If you’re seeking to procure a new UPS power supply for your data centre operations, it’s natural to focus on its functional attributes, including UPS capacity, battery autonomy, availability, efficiency, scalability and of course cost. However, these UPS considerations, while certainly essential, aren’t the whole story. The uninterruptible power supply has to be safely delivered to site and installed into a suitable location before connection into the data centre’s infrastructure, and commissioning, can begin. Accordingly, here are some useful points to remember about these delivery and structural aspects of the new UPS installation process.
To start with, as the UPS power supplies contain fragile electronics as well as batteries, specialist equipment such as air ride suspension vehicles, together with technical know-how, will be needed to transport it. Your UPS supplier should be able to recommend handling procedures and suitably experienced transportation contractors. They will check if the proposed location of your UPS installation is accessible by road, bearing in mind the size of the delivery vehicle and offloading equipment.
The access route must be kept clear of obstructions on the day of delivery; the route should also be checked to ensure doors are wide enough, corners and uneven or soft surfaces can be negotiated, if there are stairs along the route, and any goods lift intended for transportation has sufficient load capacity for the UPS system.
Next considerations relate to the uninterruptible power supply’s intended location; has sufficient space been reserved, and is the location suitable? Modern UPS designs with no requirement for bulky and heavy input transformers, and a high power-density, flexible modular design, are amenable to a wide choice of locations rather than just a ground floor or basement plant room. However, it’s important to leave space for future expansion if this will ever be required. Also, if possible, leave plenty of room in excess of the manufacturer’s recommended minimum to make UPS maintenance and service easier.
The floor must support the equipment’s weight, while the location’s environmental conditions should meet the uninterruptible power supply manufacturer’s specifications. What will the effect of the installation be on existing airflow and air conditioning equipment? Can the area safely accommodate an extended UPS battery installation, and is there room for associated switchgear? And is access to the area convenient, yet secure? Meanwhile, inconvenience to adjacent personnel and business operations should be minimised.
When positioning uninterruptible power supplies within the chosen area, allowances must be made for cabling, especially as most medium to large UPS systems require bottom cable entry. If the uninterruptible power supplies are on a solid floor, they must either be placed on a steel plinth, or trenches must be cut to bring in the input and output AC cables, and the battery DC cables, under the uninterruptible power supply for connection. Space must be allowed for a 90°cable bend radius.
Purpose-built computer rooms usually have raised floors to allow network and power cabling, and sometimes as a means for underfloor cooling. However, the UPS power supply cabinet weight, especially if it contains batteries, usually means that the UPS system must be positioned on a steel stand that rests on the load-bearing sub-floor. The stand height is adjustable, to accommodate any sub-floor unevenness, and to ensure the stand top aligns with the raised floor surface.
Naturally, the UPS sizing needs to be considered. A rack mounted modular UPS system of between 20 and 250kVA is designed for installation into dedicated computer rooms or plant rooms, while a small uninterruptible power supply rated at below 20kVA can be transported more easily, and installed in a normal office location provided any generated noise and heat does not adversely impact the location’s environment.
Whatever your UPS sizing requirements, it is well worth consulting your UPS supplier on these matters as part of the purchasing process.
If you have any questions about our UPS power systems or services please get in touch with KOHLER Uninterruptible Power via our contact page or call us on 0800 731 3269
