Power back-up protecting emergency services

South Central Ambulance Service NHS Trust (SCAS) has turned to uninterruptible power supply (UPS) specialist, Borri, to provide a one-stop back-up power solution.

After a detailed review of the SCAS headquarters in Bicester, Oxfordshire, Borri installed two high efficiency B9000 160kVA UPS solutions, along with a 300kVA diesel generator to ensure optimum power protection for the service's communications systems.

A parallel configuration was recommended by Borri to remove any single points of failure and to safeguard against any potential power interruptions, which, if not addressed, could have significant and disastrous implications in terms of lost data and subsequent knock-on effects to patient treatment.

Borri provided SCAS with a complete back-up power solution and managed the entire project from initial product specification through to electrical works and final installation.

Based on traditional UPS design and manufactured by Borri S.p.A in Italy, the B9000 160kVA UPS units come with sophisticated tricore technology, which when combined with intelligent digital processing are able to deliver over 95% efficiency when operating at half load.

The built-in IGBT rectifiers within each UPS are designed to have a negligible effect on the mains supply, generating less than three percent harmonic distortion. This particular feature has not only given SCAS considerable power protection but also substantial cost savings as the diesel generator supplied could be downsized.

A SCAS spokesperson commented: "We were surprised at how smoothly the project went as we thought there would be complications due to the protective nature of the business. The new UPS units were installed without any disturbances and were undertaken proficiently and within a tight schedule.

"The UPS systems and diesel generator are working very well and have given SCAS the peace of mind, reliability and protection we required to help us improve our care services. As part of the NHS, we are continually challenged on budgets, however, Borri was able to deliver a highly affordable solution, which not only operates effectively but has also enabled SCAS to make considerable efficiency savings."