The latest battery capacity re-injection functionality from Socomec enables the UPS’ own batteries to directly check battery performance without the need to external load bank – the ultimate protection for your critical assets
The latest UPS systems from Socomec have been engineered to the highest standards, providing a robust and reliable system. The reliability of a UPS system is however, not only dependant on the UPS but also the batteries, load specifications and operating environment.
Batteries are often cited as the most common cause of UPS system failure, the design of the battery system together with battery performance is a key element of any UPS system. Extending UPS battery life and back-up time through a programme of regular maintenance and management is vital for guaranteeing the ongoing performance of UPS systems and providing power security to organisation’s critical assets together with optimising the battery investment.
Batteries are the workhorse of every UPS system, they must be operating at peak performance in order for a UPS to guarantee the critical power supply, high temperatures, frequent cycles, deep discharge, high voltage recharge and a lack of regular maintenance will all reduce the lifecycle and performance of a battery.
Preventing outages and minimizing costly downtime are challenges faced by every Facilities Manager, the regular maintenance and replacement of batteries forms a critical element of every business continuity plan.
When did you last carry out a battery-check?
Although the UPS system plays a significant role in ensuring the availability, reliability and quality of the electrical supply, at the heart of any critical power protection system are the batteries; their effectiveness is essential for mitigating against load downtime. Batteries are, however the most vulnerable and failure-prone component of the UPS system.
One of the most frequent causes of unplanned outages in an UPS system is premature end of life of battery blocks. If undetected, a failing battery block can accelerate aging within the rest of the battery string, there by jeopardizing the integrity of supply to the critical load.
The single most effective way to ensure the reliability of the UPS system is to conduct preventive maintenance including regular battery checks and replacements.
Typically, in order to perform a safe and effective battery check, reviewing the operating environment and main battery parameters at string level – the UPS manufacturer will carry out a series of regular checks in order to keep the equipment operating at optimum levels and to avoid system downtime along with the associated risks of damage to the critical loads.
Every Facilities Manager will be familiar with the operating and infrastructure constraints associated with planning and executing regular UPS system checks. The design of the switchboard is one key point; availability and access to connection points for load test banks, as well as the management of high heat dissipation during the tests all require careful review, planning, risk assessments and the associated method statements. The safety of staff and building security both have to be carefully reviewed and managed during the load bank tests. Furthermore, the costs associated with the test process can be a burden on an already stretched operating budget. Whilst the manpower for such tests may be accounted for indirectly via the wider preventive maintenance budget, it is frequently necessary to incur other significant costs in terms of load bank and cable hire costs etc.
Effective, efficient battery checks – online
Socomec’s latest innovation with the Delphys Green Power and the Delphys Xtend Green Power range of UPS the process of conducting battery discharge testing is simplified.
Socomec’s innovative Battery Capacity Reinjection function enables the battery to be discharged to the upstream mains network through the UPS rectifier. This function is carried out online with the load fully protected. The UPS rectifier acts as a current generator synchronised to the mains voltage; the reinjected power is active power (KW) only, there is no reinjection of reactive power (kVAR). The reinjected current is sinusoidal, and therefore does not affect the LV installation. If mains power is lost during the test, the reinjection is automatically stopped with no effect to the system load. For an N+1 or 2N installation the system autonomy is ensured by the other units.
During a routine Battery Capacity Reinjection test carried out by a Socomec technician, the reinjected power is consumed by the other loads or UPS systems on the site. The reinjection test requires no changes to cabling within the existing installation. The battery discharge power (kW) is constant and configurable. This innovative Socomec UPS function enables the routine maintenance and testing of the critical UPS system and batteries to be easily carried out without the need for additional load banks or cabling. As well as the financial benefit of no longer needing to hire load banks and cabling, the Socomec reinjection function simplifies the operational planning.
To find out how to simplify your battery health checks – and to guarantee optimised performance – call 01285 863300 or email info.uk@socomec.com www.socomec.co.uk
