Centralised V Distributed Uninterruptible Power Supplies (ups)

On the one hand, there's the management issueDistributed UPS means that the business is
of controlling several smaller units attached to vitalgrouped into data processing clusters, each with
equipment or each separate network. On thededicated UPS protection, giving several smaller
other, the cost and reliability implications of havingpower plants spread across the whole operation.
to install a dedicated ring main system for powerDistributed UPS often require lower capital outlay
management; if the central UPS fails, so does theand installation costs. Some suppliers claim higher
whole system!overall operating efficiencies because the number
When planning business continuity, a centralisedof conversions from mains AC to DC is reduced -
UPS is normally more powerful, functional,leading to energy savings.
sophisticated and automated than a solution basedThe primary advantage of centralized UPS
on a distributed architecture. What's more, it'sSmaller UPS generate less heat than larger ones,
usually housed away from the main data centre.leading to greater efficiency. Distributed systems
Distributed UPS, however, is simpler and lessalso reduce the total number of power conversion
costly to install; vital equipment can be protectedsteps; consequently, electronic components and
independently, and thus it is shielded from acircuit complexity are both reduced. Distributed
central power outage.solutions, however, generally have more
Deciding on a UPS solution?components, which could increase the likelihood of
When planning power and business continuity, onebreakdown. As each data centre processing
of the main issues is to protect againstcluster has its own uninterruptible power supply,
'single-points-of-failure'. In practice, both centralizedconfusion about which equipment is protected
and distributed UPS solutions work well - providingagainst power outage by which UPS is eliminated.
the system is designed with appropriateLikewise, maintenance and battery changes are
redundancy and a built-in maintenance by-passlocalised to individual clusters thus reducing
(allowing UPS maintenance without loss of powerdowntime elsewhere in the business.
to the load).The primary advantage of centralised UPS over
A centralised uninterruptible power supply usuallysmaller, distributed UPS lies within batteries.
forms part of the facility, as it has to be housedSmaller UPS contain sealed lead-acid batteries -
securely away from the main business. In thewith a typical design life of five years or less. The
past, these systems were only meant to protectcost implications of this depend on the number of
against short-term power outage but this is nowUPS clusters. Larger batteries, used in centralised
changing. With modern UPS regarded as a lifelineUPS, have longer design lives.
service, battery back-up, failover, redundancy andAnother business continuity benefit of centralised
maintenance by-pass are all now an integral partUPS is that, being housed away from 'busy' areas
of their design. Centralised solutions use a singleof the building, it is less easily disrupted,
UPS to feed a custom built ring main, whichaccidentally damaged or maliciously interfered with.
supports numerous items of critical load orAlways invest in expert UPS consultancy
dedicated networks.In conclusion, distributed UPS, though easier and
The alternative is a distributed/decentralisedless costly to expand, can cost more per-kilowatt
system, with each piece of data centrethan a centralised system. Centralised systems,
equipment powered by a smaller individual UPS.however, are more expensive initially to build and
Load utilisation and your uninterruptible powermust be carefully designed to meet future
supplybusiness continuity needs. Large-scale
In terms of load utilisation and battery capacity, aPower-over-Ethernet (PoE) deployments of IP
centralised uninterruptible power supply can bephones, wireless access points, internet security
more versatile and cost efficient. However, thecameras and other peripherals may favour a
installation of a dedicated ring main can becentralised uninterruptible power supply solution
expensive - especially if the loads are spreadthrough lower whole-life costs.
around a building. While distributed solutions mayWhen planning power and business continuity, the
not optimise load capacity and extended run time,wisest option is to treat each network on a
the effects of UPS failure may be reduced whencase-by-case basis and always invest in expert
compared to the business continuity implicationsUPS and business continuity consultancy.
of a poorly-designed, failed centralised UPS.