Optimize your uninterruptible power for modern data processing equipment

Uninterruptible power challenges are often solved at the facility level with unnecessarily large, inefficient, expensive and complex AC UPS systems. While this provides an easy demarcation line between the facility and end equipment, with each focusing on a different part of the problem, it also results in overall operating efficiency and total cost of ownership being difficult to ascertain and optimize. Initial and operating costs can generally be reduced and system reliability increased by incorporation a relatively simple DC UPS as an integral part of the data processing or communication equipment.

The challenges of new-generation data processing equipment
New generation data processing equipment provides ever-increasing speed and bandwidth utilization benefits, while Internet based communication and commerce activities continually fuel the need for more performance. One result of this self-reinforcing spiral is the amount and concentration of electrical energy being ported toward core data processing infrastructure. This has brought forth new challenges regarding energy and resources wasted on inefficient power systems.

Data processing equipment is generally segregated into channels built around microprocessor cores. In the past these microprocessors would typically utilize less than 100W of energy per channel. However, modern equipment quite often sees this power requirement exceed 200W per channel, with future equipment forecasted to go well in excess of this value. As these channels are paralleled together into clusters, the total energy being utilized presents unique challenges. With current industry practices, AC power distribution systems are typically employed to power data processing equipment clusters. In addition, critical infrastructure installations generally employ power systems with an uninterruptible source of electrical power. Uninterruptible power is generally viewed at the facility level, as opposed to the equipment level. While this provides an easy demarcation line between the facility and data processing equipment, with each focusing on a different part of the problem, it also results in overall operating efficiency and total cost of ownership being difficult to ascertain and optimize. Facility-level AC UPS systems are quite often constructed around model similar to the one portrayed in the following diagram.

Figure 1: Facility Level AC UPS

The central AC UPS generally involves conversion from incoming raw AC power to DC, and then reconverting from DC back to AC. Moreover, since data processing equipment generally operates from 208/220VAC line voltage, facility-level entry power usually must be transformed from 480VAC down to 208VAC either before or after the UPS. A battery is then connected as an alternate input to the DC-AC converter so that if incoming raw AC power is interrupted, the system automatically switches over to battery power. Alternately, a rotating flywheel may be used to store energy and provide uninterruptible AC power. Uninterruptible AC power is then passed through an AC power distribution grid and fanned out to individual data processing apparatus.

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