Protection for UPS Systems​

Are critical electrical consumers connected to UPS systems truly protected from the next power failure?

Faults such as voltage loss, short circuits, leaks, loose contacts, and overheating can lead to the rapid collapse of the data center and direct damage to equipment, as well as high costs resulting from downtime. In extreme cases, electrocution risks may also arise. In addition to direct damage, indirect damages may also occur, such as hardware failures, the need for data recovery, and reputation damage. Existing protections often fail to address most possible failures and are unable to predict the next damage.

37% of faults in data facilities are caused by electrical systems, while 13% of faults stem from failures in cooling systems.​

Possible Faults and Solutions:

 
1. Unstable Supply Voltage 
An On-line UPS system provides continuous power supply even during power outages. Additionally, when there are no outages, the system serves as a voltage stabilizer, supplying stable and high-quality power. 
However, there are instances where UPS systems fail, and the critical consumers connected to them suffer from poor and unstable power quality. 
GES System Solution: 
GES continuously monitors the UPS output 24/7 and detects anomalies indicating a failure in power supply, especially during voltage drops and power outages from the grid. Faults are detected early, well before any damage occurs to the critical consumers powered by the UPS system. 
2. Dual Feed Method for Servers (STS) – Expected Fault Without Backup 
The secure method for powering critical systems, such as servers, is through dual feeds from separate sources. In the event of a failure in one feed, the power supply to critical consumers is immediately transferred to the functioning feed. For this method to work effectively in real-time, it’s necessary to monitor both feeds 
to ensure that the total capacity of both does not cause an overload on either. 
GES System Solution: 
GES will detect and verify that both feeds are operational, identify potential overloads, and alert the user. This allows the user to make necessary corrections and adjustments, ensuring that critical systems remain operational in real-time. 

3. Fault in Grounding Disconnect 
A common fault occurs when the UPS is connected to an electrical panel with a transfer system between the generator and the electric company, and an incorrect transfer system is mistakenly selected. This condition can lead to the disconnection of the neutral conductor during the transfer, leaving the UPS output without grounding. This results in abnormal potential differences between the neutral and the ground. Additionally, when the transfer system is in a disconnected state, the UPS output is unprotected against electric shocks (floating ground without supervision). 
GES System Solution: 
GES detects this fault during even the shortest transfer times and notifies the user. Quick identification of this fault can prevent equipment damage and ensure safe installation in server rooms. 

4. Fault: UPS Entered BY-PASS Mode 
Sometimes the UPS switches to BY-PASS mode. This can happen during short circuit currents, overloads, or when the user switches it to BY-PASS and fails to return it to the proper mode. The danger in this case is that during a real-time failure of input voltages, the UPS will not respond, and equipment powered by the UPS will "fail". 
GES System Solution: 
GES detects when the UPS is in BY-PASS mode and sends an alert to the user. This helps the customer avoid critical consumer failure in real-time. When the GES system is installed in the distribution panel fed by the UPS, the customer can have greater peace of mind that the UPS is in a "healthy" state, properly connected, and will respond in real-time to backup critical consumers, both during regular operations and system maintenance.

 
Case Study: 
A client with server rooms and a 250KVA UPS system received an alert from the GES system about a failure in the UPS power supply during voltage sag from the power source. The fault involved a dangerous voltage spike to the equipment for a period of 10 seconds. This fault could have caused irreversible damage to the equipment and even worsened to result in a power failure to the servers. The alert from the GES system saved the client tens of thousands of shekels and prevented damage to their reputation.

Electric motors are widely used in various industries and are critical components in production lines. These motors consume significant energy,

and a failure can trigger a cascade of issues, including production line shutdowns, defective products, electrical hazards, fire risks, and substantial financial losses.

The GES system, installed in the electrical distribution panel for motors, continuously monitors motor performance during regular operations. It identifies common faults, such as: 

• Electrical leakage 
• Increased energy consumption 
• Abnormal starting currents 
• Imbalanced currents and voltages 
• Internal short circuits 

The Solution:

The system provides immediate alerts with detailed information about the fault, its location, and severity level. This early detection enables timely and targeted intervention, preventing severe damages and unplanned production line downtime.

Case Study:

In a factory with dozens of active electric motors, the GES system detected anomalies in one motor, indicating an internal fault requiring repair. Thanks to the early warning provided by the GES  system, the factory was able to schedule repairs at a convenient time, avoiding production halts and further damage.​