Data centre blackouts

2. RELIABLE POWER SUPPLY WITH HIGH AVAILABILITY AND BUILT-IN REDUNDANCY

To handle the problem of power failures, data centre operators should back up their critical infrastructure as appropriate. This includes ensuring supply redundancy by obtaining power from two different energy suppliers or, if that is impossible, from different substations, transformers with a redundant design and low-voltage main distribution boards (LVDBs).

A UPS is a further must in a professional energy supply and back-up concept for data centres so as to reliably bridge unscheduled power outages. “UPS systems run permanently in parallel in a data centre environment and ensure the continuous availability of components if the power supply fluctuates or fails,” explains Kreiling.

The UPS operates with a DC intermediate circuit. The alternating current supplied at its input is subsequently “chopped” in the UPS itself and converted into direct current. This is converted again at the output, creating a completely new, “cleaned” alternating current. The input and output are independent of each other. By eliminating disruptions, the intermediate circuit ensures a fault-free power supply for the grid and its IT components. Via its partner ABB, Rittal offers online UPSs in the form of UPS racks in the RiMatrix Next Generation portfolio. These 3-phase UPS systems combine rack-mounted modularity with a compact design and an efficiency of up to 96 per cent in double conversion mode. Output classes ranging from 10 kW to 200 kW per rack are available. If necessary, modules can be replaced without having to interrupt operations. In the event of a failure, only the affected module needs to be switched. Data centres benefit from both the redundant design and the efficiency of this UPS concept.