Outdoor PureWave UPS™ System — A Unique Power-Quality Solution for Data Centers.

Today’s equipment requires a higher level of power quality than ever before. And this need is no more evident than at data centers, where power quality is paramount.

Data centers — also called internet hotels, collocation facilities, or web host sites — rely on a sufficient and continuous supply of electrical power to support sensitive loads such as computer servers, switching and communications equipment, and chiller systems. Most of today’s data center designs are based on power densities of 100 to 200 watts per square foot — typically 10 times the power densities of standard office buildings. However, utilities generally will only provide that much power to a facility after the data center tenant places a utility requirement order. This presents a problem for data centers, since a tenant usually will not lease the space unless the required utility service is already in place.

For a data center to provide the power quality that its tenants require, reliable back-up power is essential. Data centers operate around the clock, so any downtime can be extremely costly in terms of dollars and customer dissatisfaction. An uninterruptible power supply (UPS) system offers the ultimate solution. It protects the load during a power disturbance and allows the tenant ample time to bring an emergency power supply system (usually a generator) on-line until normal utility power is restored.

Outdoor PureWave UPS: The Best Solution for Internet Hotels

Yet because data center rental space is quite valuable, conventional UPS systems have significant drawbacks. Developers prefer to use this space for equipment that will bring in revenues, such as computer servers, racks, and networking equipment. And conventional UPS systems require a large amount of indoor space required for their power modules, batteries, switchgear, and air conditioning units. According to “Internet Hotels – A Big Draw,” by Thomas Callsan, in the February 1, 2001, issue of Transmission & Distribution World Magazine, conventional UPS systems use approximately 25% of the space within a data center. Outdoor installation is not desirable, either, as additional housing must be built, dramatically increasing the unit’s installed cost.

The PureWave UPS System eliminates these problems. It is the only standard-design UPS system for outdoor installation. The PureWave UPS can be installed outside of the facility without additional housing, freeing up valuable space inside the data center and reducing the installation cost.

Each PureWave UPS container has a “built-in” redundant environment system that permits outdoor installation in any climate ranging from -30°C to +50°C. It is completely factory-integrated for lower installed cost and reliable performance. Enclosures for the PureWave UPS are built using S&C’s unique Ultradur™ finishing system, which assures lasting protection against corrosion and virtually eliminates enclosure maintenance cost. All hardware is galvanized, zinc-nickel plated, or of stainless steel on nonferrous materials to further protect against corrosion. Specially designed gaskets or sealants provide weather-tight seals at door openings, at top and side edges of adjoining bays and interbay bus openings, and at the roof.

With downtime for a computer center costing upwards of $600,000 for a 2-second interruption (based on an EPRI report), power quality is essential. While conventional UPS systems may help to mitigate these disturbances, a PureWave UPS is the best solution for data centers. It not only protects against utility power disturbances, it offers easy outdoor installation . . . allowing data centers to optimize revenues by preserving valuable indoor space.