SPECIAL FEATURE
UPS & POWER DISTRIBUTION
WHY ELECTRICIANS SHOULD OFFER BACKUP POWER AS A CRITICAL SOLUTION Electricity supply reliability has become of increasing concern to business owners, says Stewart Gregory, VP Power Products at Schneider Electric UK&I.
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udden blackouts caused by floods, heat waves or severe storms can shut down critical equipment, impacting smart home applications and even bringing the point-of-sale (POS) system at businesses to a close. Additionally, frequent brownouts, caused by aging or overwhelmed power grids, have affected many people. These power disruptions threaten the digital connections many small businesses have come to depend on. Electricians can play an important role in dealing with this power uncertainty by proactively offering them uninterruptible power supply (UPS) – a practical solution that can keep businesses up and running, even when the power goes down. UPSs not only provide backup power protection but also surge protection, by incorporating a battery that can supply energy to electronics and appliances during an outage or brownout. When not in use, the battery is constantly recharged, so it will be ready to go when called upon. Furthermore, it will kick in instantly as soon as power is disrupted – even during a minor flicker – so data is protected and connected equipment doesn’t suffer any damage that power fluctuations can cause.
Rise of power outages
UPSs not only provide backup power protection but also surge protection
Examples of outages from severe weather – and human error – cutting power to large populations are easy to find. In August 2020, the California independent system operator overseeing the state’s electricity grid imposed rolling blackouts as heat-related demand came close to surpassing supply. Hundreds of thousands of homes and businesses were affected.
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And only a month earlier, more than 700 million people in India were left in the dark as three of the country’s five grid systems failed, due to demand surpassing capacity. As in California, extreme heat drove utility customers to turn up their air conditioners, taking down utility supplies in 20 of the country’s 28 states. And less catastrophic failures also occur regularly, caused by increasingly severe storms or aging electrical infrastructure. While such outages may be brief or affect smaller populations, their impacts can still be significant. For homeowners, it can mean damage to sensitive – and costly – electronics. Without the protection a UPS offers, computers, smart TVs, gaming consoles, and other devices can be exposed to power fluctuations that can shorten their lifespans considerably. And sudden power surges can cause irreparable damage to the equipment, with an unexpected, expensive replacement as the only solution.
Devices can be exposed to power fluctuations that can shorten their lifespans
A crucial recommendation UPSs provide reliable power to the equipment that ensures business continuity. On top of this, working and learning from home has required the kind of reliable, uninterrupted power that can be provided by UPSs. When it comes to the selection and installation of UPS, customers will look to electricians for help. And so, you mustn’t underestimate the important role you play in empowering customers to minimise their power-related disruptions. Recommending UPS solutions will also increase revenue and build your own business’s reputation. The offer of UPSs presents a great opportunity for electricians to expand their business portfolio, with reliable backup power solutions that will allow their customers to remain connected and productive.
Need of unique protection for small businesses Downtime for small businesses can translate to unhappy customers and lost revenue, which is why UPS protection is critical for them. Many owners are concerned, and with good reason. In a recent survey of more than 500 small- and medium-size business executives, 37% reported having lost business due to computer-related downtime. Many different applications can be impacted by a power outage or disruption. Point-of-sale (POS) systems, for example, are critical components for many companies, helping to manage sales, track inventory, and even aid workforce management. Some businesses simply cannot operate if an outage or other power disturbance takes the POS system offline. Similarly, safety and security also are bottom-line considerations for any business operation. Alarm and notification systems, along with security cameras and related telecom and Wi-Fi equipment, must remain operational during outage situations. Finally, heating, ventilation, and air conditioning equipment (HVAC) poses a risk to operations should it go offline during an outage. Customers and employees might choose to leave if conditions become too uncomfortable. And for some businesses, such as restaurants, bakeries, and veterinary offices, an HVAC failure could be especially damaging.
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22/11/2021 14:34
