Uninterruptible Power Supplies (UPS) and Rack Mount UPS in the Laboratory: Protecting Your Equipment

Diagnostics Laboratory
Diagnostics Lab

The use of Uninterruptible Power Supplies (UPS) can mitigate the risk of power outages and surges by providing a backup power source to keep equipment running in the event of a power failure.

This can range from small desktop smart UPS systems, for individual instruments, to larger rack-mount UPS systems for efficient coverage of entire laboratory environments.

What is a Rack Mount UPS?

Franek UPS
Franek UPS

What exactly is a Rack Mounted UPS? Simply put, it’s a type of Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) that is designed to fit into a standard 19-inch server rack. It provides backup power for sensitive devices, ensuring that these critical systems continue to function even in the event of a power outage.

A Rack Mount UPS is a compact and efficient solution for protecting your equipment and sensitive electronics. It conserves valuable space by allowing you to centralize your power protection and management in a single unit, instead of having individual UPS units for each piece of equipment.

 

What do UPS systems protect?

centrifuge
Thermo Fisher – centrifuge

So, what exactly do UPS systems protect? In short, they protect your instruments from the harmful effects of power disruptions and surges by providing emergency power. Power outages, voltage fluctuations, and surges can cause serious harm to delicate computer systems and can result in data loss, corruption, or equipment damage.

A smart UPS typically consists of a battery backup and a voltage regulation unit, which stabilizes the incoming power and protects against power anomalies. When the main power source fails, the UPS switches to the battery backup, providing a seamless transition to backup power and preventing equipment damage or data loss.

Smart UPS systems provide backup power, protect against power outages, voltage fluctuations, and anomalies. They ensure that your equipment continues to function smoothly and protect your data. If you haven’t already, I highly recommend investing in a UPS to protect your critical equipment.

Why is constant stable power important?

Voltage Monitor
Voltage Monitor

The answer lies in the delicate nature of the equipment and the precision required for accurate results. Many laboratory instruments and devices, such as centrifuges, spectrophotometers, and incubators, rely on precise temperature control, timing, and other functions to produce accurate results. Power fluctuations and outages can disrupt these functions and cause equipment failure, critical data loss, or even inaccurate results.

That’s why it’s so critical to have a reliable emergency power source that provides automatic voltage regulation in place. A UPS system provides a constant, stable source of power in the event of a power outage or fluctuation, ensuring that laboratory equipment continues to function smoothly and that data is protected.

Constant, stable power is essential for ensuring accurate, reliable results in a laboratory setting. Power disruptions and fluctuations can have a significant impact on equipment and results, and a UPS system can provide the reliable backup power source needed to protect against these issues. Investing in a UPS system for your laboratory is a smart choice that can help you avoid costly equipment failures and ensure accurate, reliable results.

Where should I use my rack mount UPS?

Rack Mounted UPS
Rack Mount UPS

A rack mount UPS is designed to provide backup power for diagnostic labs and other laboratory industries, and there are a few key places where it can be especially useful and rack space is available. Let me share a few examples:

  • Data Centers: This one is a no-brainer. Data centers are the heart of an organization’s IT infrastructure, especially the servers, and a power outage can be catastrophic. A rack mount UPS can provide backup power to keep servers and other critical equipment running during an outage, ensuring that your data is protected and your operations can continue uninterrupted.
  • Laboratories: Laboratories require stable, constant power to ensure accurate results and maintain the safety of experiments. A mounting UPS can provide the reliable backup power needed to keep laboratory equipment running smoothly, even during an outage.
  • Network Closets: Network closets can be a nightmare during a power outage. A rack mount UPS can provide backup power to network switches and routers, ensuring that your network remains up and running even when the lights go out.

Mounting a UPS can be a valuable addition to any environment where servers and network equipment needs to be protected from outages. Whether you’re working in a data center, laboratory, network closet, a rack mount UPS can help you keep your equipment safe and running smoothly when configured correctly.

 

How do I know what size UPS to use?

The first step is to determine the amount of power you need to support a full load from your equipment. You can do this by adding up the power requirements for each device or piece of equipment that you want to protect. Keep in mind that you should include not only the current power requirements, but also any potential future needs, as you may want to add more equipment in the future.

Once you have determined the full load total power requirement, you can then use this information to determine the size of UPS you need. Compatibility is important to when you choose a UPS that provides enough backup power to keep your equipment or servers running for a sufficient amount of time, typically 15 to 30 minutes, depending on your specific needs.

Purchases of the right size UPS, for mounting, is essential for ensuring that your equipment is protected during a power outage. You can determine the right size UPS by determining your total power requirement and choosing a UPS that provides enough backup power to keep your equipment running for a sufficient amount of time. Investing in the right size UPS can help you minimize the costs of power disruptions and protect your equipment.

What features do rack units have?

Franek UPS
Franek UPS

Here are some of the key features of rackmount UPS form factor systems:

  • Battery Backup: The most important feature of a UPS form factor system is its ability to provide battery backup power when the main power source fails and notifies users with an audible alarm. Rack-mount UPS systems typically use high-capacity batteries to ensure a longer runtime for connected devices during an outage while supplying clean power.
  • Power Capacity: The power capacity batteries of your rack units UPS system is measured in VA (Volt-Ampere) or Watts and have an lcd display for this information. Rack-mount UPS form factor systems are available in different power capacities and offer automatic voltage regulation to meet the requirements of different applications. Most rack-mount UPS systems range from 700 VA to 10,000 VA form factor.
  • Outlets: Rack-mount UPS form factor systems come with multiple outlets that can be used to connect different devices for battery power support. Some models come with both AC and USB outlets, allowing users to connect both traditional devices as well as USB-powered devices.
  • Management Software: Many rack-mount UPS form factor systems come with management software that allows users to monitor,through lcd display, the status of the device and configure various settings. This software can be used to schedule shutdowns, set up alerts, and voltage .
  • Input Voltage Range: The input voltage range of a UPS form factor system determines the range of voltage it can handle from the main power source. Most battery power rack-mount UPS systems are designed to handle a wide input voltage range, making them suitable for use in regions with unstable power.
  • Surge Protection: battery power rack-mount UPS form factor systems also provide surge protection to prevent damage to connected tower devices from power spikes and surges. This is especially important for businesses and laboratories, where downtime can result in significant losses.

Rack unit UPS’s form factor systems are an ideal solution for businesses, data centers, and labs who require reliable backup battery power in a compact form factor. These units are available in different power capacities and come with various features, such as battery backup, management software, surge protection, and more.

Why is a UPS input and output voltage important?

Laboratory instruments are sensitive and require a stable power supply to function properly. A fluctuation in power can cause the instrument to crash, data to be lost, or even damage the equipment, which can be seen on an lcd display. That’s why the power conditioning of input and output voltage of a UPS is so important for protecting laboratory instruments by providing automatic voltage regulation.

The input and output voltage of a UPS is critical to its performance and the protection of laboratory instruments. By choosing a UPS with the right input and output voltage, you can ensure that your instruments will be protected and operational even during power failures or voltage fluctuations. So, the next time you’re setting up your laboratory, make sure to include a UPS in your list of essential components!

Do I need to perform maintenance on my backup battery power system?

Broken APC back up
broken apc ups

A UPS is a critical component of any power backup system, and it’s essential to keep it in good working order to ensure that it supplies clean, reliable protection and continuous power during power failures or voltage fluctuations. Neglecting maintenance can result in costly repairs, reduced battery life, and even system failure.

Here are some of the reasons why UPS maintenance is so important:

  • Battery Health: The battery life is the heart of the UPS, and it’s essential to keep it in good condition for your networking devices. Regular battery testing and replacement can extend the life of the battery and ensure that it can provide enough power during an outage for your critical data.
  • System Performance: Regular maintenance on your batteries can keep your UPS running smoothly, improving its performance and ensuring that it provides reliable power to your devices.
  • Early Detection of Issues: By performing regular maintenance, you can catch potential problems before they escalate into bigger and more costly issues.
  • Cost Savings: Investing in regular UPS maintenance can save you money in the long run by reducing the need for repairs and extending the life of your system.

UPS maintenance is an essential part of ensuring that your power backup system provides reliable protection. By taking the time to maintain your UPS, you can save money, improve performance, and keep your devices protected. So, don’t neglect your UPS – give it the care and attention it deserves!

Can I just use any manufactured UPS?

When it comes to selecting a Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) system, choosing a reputable and reliable manufacturer is just as important as the UPS itself.

After all, you want to make sure that the UPS you choose will provide the necessary protection and power backup for your devices, especially during critical moments like power outages.

Here are some reasons why it’s essential to choose a reputable and reliable manufacturer with a proven track record of producing high-quality UPS systems:

  • Quality and Reliability: A reputable manufacturer will use high-quality components and follow strict quality control procedures to ensure that their UPS systems are reliable and perform well. This means that you can trust that your UPS will provide the necessary power backup during an outage.
  • Technical Support: When you choose a reputable manufacturer, you can count on them to provide expert technical support when you need it. This can be a lifesaver during an emergency, and it’s essential to have a reliable source of support to help you keep your devices and equipment protected.
  • Warranty and Repairs: A reputable manufacturer will offer a comprehensive warranty and repair services for their UPS systems. This gives you peace of mind knowing that if something does go wrong, you’ll be able to get it fixed quickly and easily.
  • Innovation and Development: Reputable manufacturers are always working to improve their UPS systems and stay ahead of the curve in terms of technology and innovation. By choosing a manufacturer with a proven track record, you can install and be confident that you’re getting a state-of-the-art UPS system that will provide the best possible protection for your devices.

Selecting a reputable and reliable manufacturer with a proven track record in the industry (like Franek Technologies) for producing high-quality UPS systems is critical to ensuring that your devices receive the necessary protection and power backup during an outage.

So, don’t skimp on quality when it comes to choosing a company who provides UPS – make sure to choose a reputable manufacturer for your install and enjoy the peace of mind that comes with knowing that your devices are protected.

Franek Technologies Team
Franek Technologies Team

 

Franek Technologies, Inc. 15052
Red Hill Ste C. Tustin CA 92780
Email: sales@franek.com

US
Phone: 1800-326-6480
Fax: 714 258 1900