M&E Consultant Seminar

Comparing UPS System

Design Configuration
Danny Phang
3 March 2009

Organized by: IEM

Electrical Engineering Technical Division

All content in this presentation is protected 2008 American Power Conversion Corporation

Introduction
1. UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply) system is implement between
public utility power and critical load
2. There are five main UPS system design configurations:
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.

Capacity
Isolated Redundant
Parallel Redundant
Distributed Redundant
System plus System

3. The selection is determined by:

a.
b.
c.
d.
e.

Availability needs
Risk tolerance
Types of loads
Budgets
Existing infrastructure

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Availability
Driving force behind the UPS configuration is demand for availability
Availability is the estimated percentage of time that electrical power
will be online and functioning properly to support the critical load
All UPS systems (and electrical distribution equipment) require regular
intervals of maintenance. Availability of a system is dependent on:

Level of immunity to equipment failure

Ability to perform normal maintenance and routine testing while
maintaining the critical load

As the UPS goes higher on the scale of availability, the upfront cost
also increases

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Comparison of UPS configuration

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What is N?
UPS configurations are often described by nomenclature: N
N can simply be defined as the need of the critical load
It is the power capacity required to feed the protected equipment

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Tier I: Capacity or N System

An N system simply stated is a system comprised of a single UPS
module, or a paralleled set of modules whose capacity is matched to
the critical load
The most common of the configurations in the UPS industry
N configuration can be looked at as the minimum requirement to
provide protection for the critical load
External maintenance bypass is an important component in this
system, allowing a UPS module to be shutdown for maintenance
without requiring the shutdown of the load

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Capacity or N System (Figure)

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Capacity or N System (Figure)

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Capacity or N System: Advantages

1. Conceptually simple, and cost effective hardware configuration
2. Optimal efficiency of the UPS, because the UPS is used to full
capacity
3. Provides availability over raw utility power
4. Expandable if the power requirement grows (It is possible to configure
multiple units in the same installation. Depending on the vendor or
manufacturer, you can have up to 8 UPS modules of the same rating
in parallel.)

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Capacity or N System: Disadvantages

1. Limited availability in the event of a UPS module break down, as the
load will be transferred to bypass operation, exposing it to
unprotected power
2. During maintenance of the UPS, batteries or down-stream
equipment, load is exposed to unprotected power (usually takes place
at least once a year with a typical duration of 2-4 hours)
3. Lack of redundancy limits the loads protection against UPS failures
4. Many single points of failure, which means the system is only as
reliable as its weakest point

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Capacity or N System (Single point of failure)

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Comparison of UPS configuration

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Tier II: Isolated Redundant

N+1 system
Does not require:
a paralleling bus
the modules have to be the same capacity
the same manufacturer

The main or primary UPS module that normally feeds the load,
where the isolation or secondary UPS feeds the static bypass of the
main UPS module
Requires that the primary UPS module have a separate input for the
static bypass circuit

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Isolated
Redundant
(Figure)

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Isolated Redundant: Advantages

1. Flexible product choice, products can be mixed with any make or
model
2. Provides UPS fault tolerance
3. No synchronizing needed
4. Relatively cost effective for a two-module system

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Isolated Redundant: Disadvantages

1. Reliance on the proper operation of the primary module's static
bypass to receive power from the reserve module
2. Requires that both UPS modules static bypass must operate
properly to supply currents in excess of the inverter's capability
3. The secondary UPS module has to be able to handle a sudden load
step when the primary module transfers to bypass. (This UPS has
generally been running with 0% load for a long period of time. Not all
UPS modules can perform this task making the selection of the
bypass module a critical one.)
4. Complex and costly switchgear and associated controls

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Isolated Redundant: Disadvantages

5. Higher operating cost due to a 0% load on the secondary UPS,
which draws power to keep it running
6. A two module system (one primary, one secondary) requires at least
one additional circuit breaker to permit choosing between the utility
and the other UPS as the bypass source. This is more complex than
a system with a common load bus and further increases the risk of
human error.
7. Single load bus per system, a single point of failure

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Isolated
Redundant
(Single Point of Failure)

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Comparison of UPS configuration

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Tier II: Parallel Redundant

N+1 system
Allow for the failure of a single UPS module without requiring that the
critical load be transferred to the utility source
N+1 system designs still must have the static bypass capability, and
most of them have a maintenance bypass as they still provide critical
capabilities
Consists of paralleling multiple, same size UPS modules onto a
common output bus
The system is N+1 redundant if the spare amount of power is at least
equal to the capacity of one system module; the system would be N+2
redundant if the spare power is equal to two system modules; and so
on

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Parallel Redundant (continue)

Require UPS modules of the same capacity from the same
manufacturer
UPS modules will communicate with each other via parallel board to
create an output voltage that is completely synchronized
There are logical maximums for the number of UPS modules that can
be paralleled onto a common bus, and this limit is different for different
UPS manufacturers
UPS modules will share the critical load evenly in normal operating
situations

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Parallel Redundant (Figure)

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Parallel Redundant (Figure)

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Parallel Redundant
Lightly - loaded UPS modules are typically less efficient than a
module that is loaded closer to its capacity
Table below shows the typical running load for a system using various
UPS module sizes, all feeding a 240 kW load

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Parallel Redundant: Advantages

1. Higher level of availability than capacity configurations because of the
extra capacity that can be utilized if one of the UPS modules breaks
down
2. Lower probability of failure compared to isolated redundant because
there are less breakers and because modules are online all the time
(no step loads)
3. Expandable if the power requirement grows. It is possible to configure
multiple units in the same installation
4. The hardware arrangement is conceptually simple, and cost effective

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Parallel Redundant: Disadvantages

1. Both modules must be of the same design, same manufacturer,
same rating, same technology and configuration
2. Still single points of failure upstream and downstream of the UPS
system
3. The load is exposed to unprotected power during maintenance of the
UPS, batteries or downstream equipment, which usually takes place
at least once a year with a typical duration of 2-4 hours
4. Lower operating efficiencies because no single unit is being utilized
100%

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Parallel Redundant: Disadvantages

5. Single load bus per system, a single point of failure
6. Most manufacturers need external static switches in order to loadshare equally between the two UPS modules; otherwise they will
share within a wide window of 15%. This adds to the cost of the
equipment and makes it more complex
7. Most manufacturers need a common external service bypass panel.
This adds to the cost of the equipment and makes it more complex

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Parallel Redundant (Single point of failure)

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Comparison of UPS configuration

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Tier III: Distributed Redundant

Commonly used in the market, developed in late 1990s
The basis of this design uses three or more UPS modules with
independent input and output feeders
The independent output buses are connected to the critical load via
multiple PDUs and STS

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Distributed Redundant (Figure A)

Catcher System
Module 3 is connected to the
secondary input on each STS,
and would catch the load
upon the failure of either
primary UPS module. In this
catcher system, module 3 is
typically unloaded.

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Distributed Redundant (Figure B)

A design with three STS and
the load evenly distributed
across the three modules in
normal operation.
The failure on any one module
would force the STS to transfer
the load to the UPS module
feeding its alternate source.

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Distributed Redundant: Why?

Concurrent Maintenance The ability to completely shut down any
particular electrical component, or subset of components, for
maintenance or routine testing without requiring that the load be
transferred to the utility source.
Eliminate Single Point of Failure
Dual-Corded Loads are becoming more the standard as time
progresses. The loads can simply be connected to two separate PDUs
which are fed from separate UPS systems

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Distributed Redundant: Advantages

1. Allows for concurrent maintenance of all components if all loads are
dual-corded
2. Cost savings versus a 2(N+1) design due to fewer UPS modules
3. Two separate power paths from any given dual-corded loads
perspective provide redundancy from the service entrance
4. UPS modules, switchgear, and other distribution equipment can be
maintained without transferring the load to bypass mode, which would
expose the load to unconditioned power.

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Distributed Redundant: Disadvantages

1. Relatively high cost solution due to the extensive use of switchgear
compared to previous configurations
2. Design relies on the proper operation of the STS equipment which
represents single points of failure and complex failure modes
3. Complex configuration: In large installations that have many UPS
modules and many static transfer switches and PDUs, it can become
a management challenge to keep systems evenly loaded and know
which systems are feeding which loads.
4. Unexpected operating modes: The system has many operating
modes and many possible transitions between them. It is difficult to
test all of these modes under anticipated and fault conditions to verify
the proper operation of the control strategy and of the fault clearing
devices.
5. UPS inefficiencies exist due to less than full load normal operation.

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Comparison of UPS configuration

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Tier IV: System + System Redundant

System plus System, Multiple Parallel Bus, Double-Ended, 2(N+1),
2N+2, [(N+1) + (N+1)], and 2N are all nomenclatures that refer to
variations of this configuration
It create UPS systems that may never require the load to be
transferred to the utility power source
Most reliable and most expensive design in the industry
Distributed redundant and a system plus system redundant are quite
similar. Both provide for concurrent maintenance, and minimize single
points of failure. The major difference is in the quantity of UPS
modules that are required and quantity of PDU from the UPS to the
critical load.

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System + System Redundant (Figure)

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System + System Redundant (Figure)

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System + System Redundant

The fundamental concept behind this configuration requires that each
piece of electrical equipment can fail or be turned off manually
without requiring that the critical load be transferred to utility
power. Common in 2(N+1) design are bypass circuits that will allow
sections of the system to be shut down and bypassed to an alternate
source that will maintain the redundant integrity of the installation.

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System + System Redundant:

Advantages
1. Two separate power paths allows for no single points of failure; Very
fault tolerant.
2. The configuration offers complete redundancy from the service
entrance all the way to the critical loads.
3. In 2(N+1) designs, UPS redundancy still exists, even during
concurrent maintenance.
4. UPS modules, switchgear, and other distribution equipment can be
maintained without transferring the load to bypass mode.

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System + System Redundant:

Disadvantages
1. Highest cost solution due to the amount of redundant components
2. UPS inefficiencies exist due to less than full load normal operation
3. Typical buildings are not well suited for large highly available system
plus system installations that require compartmentalizing of redundant
components

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Choosing the Right Configuration

Data centre owners have the responsibility to determine what Tier of
functionality is appropriate or required for their sites. As such, it is a
business decision to determine the Tier necessary to support site
availability objectives. Some main factors of decisions are:
Cost / Impact of downtime
Risk Tolerance
Availability requirements
Budget

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Choosing the Right Configuration

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Choosing the Right Configuration

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Choosing the Right Configuration

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Summary
The power infrastructure is critical to the successful operation of a
data centers equipment.
There are various UPS configurations that can be implemented, with
advantages and limitations of each.
By understanding the businesss availability requirements, risk
tolerance, and budget capability, an appropriate design can be
selected.
As demonstrated in the analysis of this paper, 2(N+1) architectures
fed directly to dual-corded loads provide the highest availability by
offering complete redundancy and eliminating single points of failure.

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Schneider Electric Critical Power & Cooling Services Danny Phang, 3/3/09

Power Design Overview

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