subject: Uninterrupted Power Supplies: The Importance Of Protecting Data Center Equipment [print this page] Because they prevent unplanned downtime of IT equipment, uninterruptedpower suppliesare critical to all data center operations. They provide clean, uninterruptible power for computer systems that experience power failures, surges, spikes, noise, instability and other utility power problems. And, an uninterrupted power supply (UPS) system helps prevent injuries, equipment damage, serious business disruptions and data loss from unexpected power outages.
A UPS will provide instantaneous, emergency power when the input power source fails. During these outages, the UPS runs for a relatively short time. However, UPS systems run onbatteries until back-up generators take over to provide uninterrupted power to crucial data center equipment. Uninterrupted power supplies play an essential role in protecting computers, data centers systems, telecommunications equipment and more.
Causes of Power Failures
Numerous events can cause power outages that require uninterrupted power supplies. Regardless of the cause, the result is damage to the supply grid, which in turn affects power to the data center. Many utility outages can be attributed to natural events, including lightning strikes, heavy winds, major snowstorms, ice on the lines and other acts of Mother Nature. Other outages can be the result of accidents involving animals, trees and vehicles.
The Costs of Power Failureswithout Uninterrupted Power Supplies
Even in a home environment, power losses can mean more than a little inconvenience. An interruption, regardless of how long, can cause downtime and damage to electronic equipment if no UPS is connected to the systems. In addition, data can be corrupted and lost.
However, when power outages occur in an industrial or business setting, the costs can be crippling. These environments are dependent on the constant function of computer and electrical systems. When these systems are damaged and/or data is lost, the operation incurs the costs associated with equipment replacement and maintenance, productivity losses from downtime, business inefficiencies from data loss, customer service interruptions and more.
The Need for UPS Systems
Good data center design requires power backup systems to avoid the huge costs involved in outages. Sensitive equipment must be able to endure power failures without experiencing damage, downtime or data corruption. Incorporating uninterrupted power supplies is the best way to ensure equipment safety and ongoing functionality.
UPS systems are a common technology used to mitigate risk from power failures. The instant an outage occurs, uninterrupted power supplies take over supplying power to crucial equipment and operations continue without missing a beat.
Unfortunately, power outages continue to be a major cause of data center equipment downtime. However, good data center design that incorporates uninterrupted power supplies, batteries and generators provides the necessary backup systems to avoid the costly consequences of operation disruptions.
It is important to note uninterrupted power supplies remain a necessary component in data design strategy even if backup generators are installed. Bringing generators online takes about 12 seconds or longer. During this time, a UPS system is critical to keeping data center equipment running.
Another important function of UPS systems is to allow the time to properly shutdown data center equipment. In certain instances, servers and other equipment may have to be shutdown during an outage. Some of these systems require a proper shutdown process that may take several minutes.
Not powering down certain equipment in the right way could cause damage to equipment and data. Uninterrupted power supplies maintain system operation until data center technicians can conduct a proper shutdown sequence.
The role uninterrupted power supplies play in data center operations cannot be understated. Given utility power failures can be expected at some point during operations, data centers must be equipped to withstand the disruptions without adverse effects on the business.
