
through the bypass The inverter is in
load to the
path, avoiding the standby; it only engages
unconditioned utility
rectifier and inverter to on loss of utility power
power
eliminate losses
Eco Mode normal
state is to bypass
Rectifier & Inverter
UPS Eco Mode Challenges
Sensitivity should be adjusted for each service
• Too high = overreaction and activates the inverter too often
• Too low = may take too long to react
• Not standardized for vendors; may operate differently
Transfer time over
16 milliseconds
Advanced Eco Mode
Inverter is still Operates in parallel with the bypass without having
active any load
Faster reaction Efficiency is reduced however reduces reaction time
considerably
Transfer time is reduced
to 6 milliseconds
Activity
Move each item to the True or False Column
True Eco mode installation costs twice
False
as much as standard
Eco mode provides power
conditioning
Eco mode improves efficiency by
reducing electrical energy losses
Eco mode increases reliability
Eco mode improves the PUE of
a data center
Eco mode decreases rectifier
and inverter lifespan
Eco mode bypasses the rectifier
and inverter
Eco mode decreases
operational costs
End of presentation
DATA CENTER
ESSENTIALS
Part E3: Electrical >
UPS Systems
