Workings of a Double Conversion On-Line Uninterruptible Power Systems
If you want to keep your computer systems running at all times, even when there are power outages and brownouts, you need a functional UPS system. These devices will use the power stored in a battery to ensure your system continues to work and the power supply to your devices isn’t interrupted. There are different types of UPS systems available in the market and one of them is the double conversion on-line UPS.
What is Double Conversion On-Line UPS?
This device converts AC power to DC power and then converts DC to AC again before the power reaches the equipment. The batteries inside the UPS system are connected to DC power rather than AC, which helps avoid any noise and anomalies that come with alternating current. This UPS will also remain in the same mode during the course of its operation.
However, online UPS isn’t considered as efficient as some of the other devices available in the market because there’s some loss when energy is converted from DC to AC and vice versa. There’s about 2% loss in efficiency. The system also generates more heat and has higher operating temperature. That can lead to higher maintenance costs.
However, this system provides a great deal of protection to the load, which is very important. Proper load protection will ensure the devices connected to the UPS don’t experience a surge. If load protection is your priority, no other system available in the market will perform as well as double conversion on-line UPS ones will.
Components of the Double Conversion On-Line UPS
To understand how this system works, you need to know what components are present in it. A double conversion online UPS will have:
- A rectifier that handles the first conversion.
- An inverter that handles the second conversion.
- Static bypass switch which will ensure there’s uninterrupted supply even if the UPS develops a fault.
- Manual bypass switch, which will manually connect the mains to the load. This ensures the internal UPS components are isolated.
- And a battery.
How Does Double Conversion On-Line UPS Work?
The process of this conversion is easy to understand and here’s a brief explanation of how the system works:
- When the UPS is plugged into an outlet, AC power enters the system.
- The rectifier initiates the first conversion and transforms the AC power into DC power.
- This DC power is stored in the battery.
- When the device connected to the UPS requires power, the DC power stored in the batter is converted to AC by the inverter utilising Pulse Width Modulation. That AC power is then supplied to the device. This is the second conversion.
As the power is converted two times, the system is called double conversion. This system is called on-line because the UPS is always on and completely isolated from the mains system. This ensures that the power supply to the connected devices is truly uninterrupted as if the UPS fails, the mains power will continue to supply energy without any interruptions or fluctuations. Similarly, if the mains power falters, the UPS will continue to supply steady current to all the devices.
This is the basic introduction to how double conversion on-line UPS systems work. If you want to know more about different types of UPS systems or our power products and services, don’t hesitate to contact us at KaRaTec Power Supply Pty. You can give us a call at 612 9808 1127. You can also fill in this contact us form and we’ll reply as soon as possible.
Thanks for reading,
Karatec Power Supply Pty
612 9808 1127