Nine power problems

And their UPS solutions

Eaton UPSs address any of the nine power and industrial markets. Low-cost products Eaton 5125, Evolution, EX, MX, MX Frame
protection problems to fulfill power such as the Eaton 3105, 5110 and EX UPSs and BladeUPS are designed to safeguard a
protection, distribution and management protect general desktop systems for small myriad of mission-critical systems including
needs in the office, computer networking, office/home office (SOHO) applications. The network servers and power hungry blade
data center, telecommunications, healthcare line-interactive and online UPSs such as the servers.

Power Problem Definition* Cause* Solution

A total loss of utility power Can be caused by a number of events: lightning strikes, downed power lines, grid over-
1 Power Failure demands, accidents and natural disasters.

Single-phase Series 3 UPS

Short-term low voltage Triggered by the startup of large loads, utility switching, utility equipment failure, lightning

Single-phase Series 5 UPS

Power Sag and power service that’s too small for the demand. In addition to crashes, sags can damage
hardware.

Short-term high voltage above Can be caused by a lightning strike and can send line voltages to levels in excess of 6,000
3 Power Surge
(Spike)
110% of nominal volts. A spike almost always results in data loss or hardware damage.

Single- and Three-phase Series 9 UPS

Reduced line voltage extended Can be caused by an intentional utility voltage reduction to conserve power during peak

4 Under-voltage
(Brownout)
periods few minutes to days demand periods or other heavy loads that exceed supply capacity.

Increased line voltage for Triggered by a rapid reduction in power loads, heavy equipment being turned off, or by
5 Over-voltage extended periods of a few
minutes to a few days
utility switching. The results can potentially damage hardware.

High frequency waveform Can be caused by either RFI or EMI interference generated by transmitters, welding

6 Electrical
Line Noise
caused by EMI interference devices, SCR driven printers, lightning, etc.

A change in frequency stability Resulting from generator or small co-generation sites being loaded and unloaded.

7 Frequency
Variation
Frequency variation can cause erratic operation, data loss, system crashes and equipment
damage.

Instantaneous under-voltage Normal duration is shorter than a spike and generally falls in the range of nanoseconds.

8 Switching
Transient
(notch) in the range of
nanoseconds

Distortion of the normal line

9 Harmonic
Distortion
waveform, generally transmitted
by nonlinear loads
Switch mode power supplies, variable speed motors and drives, copiers and fax machines
are examples of non-linear loads. Can cause communication errors, overheating and
hardware damage.

*Reference IEEE E-050R & old FIPS PUB 94

18 EATON CORPORATION Power Quality

UPS topologies
There are several different UPS topologies that provide varying degrees of protection. Selecting Online UPSs provide the highest level of protection by isolating equipment from raw utility
the best fit depends on several factors, including the level of reliability and availability you power—converting power from AC to DC and back to AC again. When input voltage is within
require, the type of equipment being protected and the application/environment. While all four preset UPS tolerances, the output is regulated without going to battery. In this manner, the UPS
of the most common UPS topologies outlined below meet the input voltage requirements for IT uses the batteries less often and for less time than either standby or line-interactive designs.
equipment, there are key differences in how the result is achieved, as well as the frequency Many online UPSs allow an even wider input acceptance window when the UPS is below
and duration of demands on the battery. 100% load.
Standby UPSs allow equipment to run off utility power until the UPS detects a problem, at High-efficiency mode UPSs are among the latest generation of UPS models, successfully
which point the UPS switches to battery power to protect against sags, surges or outages. combining the benefits of both single- and double-conversion technologies. Under normal
Because the band of normal operation is typically narrow, the UPS must resort to batteries conditions when power falls within acceptable limits, the multi-mode UPS operates as a high-
frequently, which can reduce battery runtime and service life. efficiency, energy-saving system, regulating voltage and resolving common utility power
anomalies.
During erratic power or fleeting disturbances when AC input power falls outside of preset
tolerances for line-interactive mode, the UPS switches to online double-conversion mode,
completely isolating equipment from incoming power. If power is lost altogether, or the input
power exceeds the tolerances of the double-conversion rectifier, the UPS relies on
AC to DC DC to AC the battery to keep loads operating, converting back to high-efficiency mode when it is safe.
Rectifier Inverter

Battery
Internal Static Bypass

Line-interactive UPSs regulate voltage either by boosting or decreasing utility power as AC to DC

Rectifier DC to AC
necessary before allowing it to pass to the protected equipment or by resorting to battery Inverter
power. Line-interactive models typically switch to battery mode with a transfer time of 3-8 ms,
which is within acceptable limits for most power supplies. Battery usage is lower than Battery
a standby UPS, but still higher than an online model.

Buck Boost Ferroresonant UPSs operate similarly to line-interactive models with the exception that a
ferroresonant transformer is used to condition the output and hold energy long enough to cover
the time between switching from line power to battery power which effectively means a
no-break transfer. Many ferroresonant UPSs are 82-88 percent efficient and offer excellent
isolation. Although no longer the dominant type of UPS, these robust units are still used in
AC to DC DC to AC industrial settings such as oil and gas, petrochemical, chemical, utility and heavy industry
Rectifier Inverter
markets.
Battery

DC to AC
Inverter Flux
Normal Operation Capacitor
Battery
Battery Power

www.eaton.com/powerquality 1.800.356.5794 19
UPS battery overview
It’s well known that the battery is the most vulnerable part of a UPS. In fact, battery failure The most common type of battery used in 2. Is there any difference between the
is a leading cause of load loss. Yet understanding how to properly maintain and manage UPS UPSs is valve-regulated lead acid (VRLA) batteries used by smaller UPSs, from 250
batteries can not only extend battery service life, but can also help prevent costly downtime. batteries, also known as sealed or VA to 3 kVA, and the ones used by larger
maintenance free. VRLA batteries are UPSs?
sealed, usually within polypropylene plastic,
While basic battery technology, and the risks
Positive Flag Extruded Intercell which offers the advantage of not containing
to battery life, remains the same regardless
Valve Terminal Welded Connection, any sloshing liquid that might leak or drip.
Low Resistance of UPS size, there are some inherent
Because water cannot be added to VRLA
Current Path differences between large and small
batteries, recombination of water is critical
applications. First, smaller UPSs typically
to their life and health, and any factor that
have only one VRLA battery that supports
Cover/Lid
increases the rate of evaporation or water
the load and needs maintenance. As
loss — such as temperature or heat from
systems get larger, increasing battery
the charging current — reduces the life of
capacity to support the load gets more
Strap Joining the battery.
Negative complicated. Larger systems may require
Plates in multiple strings of batteries, introducing
Parallel
complexity to battery maintenance and
Frequently asked support. Individual batteries must be
Negative
Pasted Plate
questions: batteries monitored to prevent a single bad battery
from taking down an entire string, and
Lead Alloy putting the load at risk. Also, as systems get
Grid 1. What is the “end of useful life?” larger, wet-cell batteries become much
The IEEE defines “end of useful life” for a more common.
Polypropylene UPS battery as being the point when it can
Container/Jar
Separator no longer supply 80 percent of its rated 3. My UPS has been in storage for over a
capacity in ampere-hours. When your year. Are the batteries still good?
battery reaches 80 percent of its rated As batteries sit unused, with no charging
VRLA batteries are frequently used in UPS Internal and external components of a valve-regulated lead
capacity, the aging process accelerates and regimen, their battery life will decrease. Due
or other high-rate applications. acid (VRLA) battery.
the battery should be replaced. to the self-discharge characteristics of lead-

20 EATON CORPORATION Power Quality

acid batteries, it is imperative that they be 6. If I add more batteries to a UPS can I 9. Why are batteries disconnected on holdover time available will be less than it
charged after every six to 10 months of add more load? small, single-phase UPSs when they are would have been if the batteries were fully
storage. Otherwise, permanent loss of shipped? charged.
Adding more batteries to a UPS can
capacity will occur between 18 and 30
increase the battery runtime to support the This is done to ensure that they are in
months. To prolong shelf life without 13. What are the risks associated with a
load. However, adding more batteries to the compliance with Department of
charging, store batteries at 10°C (50°F) or lack of battery maintenance?
UPS does not increase the UPS capacity. Be Transportation regulations.
less.
sure your UPS is adequately sized for your The primary risks of improperly maintained
load, then add batteries to fit your runtime 10. Does the UPS need to have a load on batteries are load loss, fire, property damage
4. What is the difference between needs. it to charge its batteries? and personal injury.
hot-swappable and user-replaceable
batteries? The UPS should have a minimum of 10%
load to charge its batteries. Once connected 14. What is thermal runaway?
Hot-swappable batteries allow the batteries
to a standard supply of electricity (via input Thermal runaway occurs when the heat
to be changed out while the UPS is running.
plug or hardwiring), your UPS should charge generated in a lead-acid cell exceeds its
User-replaceable batteries are usually found
its batteries regardless of how much load, if ability to dissipate that heat, which can lead
in smaller UPSs and require no special tools
any, is attached to it to an explosion, especially in sealed cells.
or training to replace. Batteries can be both
hot-swappable and user-replaceable. The heat generated in the cell may occur
11. How can you be sure UPS batteries without any warning signs and may be
are in good condition and ensure they caused by overcharging, excessive charging,
have maximum holdover in the event of internal physical damage, internal short
a power failure? What preventive circuit or a hot environment.
maintenance procedures should be done
Adding extended battery modules increases and how often? 15. Why do batteries fail?
runtime but does not increase the power rating The batteries used in the UPS and Batteries can fail for a multitude of reasons,
or capacity of the UPS
associated battery modules and cabinets are but common reasons are:
sealed, lead- acid batteries often referred to
as maintenance-free batteries. While this • High or uneven temperatures
7. If my UPS is in storage how often
should I charge the batteries? type of battery is sealed and you do not • Inaccurate float charge voltage
need to check the fluid level in the battery, • Loose inter-cell links or connections
The batteries should be charged every three they do require some attention to assure
or four months to prevent loss of capacity. proper operation. You should inspect the • Loss of electrolyte due to drying out or
UPS models like the Eaton 9130 feature hot-swappable UPS a minimum of once per year by damaged case
batteries for maximum uptime 8. What is the average lifespan of UPS initiating a self-test of the UPS. • Lack of maintenance, aging
batteries?
The standard lifespan for VRLA batteries is 12. How long does it take for the UPS 16. How is battery performance generally
5. How is battery runtime affected if I three to five years. However, expected life batteries to recharge? measured?
reduce the load on the UPS? can vary greatly due to environmental On average, it takes 10 times the discharge Batteries are generally rated for 100+
The battery runtime will increase if the load conditions, number of discharge cycles, and time for the UPS batteries to recover. (A discharges and recharges, but many
is reduced. As a general rule, if you reduce adequate maintenance. Have a regular 30-minute battery discharge requires about batteries show a marked decline in charging
the load by half, you triple the runtime. schedule of battery maintenance and 300 minutes to recharge.) After each power capacity after as few as 10 discharges. The
monitoring to ensure you know when your outage, the recharge process begins lower the charge the battery can accept, the
batteries are reaching their end-of-life. The immediately. It is important to note that the less runtime it can deliver. Look for batteries
typical life of an Eaton UPS with ABM load is fully protected while the batteries are with a high-rate design that sustains stable
technology is 50% longer than with standard recharging. However, if the batteries are performance for a long service term.
models. needed during the recharge time, the

www.eaton.com/powerquality 1.800.356.5794 21
 Factors
All UPS batteries have a limited service life,
regardless of how or where the UPS is
deployed. While determining battery life can
3. Cycling.
After a UPS operates on battery power
affecting
battery life
during a power failure, the battery is
be tricky, there are four primary factors that
recharged for future use, which is called the
contribute to a battery’s overall lifespan.
discharge cycle. At installation, the battery is
at 100 percent of its rated capacity, but each
1. Ambient temperature. discharge and subsequent recharge slightly
Because the rated capacity of a battery is reduces the relative capacity of the battery.
based on an ambient temperature of 25°C Once the chemistry is depleted, the cells fail
(77°F), any variation from this can affect and the battery must be replaced.
performance and reduce battery life. For
every 8.3°C (15°F) average annual 4. Maintenance.
temperature above 25°C (77°F), the life of
For larger UPS models, service and
the battery is reduced by 50 percent.
maintenance of batteries are critical to the
reliability of the UPS. Periodic preventive
2. Battery chemistry. maintenance not only extends battery string
UPS batteries are electro-chemical devices life by preventing loose connections and
whose ability to store and deliver power removing corrosion, but can help identify
slowly decreases over time. Even if all ailing batteries before they fail. Even though
guidelines for storage, maintenance and sealed batteries are sometimes referred to
usage are followed, batteries will still require as “maintenance free,” they still require
replacement after a certain period of time. scheduled service, as “maintenance free”
refers only to the fact that they do not
require replacement fluid.

For additional information on UPS batteries, to

use the Eaton battery replacement selector, or to
request a free copy of Eaton’s battery handbook,
visit www.eaton.com/upsbatteries.

22 EATON CORPORATION Power Quality