UPSonNet Launches APC Line Interactive and Standby UPS Guide to Meet New Compute

r Standards
UPSonNet recent survey indicates that most Line Interactive and Standby UPS syst
ems are prone to drop load when powering new servers build to Energy Star requir
ements. To help specifying and selecting a proper APC system, UPSonNet introduce
s new Line Interactive and Standby UPS guide. APC was selected due to its domina
nt market position in the Line Interactive and Standby UPS field; same methodolo
gy can be used for other makes.
Miami, FL, July 29, 2010 -- UPSonNet recent survey indicates that most Line Inte
ractive and Standby UPS systems are prone to drop load when powering new servers
build to Energy Star requirements. To help specifying and selecting a proper AP
C system, UPSonNet introduces new Line Interactive and Standby UPS guide. APC wa
s selected due to its dominant market position in the Line Interactive and Stand
by UPS field; same methodology can be used for other makes.
To meet latest green oriented legislation, aimed to increase efficiency and decr
ease harmonic losses requires introducing Active Power Factor Correction (APFC)
circuits in computer server power supplies. The new servers are designed to work
properly from sinusoidal sources such as utility line, or most online UPS syste
ms, but are prone to fail when powered from most Line Interactive or Standby UPS
units.
Introduction of the new computer types has immense significance on selecting and
specifying UPS systems, particularly related to the following two points:
Both UPS Watt and VA Ratings should be considered when sizing a UPS.
Conservatively, Total Server's Power measured in VA (Volt â Ampere) units is consid
ered the main figure to specify UPS size. Actual server's power, measured in Wat
t units, was generally less than 70% of VA rating. Accordingly UPS Watt rating a
nd the actual power which most UPS systems can supply is 70% lower than its VA r
ating.
New servers with APFC circuits, eliminate the parasitic harmonics resulting in a
lmost equal Watt and VA ratings. Now, both UPS VA and Watt rating should be cons
idered. Each has to be above the respectable total requirements of all computers
which will be protected by the UPS. More on this is presented on UPSonNet artic
le: Mind Watts when specifying a UPS.
Sinusoidal UPS Output Waveform should be Preferred.
Standby and Line Interactive UPS systems power the critical load from utility li
ne, as long as it is within specified voltage window. Both systems are equipped
with a standby inverter connected to UPS battery, which kicks in to support the
critical load via the inverter from battery, whenever utility power fails or dev
iates beyond the voltage window boundary.
Unlike Online UPS systems, almost 100% of Standby and 70% of Line Interactive UP
S systems, due to economic considerations, provide not a sine wave but a pulsed
(called also modified or stepped ) Inverter waveform. These systems work fine wi
th conservative servers; they do not generally comply with new server requiremen
ts.
New servers work correctly with the utility line power; however the exact behavi
or when the load is switched to Inverter operation with non sinusoidal waveform
depends on the particular server's power supply design. UPS output may drop, par
ticularly at high loads, either due to computer power supply malfunction when co
nnected to such UPS, or due to UPS shut down because of overload occurring when
it switches from line to battery backup.
Most users are still unaware of the problem, still mainly discussed in users' fo
rums, whereas the amount of computers with APFC circuits is continuously growing
due to computer manufacturers' effort to comply with regulations.
Most Online UPS trading stores and UPS sellers are unable to assist buyers.
The problem of selection a sinusoidal UPS is further complicated because most UP
S sellers have no idea about the output wave form of the UPS which they sell, an
d lack the knowledge to assist buyers. Additionally, the type of UPS waveform is
n't generally presented on trading websites, and not always mentioned in UPS bro
chures, sometimes not even declared in technical UPS specs.
UPSonNet guide bridges the information gap by presenting main specifications and
features of single phase Line Interactive and standby UPS systems from 450VA up
to 3kVA, including information about UPS power and waveform to guide users whic
h UPS system to select in order to protect new computers and which systems to av
oid.
For more information visit: APC Line Interactive and Standby UPS Products Guide.
UPSonNet founded in 2006 in USA (now operating also from Israel) is solutions an
d information source of interest to users, service providers and professionals i
nvolved in design, manufacturing, marketing and implementation of UPS and Power
Protection systems. For more information visit: www.upsonnet.com.
Contact:
Meir Portnoy
UPSonNet
Miami, FL
305-517-7886
meirp@upsonnet.com
http://www.upsonnet.com