Power Inverters for Data Centers
Companies rely on data centers to do two things: provide offsite data storage that prevents data from being lost when a disaster destroys the IT system, and provide access to data that supports daily business applications. To meet these needs, a data center must have electricity at all times, even in the event of a utility outage. To ensure that a data center has electricity during a utility outage, it is outfitted with a device known as an Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS), a large battery that supplies electricity when utility feed is unavailable.
Converting Battery Energy
Computers in data centers instantaneously receive electricity from a UPS when utility feed is interrupted. However, because batteries produce Direct Current (DC), the energy a UPS produces must be converted into Alternating Current (AC), the type of electricity that computers use. For the conversion to occur, the line from the UPS must be outfitted with an inverter, which transfers DC to AC, making it possible to use electricity from a DC source to support equipment that requires AC.
If equipment that requires AC receives DC instead, one of two things will occur: the equipment will stop working, or it will exhibit effects of harmonic distortion, which occurs when a harmonic differential exists between the electrical input signal and electrical output signal of a device. When the differential is significant, computers can exhibit effects such as lines rolling across the screen and buzzing sounds. When computers receive electricity from a DC source, using power inverters helps prevent these occurrences.
Choosing The Right Equipment
Power inverters are designed to be used in different operating environments. To ensure that they buy inverters that are suitable for the application, many companies refer to Network Equipment-Building System (NEBS) ratings the devices receive: level 1, level 2, or level 3. Bell Labs created NEBS standards to standardize equipment that is used in Regional Bell Operating Company (RBOC) central offices. However, the standards are also useful for choosing equipment for other environments.
A level 2 NEBS rating is given to equipment that is suitable for use in a controlled environment that is not subject to environmental stressors. This rating is ideal for power inverters that are used in a data center. If your company needs an inverter to use with a UPS in a data center, contact a provider of commercial electrical solutions today to inquire about acquiring a NEBS level 2 inverter.
Converting Battery Energy
Computers in data centers instantaneously receive electricity from a UPS when utility feed is interrupted. However, because batteries produce Direct Current (DC), the energy a UPS produces must be converted into Alternating Current (AC), the type of electricity that computers use. For the conversion to occur, the line from the UPS must be outfitted with an inverter, which transfers DC to AC, making it possible to use electricity from a DC source to support equipment that requires AC.
If equipment that requires AC receives DC instead, one of two things will occur: the equipment will stop working, or it will exhibit effects of harmonic distortion, which occurs when a harmonic differential exists between the electrical input signal and electrical output signal of a device. When the differential is significant, computers can exhibit effects such as lines rolling across the screen and buzzing sounds. When computers receive electricity from a DC source, using power inverters helps prevent these occurrences.
Choosing The Right Equipment
Power inverters are designed to be used in different operating environments. To ensure that they buy inverters that are suitable for the application, many companies refer to Network Equipment-Building System (NEBS) ratings the devices receive: level 1, level 2, or level 3. Bell Labs created NEBS standards to standardize equipment that is used in Regional Bell Operating Company (RBOC) central offices. However, the standards are also useful for choosing equipment for other environments.
A level 2 NEBS rating is given to equipment that is suitable for use in a controlled environment that is not subject to environmental stressors. This rating is ideal for power inverters that are used in a data center. If your company needs an inverter to use with a UPS in a data center, contact a provider of commercial electrical solutions today to inquire about acquiring a NEBS level 2 inverter.
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