KnowUPS - Shutdown of Multiple Servers

Sadly, most APC Smart UPS units are really dumb without the addition of a network management card.  But once you add these powerful accessories... the skies the limit.  Buy them here

Here are the most common features used

• Be notified of problems via email
• Customize shut down and reboot of connected equipment
• Data logging of events and environment
• Forwarding SNMP traps
• Web access to UPS anywhere on network
• Activate relays based on events

A frequent request is to have the UPS initiate shutdowns on multiple servers.  To do you need the netcard and the PowerChute software available on APC's site.

Read more here

Know UPS - MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEET on batteries

Even though UPS units use safe Sealed Lead Acid batteries, they still are filled with dangerous chemicals... How dangerous?  According to the NFPA, Sulfuric Acid has a Hazard Rating of 3/0/2

While that is pretty scary, the reality is that very few formal Control Measures are required since the acid is safely stored in inside the batts.  Read more from the MSDS sheet from Powersonic

But over 65% of the battery is actually lead compounds.  And while sealed in the battery. its safe, lead overexposure is one of the most common overexposures found in industry and is a leading cause of workplace illness.

KnowUPS - Eco Mode

Today everything needs to be "Green."  And suppliers, vendors (we are GreenlightUPS after all), manufacturers, and customers all want to be part of it.  

The problem is that not all Green things are great.  (Pond scum in my pool for one)

One potentially bad Green thing on UPSes is the optional "Eco Mode" found on many new units.  Eco Mode is a sexy marketing term to essentially mean Line Interactive operation.  Since UPSes that operate as Line Interactive only switch over to battery during an outage (allbeit after 0.005 seconds) the UPS does not use up energy when there are no problems.   Online UPS are always online... always using energy.

The rub is that Eco Mode is found on those expensive Online UPS units.   So you pay double the price for a UPS for it to be online and then you downgrade it (um.. upgrade it)  to operate it in Eco Mode.

Kinda stupid.... especially when Eco Mode saves 3.3% or 10$ a year per 1000watts.  Learn more from APC's greenpaper

Efficiency in UPSes - Part 1

Efficiency is a great buzzword today, but has several meanings in the UPS world.  None of the definitions reflect what most people think of when they buy fuel efficient car, or energy efficient light bulb.

Definition 1 - Power Factor Efficiency
As I have said before, UPSes are sized in Volt Amps (VA).  While the actual Wattage is usually a factor of that VA, depending on the UPS.
A 1000va UPSes can offer 900, 670, or even 500watts, depending on its Power Factor efficiency .  Larger and even more expensive units can have the same apparent low efficiency.  The $3500 SURTD5000XLT has a 70% Power Factor Efficiency, delivering 3500watts per 5000va unit.   The MGE 5kva unit is really efficient in Power Factor, as it delivers 4500watts per 5000va unit.  Whereas, the Symmetra PX UPS is 100% efficient, delivering 10kw per 10kva.

Bottomline, while this is the most important spec in UPSes, the lower power factor efficiency doesn't necessarily mean that a unit is wasting energy like our common sense of efficiency..

KnowUPS - Power Conditioning

Frequently, I get requests for the best UPS for power quality and conditioning.

To answer that, I can offer 2 different approaches.

TOPOLOGY
Topology is, loosely, the type of UPS mechanism.  I have written in depth about this.  Online and Line Interactive are the common ones.  Simply, Online type is where output power is always being made by the UPS and Line Interactive type online "makes" the power if something goes wrong.  So, if you want UPS to manufacturer the power output all the time,  Online is the best topology.  But that doesn't necessarily mean its the "best power."


OFFICIAL POWER QUALITY
Technically, power quality is the quality of the voltage; specifically, transient content and voltage magnitudes.   UPSes address both problems and offer redress.  No matter whether its an Online or Line Interactive type UPS,  they output a voltage plus or minus their operational tolerance.
A quick check of some common units, shows some differences in Output Voltage

• APC Line Interactive 5kva (585AB) = +/- 5%
• APC Online 5kva (593g4) = +/- 3%
• Tripplite Online 5kva (to595) = +/- 2%
• Eaton Line Interactive (p5593) = +/- 8%
• Eaton Online 5kva (p9593v) = +/- 2%

So if the goal is 208volt (or other selected voltage output), the best power quality unit is a Online UPS, but with low ranges such as the Eaton or Tripplite.

But, as I have said many times, most IT equipment runs off its own power supply, and the small differences of power quality in the specs isnt worth worry about.

Worry about the quality (or absence) of your Transient Voltage Surge Suppressor....  thats where real power quality should be addressed

KnowUPS - Audible Noise

A quick check of 3000va Models across various manufacturers found that they all have same noise level.

A customer wanted the quietest 3kva UPS.  After checking APC's SUA3000, Eaton's Online PW9130, Liebert's PSI3, and Tripplite's SU3000 units, I found all of them had Audible Noise at 1 meter of 53-55db.

I then checked premium APC models, Rack versions, etc and couldnt find anything quieter.  Finally, I found the SMT3000 5th Gen APC unit that had only 45db rating.

I guess all makers use the same basic components and have no motivation to distinguish themselves on db level.

KnowUPS - Location Location Location

Just like choosing the best location should be mantra to ensure longevity of a restaurant, placing your UPS is critical as well.

Liebert recommend a full 12" between the back of the UPS and the wall.  Air flow for the heat exchange of the UPS batteries is essential.  So dont be like this good sushi  restaurant, (which was too cramped, IMHO) and be smart and give your UPS some room to breathe.

KnowUPS - DC Battery Architecture

I was talking with a customer this week about extended run battery packs and realized that one spec that is never really highlighted is the DC battery voltage.   While normally meaningless, its is very important in extended run battery cabinets.  This is because when you connect extra batteries, it must match the internal battery voltage to properly be paralleled in    To prevent catastrophe, each UPS maker creates stupid little plugs that prevent you from plugging the wrong voltage in.

Common string DC voltages range from 24volt to 240volt... here are some guides

• 24 volt = APC 1000va and under (SUA1000XL / 110b)
• 48 volt = APC 2nd -4th Gen units (SUA3000RMXL3U / 333b),  Eaton/Liebert/HP 1.5-2.0kva units (GXT2000XT120 / lg212), Tripplites (SMART2200RT2U // tl312), 5th Gen APC 1500va (SMX1500RT2U / 412v)
• 72 volt =  Tripplites  (SU3000RTXL3U / to313) and Liebert 3000va systems (PS3000RT3-120XR / lp312)
• 120 volt = HP (R3000XR / hp312), Eaton 3kva units (P5392v), Symmetra
• 144 volt = Liebert 6000va (GXT2-6000RT208v)
• 192 volt = APC Smart UPS RT (SURTD5000XLT / 593g4)
• 240 volt = Liebert 10kva, Eaton 6kva, Tripplite 5000va SmartOnline (to595)

KnowUPS - Getting More from your UPS: Issue 2 - Switched Load Management

A common feature desired by many IT users from UPSes is the ability to switch On and Off various loads remotely on the UPS.  Such as during an outage, having UPS plug X shut off to conserve power.
While Powerware and Tripplite have had this feature, APC just recently added it in their 5th generation systems.

Switched Load Management is described as

By using new APC Smart-UPS with switched outlet groups and PowerChute Business Edition 9.0, users can configure the exact sequence by which equipment shuts down and restarts so that more critical servers stay online longer. Users can also power off less critical equipment under certain conditions to conserve runtime. This increased flexibility means greater availability for mission critical equipment.

Look for this SLM in our 5gen APC units: 200v, 300v and in most of our newer Powerware (p9212v), Tripplite (to313) and Liebert Units (lp312).

KnowUPS - Getting More from your UPS: Issue I - EPO

EPO or Emergency Power Off is a safety mechanism intended to power down electrical equipment in an emergency, in order to protect personnel and facilities.

Most modern UPSes feature an EPO terminal block.  However, no one has ever asked me about it and I rarely include the EPO block in the sale.   On the APC SUA SmartUPS line (200B) they are located by the comm ports.  It is a simple Normally Open contact block

But EPO does has a place and its actually required above 750va according to NEC code.

"A means shall be provided to disconnect power to all electronic equipment. The disconnecting means shall also disconnect the battery from the load."

Since UPS units are always providing electricity, whether the power is on or off, having a way to kill all electricity quickly does have a purpose.  

Realistically, as electricians, we rarely see anyone actually connecting small UPS units to a EPO switch.  But as we have seen in our lab, DC voltage from batteries can burn and hurt.   Read more from APC's whitepaper.

Bottomline, if you need or want the EPO feature, be sure to ask for the contact block to ship with your order.