FAQs

Uninterruptible Power Supplies

This paper contains general inform ation on questions relating to find the right UPS.
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What is a UPS?
A UPS is a pow er supply system w ith an energy store that ensures the load continues to be
supplied even if the supply voltage fails (in accordance w ith EN 50091-1).

What is a UPS needed for?

For protection against data loss and system damage due to pow er failures, voltage dips,
voltage spikes, undervoltage, overvoltage, sw itching spikes, interference voltages,
frequency changes and harmonic distortion.
This list is also referred to as the - 9 voltage problems -

What sort of different UPS system s exist?

a) VFI - system s
Former
designation:
Online
systems
or
also continuous converter systems
VFI
=
Output
Voltage
and
Frequency
Independent
from
mains
supply.
The UPS output is independent of mains voltage and frequency fluctuations.
Protects against all 9 voltage problems and is therefore the professional protection level for
critical applications. The load is continuously supplied by an inverter - irrespective of the
status of the alternating current input. Quality of output voltage in accordance w ith IEC
62040-3:
Classification 1: Within a time period from 100 s to 5 s, the output voltage is not allow ed
to deviate from the tolerance range of +/- 30% under any conditions!
This can only be achieved w ith true online systems.

b) VI - system s
Former
designation:
Line-interactive
systems
(also
delta
technology)
Output voltage independent from mains supply. The UPS output is dependent on mains
frequency fluctuations, but the mains voltage is prepared by electronic / passive voltage
control units. Only protects against 5 of the 9 voltage problems (pow er failure, voltage dips,

voltage spikes, undervoltage and overvoltage), therefore it represents medium-grade

protection at a favourable price.
Applications:
Netw ork systems in the office environment. The mains frequency is also the frequency of
the load (bew are w hen supply is from a diesel generator). A low -impedance mains short
circuit can result in a brief supply outage due to the sw itching procedure w ithin the UPS.
Quality of output voltage in accordance w ith IEC 62040-3: Classification 2

c) VFD - system s
Former designation: Offline systems Output Voltage and Frequency Dependent on mains
supply.
The UPS output is dependent on mains voltage and frequency fluctuations.
Only protects against 3 of the 9 voltage problems (pow er failure, voltage dips, voltage
spikes) and is the least expensive solution. Applications: Individual w ork stations in the
office environment. An electronically stabilised voltage only supplies the load w hen the input
AC voltage is outside the tolerance range. A sw itching operating w ithin the UPS is required
in each case - resulting in a supply outage! Quality of output voltage in accordance w ith IEC
62040-3: Classifcation 3

What is the crest factor?

The crest factor is the quotient of the peak value / r.m.s. value of an electrical parameter
and for sinusoidal sequences is c = 1.414
Computer pow er supply units (SMPSs) accept a highly distorted current - the current peak
is significantly higher than in a sinusoidal sequence. The required peak current for supplying
computers, for example, is described by the crest factor and can have values of c = 3. The
required peak current for supplying computers, for example, is described by the crest factor
and can have values of c = 3.

How is it possible to find the required crest factor of a UPS?

This question is closely connected to the required nominal pow er of a UPS (see next
question)

How is it possible to find the required UPS pow er?

The load values are not usually uniform, but are made up of several terminal units w hich
have to be protected. Here is an example:

UPS loads

Pow er

Current
crest factor

Cos phi*

Making current

PC, server,
mmonitors, printers
(SMPSs)

4500 VA

0,95 kap

1,5 x Inenn

Air-conditioning untis
(motors)

3000 VA

1,41

0,8 ind

5 x Inenn

Lighting

2000 VA

1,41

0,9 ind

6 x Inenn

Miscellaneous

1500 VA

1 x Inenn

Sum

11000 VA

2,14

0,95 ind

1 x Inenn

(1)

(2)

(3)

(4)

Calculation for this example:

(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)

4500 VA + 3000 VA + 2000 VA + 1500 VA = 11000 VA

[4500 VA x 3 + 3000 VA x 1,41 + 2000 VA x 1,41 + 1500 VA x 2] / 11000 VA = 2,14
{ [4500 VA x 0,05 - 3000 VA x 0,2 - 2000 VA x 0,1] / 11000 VA } + 1 = 0,95ind.
[4500 VA x 1,5 + 3000 VA x 6 + 2000 VA + 1500 VA] / 11000 VA = 2,57
-> Ipeak = 2,57 x = 3,64

* The pow er of a UPS system is specified in VA. This pow er includes w hat is referred to as
the reactive pow er. The pow er factor, also referred to as cos phi, is decisive in terms of
establishing the correct dimensions. In practice, values used for the calculation are:
betw een 0.6 and 0.7 (offline and line interactive UPS)
betw een 0.7 and 0.8 (online continuous converter UPS)
Rule of thumb UPS pow er (VA) x Pow er factor (cos phi) = UPS pow er (W)

How do I select the UPS?

A) Depending on the possible level of damage in case of a data loss / production stoppage,
critical applications require exclusively online UPSs, classification 1, in accordance w ith
IEC 62040-3 (double conversion). You have to calculate the possible damage by
conducting a risk analysis w ith your customer.
B) All other aspects such as low purchase and operating costs (efficiency) are - strictly
speaking - secondary and must take second place to damage avoidance.
Continuation of the example above:
Type

PROTECT 1.

Nominal output
Crest factor

15 kVA
3

PROTECT 1.
bei 11 kVA
15 KVA
4,09

Power factor
cos phi

kap. ind.
0-1- 0

kap. ind.
0-1 - 0

> 0,95 ind.

4,09

>3,64

Overload behaviour for starting / making current

required
> 11 kVA
> 2,14

The selected UPS is suitable!

How do you find out the pow er factor?

There is only one solution: Collect the connection data of the loads that are to be used.
UPSs from AEG PSS do not have a limitation on the cos phi in the inductive range, so this
value is not critical. If the cos phi of the total loads is highly capacitive, it is recommended
that this value should be calculated exactly because the nominal pow er of the UPS w ill be
limited in this case.

The pow er of a UPS system is specified in VA. This pow er includes w hat is referred to as
the reactive pow er. The pow er factor, also referred to as cos phi, is decisive in terms of
establishing the correct dimensions. In practice, values used for the calculation are:

betw een 0.6 and 0.7 (offline and line interactive UPS)
betw een 0.7 and 0.8 (online continuous converter UPS)
Rule of thumb: UPS pow er (VA) x Pow er factor (cos phi) = UPS pow er (W)

Output pow er in kVA or kW?

The nominal pow er of a UPS is defined by tw o values:

1. Apparent output pow er S in kVA
2. By the pow er factor e.g. cos phi = 0.8
The output pow er P in kW is defined by cos phi = P / S P = S x cos phi
Example:
Apparent output pow er S = 100 kVA at cos phi = 0.8
Output pow er P = 100 kVA x 0.8 = 80 kW
See also: The difference betw een w atts and VA

How can the pow er losses of a UPS be calculated?

The decisive factors here are the max. required output pow er Pa that has to be supplied by
the UPS (in kW) and the efficiency of the entire UPS, i.e. AC - AC at this operating point
(e.g. 70% of nominal pow er).

Example:
Pv = Pa (kW !) x ( 1- ) /
Pa = 11000 VA bei cos phi = 0,95
Pa = 11000 VA x 0,95 = 10.450 W
= 92,5% in the operating point at 11000 VA
Pv = 10.450 W x (1 - 0,925) / 0,925 = 848 W

How high are the operating costs of a UPS?

A) Energy costs (example)
UPS nominal pow er: 330 kVA; average capacity utilisation:
75%
Pw load = 330 kVA x cos phi x 75%
330 kVA x 0.8 x 0.75 = 198 kW
Efficiency in this operating point: 93.8%
Pv UPS = Pw load x ( 1 - ) / = 198 kW x ( 1 - 0.938) / 0.938 = 13.1 kW
Energy costs / year assuming an energy price of 5 cents / kWh and 8760 h / year:
E-costs / year: 13.1 kW x 8760 h x 0.05 EUR = 5738 EUR / year
B) Other costs
Maintenance costs, e.g. minimised and possible to calculate w ith our service contracts.
Replacement of w earing parts:
Batteries after 3, 5, 8, 10 years depending on the EuroBat class
fan after 4.5 - 8 years, depending on type
aluminium electrolyte capacitors after > 10 years, depending on operating temperature

Why should the UPS (inverter) deliver a high short -circuit current?
A high short-circuit current means that the inverter can trip load breakers w ithout sw itching
over to the mains. This permits selective sw itch-off of the faulty load.
In addition, loads w ith high making currents (e.g. motors and transformers) can be sw itched
on directly from the UPS w ithout needing to use the mains for assistance.

What advantage is provided by a UPS w ith a short-circuit-proof output?

If there is a fault (terminal short circuit) at the UPS output, the current is limited to a
maximum value that w ill not damage the device, meaning that the UPS w ill be immediately
ready for use again after the external cause of the malfunction has been rectified.
The required copper cross sections are defined in VDE 0100 part 540:

Is an air-conditioning unit required for the UPS system ?

There is no need for the installation room to be air-conditioned. How ever, the installation
room must be sufficiently ventilated to allow the heat losses from the UPS system to be
dissipated. How ever, the installation room must be sufficiently ventilated to allow the heat
losses from the UPS system to be dissipated.
Earthing of a device is a protective measure and serves to avoid impermissibly high touch
voltages at freely accessible metal parts. Earthing of a device is a protective measure and
serves to avoid impermissibly high touch voltages at freely accessible metal parts. UPS
devices and systems w ith medium and high pow er levels must be connected to the existing
PE systems using cables w ith sufficient cross section and identified w ith green/yellow
insulation. Identified earthing screw s (PE) are located on the devic es.

Nominal current
devices (A)

of

the

< 24

32

54

98-158

198

292

391

528

Copper
cross
section
(mm2) of the PE conductor

0,75

1,5

16-16

25

50

75

120

What are system disturbances?

System disturbances are caused by "harmonic currents" emitted by an electric load.

What harm onic currents are perm itted w ith w hich m ains im pedances?
If the mains voltage is impermissibly distorted, this can disrupt other connected loads!
Draft standard IEC 6100-3-4 (for currents > 16A ; DRAFT status) therefore defines a ratio
betw een the "pow er capacity" of a pow er system and the pow er of the causal element, as
follow s:
Short circuit ratio Rsce = Ssc / Sequ
Ssc : Short circuit pow er of the mains at the
mains connection point = Unom / Z
Z = Impedance at the mains connection point
Sequ: Rated apparent pow er of the load = U x I equ
The mains impedance Z must be requested from the local pow er utility.
The higher the short circuit pow er of the mains (Ssc) compared to the rated pow er of the
load (S equipment), the more harmonic currents are permitted (currents > 16 A):

Ssc >= S equ Ratio

33

THD* (%)
26

66

16

120
175
250
350
450
600

18
25
35
48
58
70

* THD: Total harmonic distortion

- for devices with single-phase

connections
for devices with three-phase /
symmetrical connections