UPS Buying Guide

In this age of digital transformation, when you&#;re increasingly relying on IT systems and data to keep your business running at peak efficiency, it&#;s more important than ever to ensure those systems can function even in the face of power disruptions.

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That&#;s what uninterruptible power supplies (UPSs) are all about: supplying clean backup power to IT and other critical systems. In the face of a power disruption, a quality UPS can mean the difference between business as usual and lost data and hours of lost productivity.

UPSs can provide anywhere from a few minutes of backup power &#; enough to safely shut down workstations and servers or allow backup generators to kick in. Understanding how to choose a UPS that&#;s the best fit for your organization requires having a firm handle on how much power your IT and other critical systems draw and your tolerance for downtime for each application.

In this UPS buying guide, we&#;ll walk you through the UPS essentials and the buying criteria you need to consider to make an informed decision for your organization.

UPS Definition

An uninterruptible power supply (UPS) provides clean, safe backup power for the attached electronic equipment. UPSs have internal batteries that are constantly being charged when not in use, so they&#;re ready to supply backup power in the event of a utility power outage or disruption. Additionally, UPSs can detect and compensate for anomalies such as power sags and surges, which are temporary power fluctuations that can damage attached computers and other electronics.

Different UPS models are designed to protect devices, including computers and peripherals, servers, and networking equipment, as well as data centers.

The best UPS battery backup solution for your organization depends on your specific requirements in terms of the loads you need to protect and tolerance for the risk of downtime.

Cost of downtime

While the cost of downtime varies widely by industry, 86% of respondents to a Statista survey put the cost at $301,000 per hour or more, and more than a third (34%) said downtime cost them $1 million per hour or more.

From that perspective, a relatively modest investment in a UPS is like an insurance policy against far more costly downtime and data loss.

Types of power disruptions UPSs protect against

UPSs protect against downtime caused by various kinds of power disruptions, including:

• Power surges: Surges are short bursts of power that can result from a number of external and internal sources:
  • External: Utility maintenance work, lightning strikes, and power line disruptions, such as from snowstorms, downed tree limbs and transformer problems
  • Internal: Routine on/off cycling of motors in machinery, air conditioning and refrigeration units and more, as well as faulty wiring
• Brownouts: which are reductions in the flow of utility power during high-demand periods
• Unplanned power outages can result from issues including:
  • Lightning
  • Natural Disasters: hurricanes, snowstorms, high-speed winds, and other weather conditions
  • Utility and construction work
  • Motor Vehicle Accidents
• Planned power outages:
  • Utility maintenance and system upgrades
  • Planned outages are now occurring in areas such as California, to protect against wildfires caused by sparks coming from utility equipment.

Buying the right UPS: Key considerations

Assessing which UPS battery backup is best for your business requires going through a series of questions regarding what equipment you need to protect, the ramifications of downtime with that equipment, whether a generator is available as a backup power source, and more.

1. Determine the size of the load that needs UPS protection, and, hence, the capacity of the UPS

Step one is assessing which IT or electronic devices warrant UPS battery backup protection and the power required by each device so that you can calculate the required UPS capacity. The power consumption of IT servers, computers and workstations, and networking equipment are obvious places to start. Still, you might also want to include other devices that are critical to the day-to-day operation of the business, e.g., point of sale equipment and security systems, among others. Assess what applications each component supports and how the loss of that application will affect your organization.

For each device to be connected to the UPS, determine the power consumption (watts) of that device.  Power consumption can typically be obtained from the equipment nameplate or manufacturer documentation.

The required UPS capacity is the sum of the power consumption of the devices to be connected to the UPS.

2. Assess the required UPS runtime for critical devices and applications

Step 2 is to determine the desired UPS runtime for continued operation in case of a power failure.

If you have a generator for extended backup power, the required runtime of the UPS may only be a few minutes (~5 minutes) to safely start-up and transition to the generator.

On the other hand, your primary goal may be to have enough runtime (~5 to 10 minutes) to safely shutdown servers and workstations to avoid any data loss or corruption.

Or, for some applications, such as networks and Internet access (very critical these days), you may want to have 1 to 2 hours of runtime to be able to ride through most outages.

Keep in mind that, in general, the more equipment you connect to a single UPS, the shorter its overall runtime will be.  An alternative may be to use separate UPS&#; for certain applications.

3. Determine the number of outlets required

Add up the number of devices that you need the UPS to support, and make sure the UPS has enough outlets to meet your immediate needs, and also leave some room for growth.

Alternatively, you can use a power distribution unit (PDU) to provide additional outlets, but be careful not to overload the UPS.

Some UPS models also include outlets that only support surge protection.  These outlets do not provide battery backup. Make sure you understand the features of the UPS you are buying and that it has enough battery backup outlets to meet your needs.

4. Consider UPS installation requirements

UPSs come in a variety of sizes and form-factors. Tower models are standalone units that sit on the floor, or a desk or shelf, and often backup desktop computers, servers, and routers in an office environment.

Rack-mount UPS models are typically designed to fit in a standard 19-inch IT rack along with other IT equipment.  Rack-mount UPSs vary in size, and their height is measured by how many vertical slots it occupies in the rack. Each space is known as a &#;U&#; and measures 1.75 inches.

UPSs designed to use lithium-ion batteries tend to be smaller and lighter than similar models that use traditional lead-acid batteries, enabling you to fit more backup power capacity in the same space &#; or the same capacity in a smaller space.

UPS Advanced Features

UPSs can differ considerably in the exact set of features they support. The following are additional common features found in modern UPSs that you may want to consider.

Remote Monitoring and Management

UPSs with built-in network ports or support for network management cards (NMCs) can be monitored and managed remotely. This is especially important for UPSs installed in branch offices or edge locations with limited or no IT staff on site.  In this case, a centralized IT or facilities group can monitor the status of all UPSs and be notified of issues such as batteries that need replacement. NMCs may also support environmental sensors, enabling the remote monitoring of conditions such as temperature and humidity.

Remote UPS Outlet Control

Some UPS models include outlets or outlet groups that can be managed remotely, including the ability to monitor energy usage, and cycle power or turn off these outlets or outlet groups. This can enable someone in a remote operation center to reboot a hung server or network switch, for example.

LCD Control Panel

From a local perspective, an LCD screen on the UPS can display useful information such as battery health and power conditions, and facilitate local management and control of the UPS.

User Replaceable Batteries

No battery lasts forever, and UPS batteries are no exception. But given that the main purpose of a UPS is to ensure uptime, UPS battery replacement must be a quick and easy process.  Consider models that feature a removable panel that makes it easy for the user to replace the batteries, rather than having to call in a service technician.

Lithium-ion Batteries

Lithium-ion batteries are becoming more common in UPSs and for a good reason. They can easily last twice as long as traditional lead-acid batteries yet weigh far less and take up less space. They also support faster charging and more charge/discharge cycles. In many cases, the lower total cost of ownership (TCO) of a UPS with lithium-ion batteries will make them well worth the additional up-front cost. (To learn more, visit our Lithium-ion Batteries page.)

Extended Runtime

Some UPS models support external battery packs that can provide extended runtime beyond what a UPS&#;s internal battery offers, enabling users to get potentially hours of battery backup time for critical loads.

ECO-mode for Energy Savings

UPS Eco-mode seeks to save energy by bypassing the voltage regulation and/or energy conversion processes of the UPS if it determines that the utility input power is of good quality, to save energy.

We hope this UPS buying guide has helped you understand how to choose a UPS that will serve you well for the long-term. To learn more about choosing the best UPS battery backup solution for your organization, visit https://www.vertiv.com/en-asia/products-catalog/critical-power/uninterruptible-power-supplies-ups/.

Uninterruptible Power Supplies (UPS) provide backup power to electronic equipment in the event of a power outage or other power-related issues. Solutions like a UPS battery backup ensure that devices such as computers, servers, and other critical systems continue to operate without interruption for a few seconds or minutes while a generator comes online, preventing data loss and hardware damage.

You must choose a UPS backup solution that fits your facility&#;s unique needs. Keep reading to learn more about factors to consider when selecting a UPS backup system.

Understanding Your Power Needs

It&#;s essential to know your power needs before you can choose a UPS backup system for your operation. Ideally, you should use a power meter to measure the voltage and amperage of critical equipment. Alternatively, you can consult the owner&#;s manuals for voltage and volt-amp (VA) ratings.

When assessing the power load for a UPS system, add the power (VA) ratings of the equipment you want to support. Then, add at least a 10% buffer to ensure your UPS backup system can meet your expectations.

Types of UPS Systems

There are three major types of UPS systems to consider:

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Standby UPS

Standby UPS, also known as offline UPS, is designed to provide basic backup power and protection to electronics devices. In normal operation, a Standby UPS supplies power directly to the equipment and charges its internal batteries. If the UPS detects an input power failure, it quickly switches to its internal battery and an inverter converts DC power into AC power to supply connected devices.

Advantages / Limitations

Generally, Standby UPS are less expensive than other types of UPS. They are very easy to install and operate and designed to be compact. Most of them include surge protection.

Standby UPS systems may not handle all power disturbances as well as other types. They provide a minimum backup time to allow for proper shutdown. Most models have a switching delay to battery, which is fast enough to protect most equipment.

Typical Applications

Standby UPS systems are usually found in homes or small offices to protect computers, network equipment and peripherals. Most standby UPS systems are rated for 1,500VA or lower.

Line-Interactive UPS

Line-interactive UPS provides enhanced power protection and voltage regulations compared to Standby UPS. It is designed to handle a wider variety of power disturbances, making it suitable for sensitive and critical applications. It also relies on its internal batteries to power the load in case of an outage or input power fluctuations.

Advantages / Limitations

Line-Interactive UPS are better at reacting to power disturbances than Standby UPS and can maintain constant output voltage without battery usage. They offer a good tradeoff between cost and performance.
They still provide a limited amount of backup time and may not be suitable for most sensitive equipment.

Typical Applications

You can find line-interactive UPS systems rated for up to 5,000VA, making them suitable for larger offices, businesses with on-site servers, networking equipment and point-of-sales (POS) systems.

Online Double-Conversion UPS

Double Conversion UPS systems, also known as Online UPS, provide the highest level of protection to critical loads by continuously converting incoming power from AC to DC and then back to DC, while charging its batteries. Online UPS ensure a consistent and clean power output to most sensitive loads.

Advantages / Limitations

Double Conversion UPS provides output power without any interruption and zero transfer time to batteries in case of a power failure. They are ideal for environments where power quality and reliability are vital. Online UPS can be configured with longer backup time than any other UPS types.

Generally, this type of UPS is more expensive due to its advanced features, and may provide lower efficiency than the UPS previously mentioned. They also tend to have a larger footprint.

Typical Applications

Most common applications are critical systems such as data centers, telecom, medical equipment and industrial operations. Online UPS are rated from 5,000VA up to 1.5MW.

Runtime Requirements

How long do you want your UPS backup to power equipment?

If you have an on-site generator, you might only need the UPS backup system to operate for a few minutes while your generator comes online. If the UPS is relying exclusively on its battery backup system, then you will likely want to maximize battery runtime.

Most smaller UPS (up to 60kVA) are configured with internal batteries, while larger UPS require external batteries for backup. The amount of runtime needed is highly dependent on the load applied to the UPS.

As UPS battery technology evolves, different types of batteries are becoming more prevalent outside of traditional lead acid batteries. You may want to consider a move to lithium-ion batteries to reduce overall footprint and weight, while increasing the life of the battery by 2-3x compared to lead acid.

To perform a UPS runtime calculation, multiply the UPS system&#;s battery capacity (in Ah) by the battery rating (in V) by the battery efficiency (in %). Then, divide that amount by your equipment&#;s power requirements (in W).

You can also use the Global Power solution calculator.

If a system can&#;t meet your runtime requirements, look for an option with a larger capacity.

Battery Performance and Management

Battery performance and capacity can degrade over time due a few factors, such as temperature, number of discharges and aging, even when you are not using your UPS system very often. Preventive maintenance of a UPS keeps your system in excellent condition, so you can rely on it when you most need it.

Global Power Supply offers preventative maintenance for long-term UPS reliability.

UPS System Scalability and Flexibility

As organizations increasingly adopt digitalization, electricity usage will likely increase. That makes it important to consider UPS system scalability when choosing solutions for your facility.

Modular USP backups make it possible for businesses to scale as their power needs evolve. If you prefer a standalone USP backup, choose one that will meet your estimated power needs a decade from now.

UPS Warranty and Support Services

Warranties can vary significantly depending on the product, manufacturer, and vendor you choose.

Most UPS manufacturers will offer 3-year to 5-year warranties. You can potentially get an extended warranty from a vendor, which will cover your UPS for a longer period of time.

It&#;s important to read the warranty carefully to understand what is included. Some will replace equipment that malfunctions within a certain amount of time while others will repair malfunctioning items.

The warranty should also outline your responsibilities as a user. If you violate the terms, you could invalidate the agreement.

Environmental Considerations

Environmental considerations to think about when choosing a UPS system include:

• How much heat the system will produce and whether you have a way to keep it cool (battery lifespans can shorten in conditions over 77F (25C)).
• How much noise the system creates and whether it will interfere with your operations.
• Does the system&#;s operational efficiency help you reduce energy usage and curb greenhouse gas emissions?
• Do you have the correct space available to house the UPS system?

These aren&#;t easy questions to answer, so you might want to have an expert perform a power system evaluation before you invest in a UPS.

Cost Considerations

The total cost of ownership for UPS will exceed the amount of money you spend buying the equipment. Some experts estimate that the purchase cost accounts for 25% to 40% of the total cost of ownership. Other cost considerations include:

• Installation, start-up and commissioning services
• Energy efficiency (more efficient systems usually have lower long-term costs)
• Battery replacement cycle
• Project management
• Integrating with existing systems
• Performance monitoring (onsite or remote)
• Uninterruptible power supply maintenance and repairs

Get Custom UPS Recommendations From GPS

Obviously, there are a lot of factors to consider before investing in UPS backup solutions. Contact Global Power Solutions today to speak with an expert who can help you select a system that matches your business&#;s needs.

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