Where should your uninterruptible power supply be located?

Your uninterruptible power supply (UPS) must be positioned somewhere safe, secure and accessible. In this article, we explore the fundamentals of UPS room layout and the things you need to consider when deciding where to locate your essential power protection systems.

What is an uninterruptible power supply (UPS)?

Many businesses opt for an Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) for vital backup power when the mains or regular supplier fails. Having an Uninterruptible Power Supply in place and properly set up means, as the name suggests, no interruption in power before your standby generator can kick in.

Do you need an uninterruptible power supply?

An uninterruptible power supply will provide years of reliable service if it is installed correctly and maintained. Whether your server room or datacentre has single or three phase UPS systems, similar planning is required to ensure that the UPS is installed correctly and powers all the loads it is expected to.

What is the critical power path within a ups installation?

The critical power path within a UPS installation runs from the loads connected to the power distribution units (PDUs) to the UPS that power the PDUs and to the UPS electrical supplies and potentially the building incomer. Planning how to power the loads from the uninterruptible power supply is an important exercise.

How do you Power an uninterruptible power supply?

Planning how to power the loads from the uninterruptible power supply is an important exercise. Smaller single-phase UPS use rear panel IEC type connectors to which PDUs, or a UPS maintenance bypass switch can be connected. If a UPS maintenance bypass switch is installed the PDU and load connection may be via a sub-distribution board.

What should I consider when planning an UPS system?

When planning your UPS system and deciding on a configuration, it’s crucial to consider potential growth plans. When calculating the size of your UPS, consider the likely growth of the business and the supporting infrastructure the UPS may be called upon to power in an emergency.