The latest addition to Powervar's family of power quality solutions is the Security Plus Series - a 2.0 to 6.0 kVA isolated, online double conversion UPS system - designed to provide optimum reliability and comprehensive protection against power outages, surges and noise associated with dirty electrical power.
A key aim in designing the Security Plus was to eliminate the need for over sizing of the UPS systems. It is built to handle modern computer loads - systems with high crest factors and high current inrush peripherals. So Security Plus can be sized to match the load. This enables users to specify the precise power quality solution for their equipment, whether it's a point-of-sale (POS) system, a scientific instrument, a telecommunications switch or a cabinet full of process controls.
The design of the Security Plus Series incorporates a number of key elements that Powervar calls ‘the ABCs of power conditioning'. They are:
A: The surge diverter
This is the most commonly used ‘solution' because it is the least expensive and best-recognised power protection device. Surge diverters only protect from transient voltages that exceed about 350 V. When these large voltages occur, surge diverters clip the excess voltage and shunt it to earth, where it is converted into a common mode power disturbance that can disrupt microprocessor functions. Because transient voltages smaller than 350 V slip by the surge diverter, the system is exposed to substantial degrading energy.
B: The low Impedance isolation transformer
The low impedance isolation transformer provides an inductive cushion for the load and enhances the operation of surge diverters and noise filters by re-establishing a vital neutral to ground bond. This bond prevents the formation of common mode voltages created when surge diverters and noise filters shunt power disturbances to safety ground.
C: The power line filter
The power line noise filters addresses the low amplitude, high frequency, noise disturbances that are missed by the surge diverter. Quality noise filters are often left out of many power protection devices. Like the surge diverter, it operates by shunting noise to safety ground.
D: The voltage regulator
The voltage regulator is responsible for keeping power line voltage within specified upper and lower limits.
E: The battery backup
In the event of a power outage, the battery backup converts a reserve of DC energy into AC power. The most common type of battery backup is the standby UPS, which switches to batteries when power is lost. Higher quality online systems, such as Security Plus, provide constant AC to DC to AC power conversion. This ensures that there is no break or lag in power to the load when utility power is lost
F: The frequency regulator
The frequency regulator ensures that the power line frequency stays at a constant 50 Hz (or 60 Hz according to country). In most well-developed countries, frequency regulation is not always required since the utilities provide very frequency stable electrical power. Where frequency regulation is required, an on-line UPS or inverter is the only way of providing AC power with tightly regulated line frequency.
In addition to the ABCs, Security Plus also offers two important design features:
- Output power factor of 0.9. This means that it doesn't add load to a facility's electrical system or create problems in terms of reduced facility power factor or other power anomalies.
- Industry leading overload capability - 300% for 500 msec.
Furthermore, RS232 and USB communication interfaces enable Security Plus to be used with Powervar's remote monitoring and management software, with access via the internet. The capability to power down computer systems out of hours, and then restart them automatically, can offer very significant savings in electricity bills and reduced carbon footprint.
As an example, remote management has been implemented for the retailer Spar (pictured above) across 188 UK locations. By powering down its EPOS systems for eight hours per day, Spar is saving some 25% of its IT power costs.
