XINCA Tech Services

It may sound like the mantra of some fashion icon, but unlike the fickle fashion business, where accessories merely enhance the look of an outfit, uninterruptible power supply accessories play a more functional role in the overall power protection strategy. There to enhance the workability, functionality and reliability of the UPS system, accessories also play a vital role in adding value and overall resilience. UPS accessories include software, adapters, sensors, cable converters, interface panels and bypasses, all purposely designed to work alongside UPS and for implementation in power protection applications.

Software: most reputable uninterruptible power supply manufacturers provide user-friendly management and monitoring software. UPS software displays real-time information in the form of bar charts and values explaining critical data such as mains voltage, UPS load and battery charge percentage.

UPS software enables remote interrogation of logs and operating parameters to help diagnose alarms and potential fault conditions. When instructed, it performs an automated safe power down of protected loads (PCs and file severs, for example) to safeguard them against damaging and costly system crashes.

Adapters: network Management Protocol (SNMP) adapters, USB converters, duplexers and protocol converters expand the communications capabilities of uninterruptible power supplies and provide ease of management across networks and multi-operating platforms.

These devices are usually bespoke-designed for specific customer projects.

Network agents (such as Riello UPS’s NetMan) allows UPS management across a LAN using any of the main network communication protocols – TCP/IP, HTTP and network interface (SNMP). Network agent-enabled uninterruptible power supplies integrate easily into medium and large sized networks and provide reliable communication between the UPS and management systems that are employed therein.

Cable and Protocol/Converters: protocol converters (such as Riello UPS’s MultiCOM) may be used to monitor the UPS using the MODBUS/JBUS protocol on RS485 or RS232 serial lines. It will also manage a second, independent RS232 serial line that can be used to connect other devices such as the network agent or PC running the uninterruptible power supply management and monitoring software.

The device integrates the UPS with control systems and offers complete configurability of the input and output signals. The RS232-USB converter allows uninterruptible power supplies without a USB port to connect to Macintosh, Windows and Linux PCs (provided they have a USB port).

Sensors: uninterruptible power supplies, and UPS batteries in particular, are susceptible to changes in the environment so sensors that keep a check on temperature and humidity are advisable to be used in a power protection system. UPS batteries, in particular, must be stabilised at an ambient temperature of 21-25 degrees centigrade. Even so much as one degree above or below this threshold can seriously diminish the design life of UPS batteries.

Panels: the panels that sit on the front of the uninterruptible power supply unit and act as the operator interface need to be clear, visual, easy to operate and understand plus robust enough to withstand their environment (whether heavy industrial or dynamic IT sites).

In addition, some manufacturers offer a remote monitoring panel designed to provide a detailed overview of the UPS to which it is connected. This panel can provide a range of useful operating information (in a variety of languages – depending upon operator preference) including specific UPS input and output voltage and frequency values and status information on the UPS battery set.

Riello UPS’s MultiPanel, for example, has three independent serial ports – one for UPS monitoring using the MODBUS/JBUS protocol (either an RS485 or RS232 serial line) and others designed for use with UPS accessories such as network agents and UPS monitoring and control software.

When selecting a panel it is advisable to choose one that is compatible with most building management systems, and that has a communications flow LED status indicator and the capability for firmware upgrade via one of its serial ports.

Bypasses: in this day-and-age of continuous uptime and 24/7 operating environments, an uninterruptible power supply maintenance bypass is a must. It allows a UPS unit to be powered down for maintenance without disruption to the load and is typically installed with on-line power systems from 700VA to 800kVA. Many bypasses available from reputable UPS manufactures are ‘plug and play’ with a range of socket configurations, and are usually available in wall mounting and 19″ rackmount formats so as to be able to be sited in server racks alongside computer loads. An additional safety feature is an automatic transfer should the output of the UPS fail due to overload, system fault or accidental disconnection.

So, with uninterruptible power supplies it is wise to accessorise but select carefully. Compatibility is key. Choose accessories that are most closely related to the actual UPS system itself. Sourcing from the same manufacturer is recommended.