Industrial UPS vs. Standard UPS: Fundamental differences of Back UPS Technology

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An erratic power supply is one of the major threats in the manufacturing industry. An Uninterruptible Power Supply service or Back-UPS streamlines functionality in the industrial cycle by regulating the flow of electricity and avoids any fatal disruptions or loss of data. Irregular power supply leads to a substantial loss of resources until the machinery in question is finally restored. A Back-UPS with capacities ranging from 5 to 150 kVA have been available for the past 4 decades, and the market has continued to escalate at a 12% annual rate. This is due to the ever-present reliability on the continuous flow of clean and uninterrupted power.

Power requirements vary – a corporate office productivity is different compared to that of a production unit. Hence, with differing scales of production, the throughput required for each plant is different. Industries face the problem of harsh requirements and irregularities in supply. Therefore, it’s critical for devices to have reliable power factor correction facilities. This has emphasised the need to understand the basic differences between Standard UPS and Industrial UPS. Some standout points to consider while choosing a smart UPS are as follows:

Physical condition: The physical surroundings and conditions in which the UPS system functions is an important factor to consider. Industries like the Oil & Gas sector, petroleum pipeline, heavy manufacturing units, etc., require a heavy duty UPS that can handle the largest load fluctuations and safeguard the equipment. Conversely, low-power UPS systems can regulate the requirements of computer devices and less complex machinery with relative ease.

Design of the System: Industrial UPS systems are sturdy and come with a complex structural design that’s engineered to monitor and eliminate major problems in the system. These devices are often personalised based on the client’s onsite requirement. Their intricacy mandates the need to provide a user manual with its installation. Meanwhile, a standard UPS system has a comparatively straightforward design.

Longevity: Standard UPS systems are less likely to function for long periods due to lower stability and contract-bound customer service. On the other side of the spectrum, industrial UPS systems have a significantly longer lifespan of around 20-30 years. They also come with a  long-term full customer service facility. Therefore, in case of any mishap, the device can be replaced.

Cost consideration: In this era of cutting-edge competition, it is becoming tougher & tougher to meet customer requirements. Therefore, marketers propose the notion of cost-effectiveness rather than cost-cutting. Using a standard UPS system is a suitable option for low-power stations like data centres. Meanwhile, set-ups with large electricity requirements can enable a powerful and sustainable UPS battery backup to function at optimum productivity.

Support and Servicing: The standard system doesn’t require a whole lot of technical support. However, the industrial system often requires a comprehensive program that includes support and maintenance services. This is done to prolong and secure the life of the entire manufacturing equipment.

From a common viewpoint, the industrial and standard smart ups might seemingly have a lot of similarities. However, both these systems have intricate differences when observed from a technical perspective. There are many business that understand the technical aspects of both these UPS systems, and Schneider Electric India is one such company that has come out with a broad range of smart UPS supplies that are essential for the business. The company is a step ahead in providing inverter technology, which is required to sustain the operations of any business, regardless of their scale.

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