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Types of Uninterruptible Power Supply

The document discusses different types of uninterruptible power supplies (UPS). A UPS provides emergency power from batteries to critical loads when utility power fails. It can power a load for a few minutes until a generator starts. UPS systems are used to protect computers and data centers from power disruptions. The three main types are offline UPS, online UPS, and line interactive UPS. Offline UPS passes input power until failure, then switches to inverter power. Online UPS always uses an inverter for output and cleans waveforms. Line interactive UPS has an inverter always connected but only active during failures.

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0% found this document useful (0 votes)
73 views5 pages

Types of Uninterruptible Power Supply

The document discusses different types of uninterruptible power supplies (UPS). A UPS provides emergency power from batteries to critical loads when utility power fails. It can power a load for a few minutes until a generator starts. UPS systems are used to protect computers and data centers from power disruptions. The three main types are offline UPS, online UPS, and line interactive UPS. Offline UPS passes input power until failure, then switches to inverter power. Online UPS always uses an inverter for output and cleans waveforms. Line interactive UPS has an inverter always connected but only active during failures.

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Soni
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© All Rights Reserved
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ROHINI COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING & TECHNOLOGY

5.3 UNINTERRUPTIBLE POWER SUPPLY (UPS)


Electrical apparatus that provides emergency power to a load when the input power
source, typically the utility mains, fails. A UPS differs from an auxiliary or emergency
power system or standby generator in that it will provide near-instantaneous protection
from input power interruptions, by supplying energy stored in batteries, super-capacitors,
or flywheels. The on-battery runtime of most uninterruptible power sources is relatively
short (only a few minutes) but sufficient to start a standby power source or properly shut
down the protected equipment. A UPS is typically used to protect hardware such as
computers, data centers, telecommunication equipment or other electrical equipment
where an unexpected power disruption could cause injuries, fatalities, serious business
disruption or data loss. The world's largest UPS, the 46-megawatt Battery Electric
Storage System (BESS), in Fairbanks, Alaska, powers the entire city and nearby rural
communities during outages.

Figure 5.3.1 Basic Block Diagram of UPS


[Source: “Uninterruptible Power Supply”, Mohamad Zhafran Zakariya, Page: 8]

EE8015 ELECTRIC ENERGY GENERATION, UTILIZATION AND CONSERVATION


ROHINI COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING & TECHNOLOGY

Figure 5.3.2 Basic Operation of UPS


[Source: “Uninterruptible Power Supply”, Mohamad Zhafran Zakariya, Page: 9]
TYPES OF UPS
1. Offline UPS
2. Online UPS
3. Line Interactive UPS
An Uninterrupted power supply is essentially a back-up battery to power electronic
gadgets like Computer in the event of a power failure. If it happens, the Gadget will draw
power from the UPS and will run the load for a prescribed time depending on the capacity
of the battery. The change over time from the mains to battery power is a fraction of a
second, so that the computer will not shut down. This is essential to protect the data in
the computer. Uninterrupted power supply may be AC/AC or AC/DC based on the output
power supply. In AC/AC UPS, the energy source is the AC lines and the output is exactly
the same voltage generated by the inverter. In AC/DC type, the UPS delivers DC voltage
by converting AC to DC.

EE8015 ELECTRIC ENERGY GENERATION, UTILIZATION AND CONSERVATION


ROHINI COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING & TECHNOLOGY

ONLINE UPS
Online UPS on the other hand uses an Inverter which always on to give sine wave AC in
the output socket. The incoming AC is first converted into DC by a transformer to charge
the battery as well as to give power to the inverter transformer. The inverter transformer
converts the DC to AC continuously to power the load. If power fails, the battery backup
circuit switches on and takes the load. Online UPS is more efficient than the Offline UPS
and uses a “Constant duty Inverter”. It also has a “Static bypass” system that transfers the
load to the AC power if the inverter system fails. The advantage of the Online UPS is
that, it cleans up the AC waveform by converting it into DC then reconverting this DC to
fresh AC. In this type of UPS, the system always remains on battery, whether mains ac
is present or not. When mains ac is present, it provides power to DC supply of inverter
section as well as charges the battery simultaneously. When mains ac is not present, it
will run the connected load till the battery has a recommended dischargeable level.

Figure 5.3.3 Block diagram of online UPS


[Source: “Uninterruptible Power Supply”, Mohamad Zhafran Zakariya, Page: 15]

EE8015 ELECTRIC ENERGY GENERATION, UTILIZATION AND CONSERVATION


ROHINI COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING & TECHNOLOGY

OFFLINE UPS
Offline UPS passes the input AC to the output sockets if the AC power is available. It
always monitors the voltage level in the mains, and if there is a voltage drop or mains
failure, it switches on the inverter to give AC power to the device until the mains supply
returns to normal. The switch over time from AC to inverter AC is less than five milli
seconds so that the functioning of the gadget is not affected. The mains to battery
changeover time or battery to mains changeover time in offline UPS is very low as
compared to inverter. Typically, changeover time in inverters is 500 milliseconds &
Offline UPS has changeover time of 3-8 milliseconds. In a time, when mains ac is present,
Inverter provides the output as is the input mains. While, Offline UPS has built in
Automatic Voltage Regulator (AVR) to regulate the output voltage close to 220V ac.
Offline UPSs are normal weight UPSs and are widely used for domestic computers.

Figure 5.3.4 Block diagram of offline UPS


[Source: “Uninterruptible Power Supply”, Mohamad Zhafran Zakariya, Page: 13]

EE8015 ELECTRIC ENERGY GENERATION, UTILIZATION AND CONSERVATION


ROHINI COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING & TECHNOLOGY

LINE INTERACTIVE UPS


In this design, the battery to AC power converter (inverter) is always connected to the
o/p of the UPS. Battery charging is done during times when the I/P AC power is normal
when the I/P AC fails, transfer switch opens and then the inverter starts functioning to
provide power to load immediately. AC input fails  transfer switch open  inverter
ON mode.

Figure 5.3.5 Block diagram of line interactive UPS


[Source: “Uninterruptible Power Supply”, Mohamad Zhafran Zakariya, Page: 17]

EE8015 ELECTRIC ENERGY GENERATION, UTILIZATION AND CONSERVATION

Common questions

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An Online UPS continuously uses an inverter to provide AC power, converting incoming AC to DC and then back to AC, ensuring a continuous power supply without interruption. This results in a more efficient system with cleaner AC output, as it cleans up the waveform by reconverting it into fresh AC . Conversely, an Offline UPS switches to battery power when a power failure occurs, with changeover times between 3-8 milliseconds, which is fast but not instantaneous like the Online UPS . The Online UPS is therefore more efficient in providing uninterrupted power compared to Offline UPS due to its continuous activity even with mains AC available .

The changeover time of an Offline UPS is critical for data protection because during a power failure, the UPS must switch to battery power almost instantaneously to prevent the computer from shutting down. A changeover time of 3-8 milliseconds ensures that there are no interruptions in power supply, thus preventing potential data loss or corruption .

Line Interactive UPS maintains continuous connection between inverter and output, allowing for seamless switching from AC to battery power without interruption . Unlike the Offline UPS which switches from AC to inverter during power failure, Line Interactive UPS provides voltage regulation and very fast response to outages. Online UPS, on the other hand, continuously converts AC to DC and back to AC, ensuring no changeover time but higher efficiency and cleaner waveform .

A Battery Electric Storage System (BESS) like the one in Fairbanks, Alaska, is suitable in scenarios where large-scale uninterrupted power is necessary during outages, such as powering entire cities or large rural communities. Unlike traditional UPS systems designed for limited runtime, BESS provides extended power back-up for critical infrastructure and is optimal for areas prone to frequent and prolonged power failures .

A Line Interactive UPS is advantageous for home use compared to an Offline UPS due to its superior voltage regulation capabilities, offering better protection against power fluctuations. It also provides faster switch-over to battery power, reducing the risk of device malfunctions during outages. These attributes afford more reliable power stability, a crucial factor for sensitive electronic devices common in domestic settings .

The static bypass feature in an Online UPS enhances reliability by automatically redirecting the load to AC power if the inverter fails. This ensures uninterrupted operation, maintaining power delivery without requiring manual intervention. This feature thus prevents downtime due to inverter faults, providing a failsafe to maintain power supply continuity .

UPS battery capacity directly influences operational effectiveness during power outages. A higher capacity allows for extended runtime, providing enough time to either shut down equipment safely or activate additional power sources. Inadequate battery capacity may only allow for a brief period of continued operation, increasing the risk of abrupt shutdowns and disruptions in critical systems .

The Automatic Voltage Regulator (AVR) in an Offline UPS plays a critical role by maintaining the output voltage close to 220V AC, despite fluctuations in the input power supply. This ensures that connected devices receive stable power, enhancing performance and helping prevent damage that might be caused by voltage spikes or drops .

In a telecommunication facility, a UPS ensures the continuous operation of critical communication infrastructure by providing unwavering power supply, which is crucial for maintaining network uptime and preventing connectivity disruptions. In a standard office environment, the UPS mainly protects computers and servers by preventing data loss and hardware damage during power outages. The criticality and operational scope differ, requiring more robust and possibly scalable UPS solutions in telecom centers .

An organization might select an Online UPS for their data center because it offers continuous power supply without any switching time, ensuring the integrity and continuity of critical operations. It provides cleaner power by converting AC to DC and then back to AC, protecting sensitive equipment from power fluctuations and outages. This higher reliability and stability make Online UPS ideal for environments where power quality is paramount .

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