Centralised vs De-centralised Parallel Architecture

Parallel UPS systems comprise UPS modules that either share common components with other UPS modules (i.e. the modules are incapable of operating as a "stand-alone" UPS) or of completely independent UPS modules (i.e. the modules are capable of operating as a standalone" UPS).
 

Why use Centralised UPS Architecture?

Parallel UPS systems whose UPS modules operate as a system by sharing common components are described as having [Bookmark PA_CPA] Centralised Parallel Architecture (CPA) . The major benefit of CPA systems is cost, as expensive components such as those used in module control circuitry and static switches, for example, can be used by all of the modules in the system at the same time, thereby negating the need for each module to have its own control circuitry and static switch. The major drawback of CPA systems is that the "centralised" nature of the control and power switching components introduces a number of active "single-points of failure" into the system, which adversely affects the system's availability.
 

Why use De-Centralised UPS Architecture?

Parallel UPS systems whose UPS modules share no common components are described as having [Bookmark PA_DPA] De-centralised Parallel Architecture (DPA) . The major benefit of DPA systems is very high availability (up to 99.9999%) as there are effectively no single points of failure in the system. However, DPA systems tend to be more expensive as each module in the UPS system has its own independent, control circuitry and static switch. The capital cost of a DPA UPS system is typically 10% higher than its CPA equivalent but it offers a significantly higher level of system availability. For this reason, DPA systems are more popular than CPA systems, and DPA is the preferred choice of most professional users.

In our portfolio of products, the following UPS systems have de-centralised parallel architecture:

• PowerWAVE5000 [Link to the existing PowerWAVE5000 web page]
• PowerWAVE9000 Series TM [Link to the existing 'PowerWAVE9000 Series TM web page] which offers:
• vertically scaleable (per cabinet) capacity in the range 10kVA to 300kVA (or 200kVA '2+1' parallel-redundancy), and
• unlimited horizontally scaleable capacity or redundancy by connecting multiple cabinets in parallel
• PowerWAVE9000DPA Series TM [Link to PowerWAVE9000DPA web page] which offers:
• livertically scaleable (per cabinet) capacity in the range 10kVA to 250kVA (or 200kVA '4+1' parallel-redundancy, and
• unlimited horizontally scaleable capacity or redundancy by connecting multiple cabinets in parallel 
  

More information on how the PowerWAVE series can save your organisation money

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Benefits of Today's Parallel Architecture

Centralised vs De-centralised Parallel Architectures

The Benefits of UPS System Scaleability

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