Working of UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply) Systems

Uninterruptible Power Supply

UPS stands for Uninterruptible Power Supply. A UPS system is an autonomous source of alternate power that is used to supply sensitive electronic loads such as computer centers, telephone exchanges and many industrial-process control and monitoring systems. These applications require power that is availability and of good quality.

A UPS solution for sensitive electrical loads is used to provide a power interface between the utility and the sensitive loads, providing voltage that is:

1. Free of all disturbances present in utility power and in compliance with the strict

tolerances required by loads.

2. Available in the event of a utility outage, within specified tolerances.

UPS systems satisfy requirements in 1 & 2 above in terms of power availability and quality by:

1. Supplying loads with voltage complying with strict tolerances, through use of an

inverter.

2.providing an autonomous alternate source,t

use of a battery.

3. Stepping in to replace utility power with no transfer time, i.e. without any interruption in the supply of power to the load, through use of a static switch.

These characteristics make UPS units the ideal power supply for all sensitive applications because they ensure power quality and availability, whatever the state of utility power.

Basic Parts of a UPS System:

A UPS comprises the following main components:

1. Rectifier/charger, which produces DC power to charge a battery and supply an inverter.

2. Inverter, which produces quality electrical power free of all utility-power disturbances, notably micro-outages and that is within tolerances compatiblewith the requirements of sensitive electronic devices.

3. Battery, which provides sufficient backup time to ensure the safety of life and property by replacing the utility as required.

4. Static switch, a semi-conductor based device which transfers the load from the inverter to the utility and back, without any interruption in the supply of power.

Types of Static UPS Systems:

Type of static UPS are defined by standard IEC62040.The standard distinguishes three operating modes for UPSs which are:

1. Passive standby (also called off-line)

2. Line interactive

3. Double conversion (also called on-line)

These definitions concern UPS operation with respect to the power source including the distribution system upstream of the UPS. IEC Standard 62040 defines the following terms:

a. Primary power : Power normally available which is usually supplied utility company,but sometimes by the users own generation.

b. Standby power: power intended to replace the primary power in the event of primary-power failure.

c. Bypass power: power supplied via the bypass.

UPS Operating in Passive Standby Mode

Operating Principle:

The inverter is connected in parallel with the AC input in a standby as shown below:

UPS in Passive Standby Mode. Photo Credit: Schneider Electric

Normal Mode Operation:

In normal mode operation, the load is supplied by utility power via a filter which eliminates certain disturbances and provides some degree of voltage regulation (IEC 62040 specifies some form of power conditioning). The inverter operates in passive standby mode.

Battery Backup Mode Operation:

In battery backup mode operation, when the AC input voltage is outside specified tolerances for the UPS or the utility power fails, the inverter and the battery step in to ensure a continuous supply of power to the load following a very short less than 10 ms transfer time. The UPS continues to operate on battery power until the end of battery backup time or the utility power returns to normal, which causes transfer of the load back to the AC input (normal mode).

Application:

This configuration is a compromise between an acceptable level of protection against disturbances and cost. It can be used only with low power ratings less than 2 kVA.

Limitations:

This UPS operates without a real static switch, so a certain time is required to transfer the load to the inverter. This time is acceptable for applications, but incompatible with the performance required by more sophisticated, sensitive systems.

UPS Operating in Line-interactive Mode:

The inverter is connected in parallel with the AC input in a standby configuration, but also charges the battery. It thus interacts with the AC input source as shown below:

UPS in Line-interactive Mode. Photo Credit: Schneider Electric

Normal Mode Operation:

In normal mode operation, the load is supplied with conditioned power via a parallel connection of the AC input and the inverter. The inverter operates to provide output-voltage conditioning and/or charge the battery. The output frequency depends on the AC-input frequency.

Battery Backup Mode Operation:

In this mode of operation, when the AC input voltage is outside specified tolerances for the UPS or the utility power fails, the inverter and the battery step in to ensure a continuous supply of power to the load following a transfer without interruption using a static switch which also disconnects the AC input to prevent power from the inverter from flowing upstream. The UPS continues to operate on battery power until the end of battery backup time or the utility power returns to normal, which provokes transfer of the load back to the AC input (normal mode).

Bypass Mode Operation:

This type of UPS may be equipped with a bypass. In the bypass mode, If one of the UPS functions fails, the load can be transferred to the bypass AC input (supplied with utility or standby power, depending on the installation).

Application and Limitation:

This UPS configuration is not well suited to regulation of sensitive loads in the medium to high-power range because frequency regulation is not possible. For this reason, it is rarely used other than for low power ratings.

UPS Operating in Double Conversion (On-line) Mode

Operating Principle:

In this type of UPS, the inverter is connected in series between the AC input and the application as shown below:

UPS in Double-Conversion Mode. Photo Credit: Schneider Electric

Normal Mode Operation:

During normal operation, all the power supplied to the load passes through the rectifier/charger and inverter which together perform a double conversion (AC to DC to AC), hence the name.

Battery Backup Mode Operation:

In battery backup mode, When the AC input voltage is outside specified tolerances for the UPS or the utility power fails, the inverter and the battery step in to ensure a continuous supply of power to the load following a transfer without interruption using a static switch. The UPS continues to operate on battery power until the end of battery backup time or utility power returns to normal, which causes transfer of the load back to the AC input (normal mode).

Bypass Mode Operation:

This type of UPS is generally equipped with a static bypass, sometimes referred to as a static switch. The load can be transferred without interruption to the bypass AC input (supplied with utility or standby power, depending on the installation), in the event of UPS failure, load current transient (inrush or fault currents) or load peaks. The presence of a bypass assumes that the input and output frequencies are identical and if the voltage levels are not the same, a bypass transformer is required.

For certain types of load, the UPS must be synchronized with the bypass power to ensure load-supply continuity. Furthermore, when the UPS is in bypass mode, a disturbance on the AC input source may be transmitted directly to the load because the inverter no longer steps in. Another bypass line, often called the maintenance bypass, is available for maintenance purposes. It is closed by a manual switch.