The lights flicker, then return to normal. On the production floor, however, a controller has reset. A network connection drops. Equipment stops mid-cycle, leaving employees to troubleshoot and restart the process.
A power disturbance does not have to last long to interrupt operations. In many cases, a properly selected battery backup system can help equipment keep running through these events. The protection required depends on the disturbance, the equipment’s sensitivity, and how the backup system responds.
What happens during a power blip?
A brief interruption can be enough to shut down sensitive electronics, even when utility power returns almost immediately. The resulting disruption may last much longer than the electrical event itself.
A battery backup system supplies stored energy when incoming power fails. However, transfer time matters. Some systems take a few milliseconds to switch to battery power, and the connected equipment must be able to tolerate that gap. And while most do, occasionally, an ultra-sensitive apparatus might require zero transfer time. In that case, an online double-conversion UPS operating in double-conversion would probably be the right solution. Choosing the appropriate design starts with understanding how much interruption your equipment can tolerate.
Can battery backup protect against brownouts?
A brownout occurs when supply voltage falls below its normal level. Electricity is still available, but the voltage may be outside the operating range of connected equipment.
Different backup systems handle this condition differently. A standby UPS may switch to battery power when voltage drops too far. A system with automatic voltage regulation can correct certain voltage variations without drawing on its batteries, preserving stored energy for an outage. Protection depends on the system’s design and specified operating range.
For facilities experiencing repeated low-voltage events, reviewing voltage regulation alongside battery capacity helps identify a system suited to the actual problem.
What about surges?
A surge is a brief increase in voltage that can damage electrical equipment. Addressing it requires surge protection, not simply enough battery capacity to keep equipment running.
Many UPS systems include surge suppression, but the protection offered varies. A facility may also need coordinated surge protective devices at its electrical distribution equipment and near sensitive loads. Built-in UPS protection should be evaluated as part of that broader approach.
Can battery backup bridge the gap before a generator takes over?
A standby generator needs time to start and establish usable power before the transfer switch connects the load. Equipment without battery backup may shut down during that interval.
A compatible UPS can support connected equipment while the generator starts and the transfer occurs. Successful integration requires checking more than runtime: generator capacity, voltage and frequency stability, and the UPS’s input requirements all affect performance. The system should also account for the transition back to utility power.
Start with the equipment and the process
Before selecting a system, identify:
- Which devices must remain operational, including supporting network and control equipment.
- Their running loads and startup demands.
- Their voltage, phase, and transfer-time requirements.
- How long they need battery support.
- Whether the system will operate with a generator.
Protecting one controller may preserve its settings, but it does not necessarily keep an entire production process running. Define the intended outcome, then verify that all equipment needed to achieve it is covered.
EverSafe offers battery backup solutions with features including brownout protection, surge protection, and power conditioning. The appropriate configuration depends on your application and the selected system’s specifications.
Contact EverSafe Power to review your equipment, existing backup power, and runtime needs, and request a system recommendation.
