True Modular UPS Solutions  

There are many uninterruptible power supplies on the market that claim to be modular. Any UPS capable of parallel operation can be described in marketing terms as a ‘modular’ UPS. But there’s a vast difference between true modular UPS technology and a parallel system configured in a modular way.

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

Two Types of Modular UPS Technology

Parallel UPS systems whose UPS modules operate as a system by sharing common components are described as having Centralised Parallel Architecture (CPA). The major benefit of a CPA system is cost, as expensive components (such as those used in module control circuitry and static switches) 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’, which adversely affects system availability.

Why use De-Centralised Parallel Architecture?

Parallel UPS systems whose UPS modules share no common components are described as having De-centralised Parallel Architecture (DPA)™. The major benefit of a DPA™ system is extremely high availability (up to six nines - 99.9999%) as there are effectively no single points of failure in the system. DPA™ systems are typically more expensive than CPA systems 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.

Uninterruptible Power Supplies Ltd’s portfolio of modular UPS systems all use Decentralised Parallel Architecture (DPA™).  They are rack-mounted modular transformerless UPS, use easy to replace ‘hot-swap modules and provide parallel redundancy.  All these benefits combined make them a true modular UPS system solution:

PowerWAVE 9000DPA : Modular, Three-Phase, 10 – 250kVA (200kVA N+1)

A rack-mounted modular, transformerless UPS, the PowerWAVE 9000DPA uses proven Decentralised Parallel Architecture (DPA™) technology to uniquely provide true ‘hot-swap’ modularity, ‘six-nines’ availability, powerful scalability, high efficiency, low total cost of ownership, the industry's smallest footprint and up to 1MVA N+1 parallel redundancy. more

PowerWAVE 8000DPA : Modular, Three-Phase, 10 – 120kVA (100kVA N+1)

Rack-mounted or rack-independent modular, transformerless UPS for critical power protection up to 120kVA (100kVA N+1).  PowerWAVE 8000DPA provides class leading efficiency, ‘six-nines’ availability, flexibility and low total cost of ownership by uniquely combining the benefits of Decentralised Parallel Architecture (DPA™) technology, parallel redundancy and ‘hot-swap’ modularity. more