Inverter and UPS System: Operation, Maintenance and Troubleshooting

Introduction

A (UPS) is a device that sits between a power supply (e.g. a wall outlet) and a device (e.g. a computer) to prevent undesired features of the power source (outages, sags, surges, bad harmonics, etc.) from the supply from adversely affecting the performance of the device. Where a company regards electrical power as critical then there will be a need for a continuous or backup power system. The installation of a UPS will provide the necessary continuity. There are however problems with these installations when there is a need for maintenance especially the use of by-pass. Power Quality compatibility problems may cause failure, which was the reason for the original UPS installation.

The course is conducted as modular lectures with encouragement for the delegate to interact. Case studies are included to illustrate how UPS can provide reliability and create possible problems when not installed and maintained correctly. The theory of operation and standard testing, troubleshooting, and maintenance of typical three-phase industrial UPS supplies and batteries are thoroughly examined.

This five days course gives an insight into the subject of Batteries & UPS: Design, ...Operations & Troubleshooting. The subject of “power quality” is discussed and the need for Batteries & UPS System is emphasized. The basic circuits for the UPS system are explained and also various configurations shall be discussed. The concept of supply reliability is discussed and the various factors affecting reliability are presented.

Objectives

By the end of the course, participants will be able to:

• Understand the basis for the use of a UPS
• Understanding of the reasons for, and benefits of, a UPS and its battery system
• Understanding how a UPS works
• Analysis of critical loads and the benefits of supporting them with a UPS
• Understand Critical Load Applications
• Able to review the installation and maintenance requirements of a UPS & Batteries.
• Able to improve reliability by improving the resilience of an electrical installation
• Have an appreciation of Power Problems and Power Quality analysis and maintenance of electrical installations
• Understanding of resilience and reliability issues relating to power quality
• Maintain and test Lead Acid and Nickel Cadmium Batteries
• Understand the performance test lead acid and Nickel Cadmium batteries
• Identify the relevant hazards and apply safe working practice for UPS's and Batteries
• To present and appreciate the concept of Batteries & UPS and the types of “Critical loads” which need a Batteries & UPS supply?
• To assist the practicing engineer in selecting a suitable Batteries & UPS the various factors, which affect the selection of a suitable UPS, are discussed in detail.
• To discuss the selection of a suitable Batteries & UPS configuration and its impact on the reliability of the system.
• Understand the importance of UPS
• Design the correct type of UPS system
• Analyse the characteristics of batteries
• Understand the role of the stand-by generator
• Appreciate the functions of the UPS major components

Training Methodology

This is an interactive course. There will be open question and answer sessions, regular group exercises and activities, videos, case studies and presentations on best practice. Participants will have the opportunity to share with the facilitator and other participants on what works well and not so well for them, as well as work on issues from their own organizations.

Who Should Attend?

Electrical Engineers, technicians, and maintenance professionals should benefit from this course. Electrical Engineers Involved in writing specifications and evaluating submitted tenders by UPS supplies should find this course quite beneficial to their professional performance. Also practicing engineers should find this course quite helpful and useful.

 Personnel who should attend are:

• Electrical engineers
• Maintenance technicians
• Electrical supervisors
• Engineering professionals
• Project engineers

Course Outline

Day 1: Introduction to Resilient Systems

• UPS power sources and regulations

• Critical loads and equipment categories

• Power quality and mains failure

• Standby generator set characteristics

• Generator sizing and compatibility

• Protection devices and switches

• UPS or generator

Introduction to Reliability

• Early life or burn-in

• Useful life or normal operating period

• Wear-out or old age

• Meantime to failure (MTTF)

• Meantime between failures (MTBF)

• Availability and mean time to repair (MTTR)

• Measuring Reliability for UPS Systems

• Mean Time Between Failure

• Infant Mortality UPS Failures

• Random UPS Failures

• Wear Out Failures

• Mean Time to Repair

• Categorizing UPS Loads and Load Types

• Uninterruptible Power Supplies (UPS)

• Objectives of the utilization of UPS

• Specifications

• Methods and Options of Technologies

• Off-Line or Standby UPS

• On-Line or No Break UPS

• Line Interactive UPS

• Installation and testing of UPS

• Maintenance of UPS

• Design criteria and selection of UPS

Day 2: Static UPS

• Characteristics of online and offline UPS

• Double conversion UPS

• Delta conversion UPS

• Transformer based and transformerless UPS

• UPS operation modes

• UPS components functionality and filters

• UPS rating and power factor

• Parallel systems and redundancy

Day 3: Rotary UPS and Maintenance

• Components of diesel rotating UPS or DRUPS

• Operations of DRUPS

• Types and configuration of DRUPS

• Commercial static UPS and operation modes

• UPS maintenance

• Generator maintenance

• Generator size considerations

• New generation standby generator set

Day 4: Batteries Types and Chargers

• Lead-acid battery characteristics

• Nickel-cadmium battery characteristics

• Storage and care of batteries

• Choosing battery size and location

• Charging methods and type of chargers

• Battery care

• Battery safety

• Battery maintenance

Day 5: Battery Monitoring System and Preventive Maintenance

• Merits of the battery monitoring system

• Battery monitoring system architecture

• Condition monitoring for UPS system

• UPS safety and hazards

• Harmonics

• UPS glossary

• Case study