How to Set Up a UPS Power Supply

As you might imagine, we here at UPS Systems plc have considerable experience when it comes to UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply) devices. Our UPS engineers are fully OEM trained & certified and have carried out hundreds of installations over the years. In the process, they’ve encountered just about every conceivable problem and found a relevant & workable solution.

Happily, some of the more frequent issues are easily guarded against if you know what you’re looking for. With that in mind, let’s run through some questions worth asking before purchasing and installing your UPS system.

How is the UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply) being delivered?

A UPS is both heavy and fragile, which makes proper transport critical. Hire a reputable courier with experience of sensitive equipment and ensure the delivery against damage in transit. Expert contractors will use ‘air ride’ suspension vehicles and specialised lifting equipment. This allows them to handle the equipment exactly as recommended by the manufacturer.

Do you have enough rack space?

The 19” rack format makes it easy to see at a glance how much space you have available. But it’s worth considering that not all rack units are identical in depth. Invest in a device that’s deeper than your rack can accommodate, and you risk having it protruding from the back of the enclosure – a problem which is exacerbated when you start plugging in IEC power cables. Check the product mass & dimensions to ensure that your enclosure is the correct size.

How many sockets do you need?

It might seem obvious to point out that your new uninterruptible power supply will need to be able to physically connect to your equipment. That means you’ll need at least as many sockets on the back of the device as you have plugs waiting to connect to it. You’ll likely want to factor in minor devices like routers and leave room for future expansion.

Low power appliances can be connected using a multi-socket adaptor, but some rewiring might be required to connect it to the back of the UPS. If you are uncomfortable with this sort of work, our fully trained engineers can carry out these works as part of the installation & commissioning project.

How many UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply) units do you need?

If you’re just running a small office setup, then a single UPS unit might be all that’s required. Larger setups might require multiple devices. Some UPS systems incorporate multiple module & battery packs to increase resilience within the system & spread the load efficiently. UPS Systems are also very scalable, which makes it economical to invest in the additional capacity as it’s required. Systems of this sort also offer the ability to ‘hot-swap’ UPS modules & battery packs without powering down the entire system to minimise disruption during upgrades.

Is the UPS plugged in properly?

More advanced UPS systems will come with multiple outputs which serve different purposes. Make sure your critical equipment is connected to the correct one!

Can you create a separate power circuit?

An electrician will be able to wire in a dedicated circuit to connect your UPS to the building’s main switchboard. This will ensure the most reliable supply possible by separating the availability of critical (UPS) and non-critical (no UPS) supplies reducing the possibility of a bad device (vacuum cleaner, water heater etc.) being connected to the output of your UPS. 

Did you configure and test the shutdown of servers?

You’ve plugged an appropriately beefy UPS into your server room and plugged everything in. You should be ready to go, right? Not quite. The proof of the pudding, as the saying goes, is in the eating.

You don’t want the stress of having your UPS system put to the test for the first time during a real-life power outage. Therefore, it’s important to save everything and simulate a power cut. If your computer doesn’t shut down automatically – or the power disappears instantly – then you know you have a problem with your configuration which can be rectified in a controlled environment.

Do you need to consult experienced UPS installers?

If all of this sounds like something you’d rather leave to an experienced, expert pair of hands, then you’re in luck: our engineers can take care of the installation on your behalf. That way, you can have the peace of mind that comes with knowing that the job has been taken care of to a professional standard!

UPS Systems have been supplying backup power solutions for over 25 years and can propose a solution regardless of the size of your requirement. If you have any questions or queries, please contact us. UPS Systems plc supply a wide range of uninterruptible power supplies including those from Riello UPS and Eaton UPS as well as the UPS battery packs designed to go with them. UPS Systems plc also offers various diesel generators and industrial generators including 60kva generator80kva generator and 100kva generator from a wide range of manufacturers including AKSA generatorSDMO generator and Pramac generator.