As consultants, often we are asked if an Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) is a necessity for a buildings communications cabinet? Often building operators will see a UPS as a luxury and is sometimes an item that is highlighted as a value engineering option on a project during it’s early stages. Within this blog post, we aim to provide an overview of a UPS, the benefits of using one even and finally an example from one of our recent award winning projects.
A UPS system is a mode of stand-by power, that provides power to a load in the event of a mains power failure or in the event of voltage irregularities. There are three main types of UPS systems.
Offline/Standby: This UPS is the most basic system and provides surge protection and battery backup. When the incoming mains electricity falls above or below a predetermined voltage level, the UPS switches on and provides power to the load. This UPS is often used for personal computers.
Line-interactive UPS: A Line-interactive UPS regulates voltage by using an autotransformer that can boost or reduce incoming voltage without switching to a battery. It provides battery backup during power outages, with a short transfer time (typically 2–4 milliseconds). This type of UPS is efficient and commonly used for network equipment, small servers, and office devices.
Online/Double Conversion: An Online/Double-Conversion UPS continuously converts incoming AC power to DC, then back to AC using an inverter, providing clean and stable power to a building’s systems. During a power outage, there is no transfer time, as the inverter is always supplying the load. This system is ideal for critical equipment like data centres, medical devices, and servers that require high reliability and consistent voltage quality.
Although the capabilities of a UPS will differ depending on your needs and budget, the range of benefits a UPS offers are vast. These benefits include:
Instant Power: In the event of a mains power failure, a UPS will provide power to IT equipment within milliseconds, ensuring zero downtime for an organisations network. In contrast a generator will take a number of seconds to kick in due to it’s starting mechanisms.
Stable Power: When electricity is transported through the transmission and distribution network, it is subject to voltage sags and spikes. These anomalies can cause harm to IT equipment, resulting in wear and tear over time and in some cases, a failure of the equipment. A UPS system can be selected to recognise voltage regularities and condition the power they deliver.
Short Outages: Although the duration of switch time depends on the type of UPS, the switch from mains power to battery power ranges from instant to less than 25 milliseconds. This ensures networks systems remain protected from momentary outages. In contrast, a generator may take a few seconds to kick in and take over supply.
Compact and Low Maintenance: UPS systems are quick to deploy and require minimal maintenance. In contrast, a generator will require regular servicing, refuelling and operational testing.
Minimal noise and no fumes: A UPS system is quiet and compact, often placed within the comms room. In contrast a generator occupies a large space and requires outdoor space or flue ventilation.
The value of a UPS was proven on our recent Europe House project. EDC was appointed by Lioncor to deliver full MEP design from tender through construction for the new European Union Headquarters (Ireland) on Chatham Lane, Dublin 2. The seven-storey building combines a public exhibition space with offices for EU Commission and European Parliament staff.
With tight city-centre constraints, plant space was at a premium. By selecting and integrating a UPS early, we housed it within the main plant room alongside other services, minimising footprint while safeguarding the building’s critical IT.
Many operators ask whether a UPS is really necessary for a comms cabinet. In practice, a UPS delivers instant, clean power during sags and outages, protects sensitive equipment, and enables orderly shutdowns when required. At Chatham House, that meant uninterrupted IT resilience without sacrificing valuable floor area, exactly the kind of pragmatic reliability modern buildings demand.
