Powervar provides advice for installing a UPS

Accompanying the growth in UPS populations are problems associated with poor UPS installation planning.

Any company that sells or recommends a UPS to its customers needs to pay special attention to planning for installation and future service requirements.

Doing so is a necessary part of optimising business continuity and long-term peace of mind.

Choosing a suitable UPS location is vital - getting it wrong can cost a business dearly.

UPS location depends on the type of system being installed.

Smaller UPS systems are usually installed in a convenient office location - perhaps under a desk or countertop.

But larger UPSs, especially those used to provide centralised power to numerous loads, require additional installation planning.

Planning issues to be considered include: * Space for efficient ventilation and heat dissipation (possibly even air-conditioning).

* Space for auxiliary equipment such as disconnects, bypass switches and extended run battery cabinets.

* Adequate space for maintenance activities, including battery replacement.

* Space for future system expansion if such expansion is envisioned.

* Ease of electrical connection and removal of loads.

* A dustless, low-humidity environment.

* Positioning away from public-access areas to avoid accidental (or deliberate) disconnection or damage.

* A constant, cool, ambient temperature to maximise UPS battery service life.

* A location without risk from water piping, sprinklers, or other factors that may lead to flooding.

When installing larger UPS systems that may support distributed loads from a central location, the installation is like buying a home - location is everything.

Proper installation planning helps customers add more solid components to their business continuity plans.