Issue link: https://cp.revolio.com/i/809568
28 | THE DATA CENTER JOURNAL www.datacenterjournal.com distortion is not being fed back to the utility, potentially affect- ing nearby equipment 3. InStallatIon and Startup A variety of companies such as electrical contractors can facilitate installation and startup; using factory- certified staff from the UPS manufac- turer, however, is generally the best way to ensure proper startup proce- dures and adherence to warranty pro- tocols. is service includes powering up the UPS and running it through a series of checks and balances. It's not a matter of just flipping a switch and turning on the UPS. Collecting startup and factory-testing data is an important first step in developing a performance-data baseline. 4. coMMISSIonIng teStIng is step includes putting the UPS load under test. It's an important test, as it lets you see the UPS perfor- mance under actual load with varying conditions before you introduce the UPS to the other equipment in your facility. It's also the time to ensure that loads will be balanced correctly across phases to enable the most-efficient operation. UPS burn-in, battery run-down and capacity tests are also conducted during this phase. Collec- tion of this test data enables you to establish a solid baseline of the UPS operation and then aggregate ongoing tests to view performance trends. For example, you can see from the data how the UPS performed in the lab and how it's operating at your facility, as well as readily determine whether it's moving away from specifications. If there is a problem, it's oentimes a configuration issue. Having a clear baseline can aid in troubleshooting throughout the product life cycle. 5. Integrated SySteMS teStIng is phase is the first time the UPS is introduced to your facility. You're testing the UPS again, but equipment such as automatic transfer switches (ATSs), power-distribution units (PDUs) and cooling are tested as one complete system. is step is absolutely critical to confirm proper "handshaking" of the equipment. Sometimes the UPS and genera- tor won't get along, or the ATS and generator won't communicate with each other properly. Testing as one unified system confirms that the indi- vidual equipment will work correctly together Maintenance and Training In addition to the five UPS- testing considerations above, ongoing predictive-maintenance programs, preventative maintenance and training programs can enhance system reliabil- ity, performance and operator safety over the lifetime of the equipment. Preventative maintenance is normally performed twice a year to ensure that all operational parameters are within tolerance, and it includes maintenance to determine the health of the system. Identifying excess wear and tear on the components and batteries is important to mitigate any failures. ermal imaging can also aid in inspecting components such as transformers, cables, converters and batteries, as well as in measuring internal temperature. is noninva- sive imaging technique allows for a high-degree of precision in identify- ing potential breakdowns before they occur. is semiannual maintenance doesn't require the UPS to be offline, so operations remain undisrupted. But at the five-year mark, it's customary to take the UPS offline for complete load testing. Doing so involves putting the UPS on a load bank to ensure it's functioning properly as well as mea- suring the health of the batteries. As with initial testing, using a simulated load allows technicians to verify that the systems will operate well even under more-extreme conditions. Preventive maintenance includes replacement parts at intervals speci- fied by the manufacturer. For example, if the manufacturer recommends replacing capacitors at year seven, do- ing so on time improves the system's reliability. is type of maintenance is important and can be planned when the system is purchased. Most UPS manufacturers also offer training as part of their service programs. Training takes place at either the manufacturer's training fa- cility or, in custom format, at the cus- tomer's site. Training topics include operational and first-responder fa- miliarization. Typical classes focus on combining theory, product familiarity, safe operation, hands-on application and applied learning. Another consideration is to ensure that your UPS provider has factory-authorized service technicians that provide the type of startup servic- es discussed here including, perform- ing planned maintenance, monitoring and problem diagnostics, along with the ability to respond to emergencies 24x7x365 days a year. Most authorized service centers can respond to UPS service issues within four hours or less at sites located within 100 miles. In summary, proper testing, maintenance and training are vital to keeping UPS systems ready for the next power problem. n about the author: John Steele is the Inside Sales manager for mitsubishi Electric Power Products, Inc.uPS Division.