N+1 UPS

N+1, also called parallel redundancy, is a safeguard to ensure that an uninterruptible

power supply (UPS) system is always available. N+1 stands for the number of UPS
modules that are required to handle an adequate supply of power for essential connected
systems, plus one more.

If an enterprise data center uses a single large UPS, and that module fails, systems will be
disrupted. In an N+1 scheme, multiple small UPS modules and batteries are integrated
together. During normal operations, the load is shared equally across all modules, which
behave as if they were a single large UPS device. If a single module fails or needs to be
taken offline for service, the UPS system will still be able to provide an adequate supply
of power because it's already been configured with one extra module.

When N+1 is used for redundancy, the UPS modules should be sized so that the total
anticipated load can be carried by three modules. The benefits of N+1 diminish after that
point.

Five tips for N+1 uninterruptible power

supply (UPS) design
By Robin Roy

searchDataCenter.in

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N+1 redundancy (or parallel redundancy) is a safeguard to ensure a UPS system's

availability in the event of component failure — especially in a tier 2 or a tier 3
datacenter. When considering an N+1 UPS configuration, it's essential to keep in mind
that the UPS' specifications should be outlined keeping in mind criticality of applications
rather than the data center's size.

Tip 1: Ideal scenarios to deploy an N+1 UPS configuration

When it comes to the UPS, it is not enough to have redundancy built into just a single
system. In India, many data centers still use legacy systems. N+1 UPS can be achieved in
such systems using static transfer switches (STS). STS transfers this load to a bypass
source in case of loss of power at the UPS' output. STS can be deployed in front of a
single input load, such that two independent power supplies from two clusters of UPS can
be used to further boost system reliability.
Tip 2: Incorporating system efficiency in N+1 UPS design

Blade servers have high power density, many a time escalating power requirements. For
example, if a normal server setup requires 5 kW, blade servers may push the
requirements to 20 kW. Hence you should use a higher power density UPS for

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blade servers.

In N+1 redundancy, the UPS is being used to only 50% of its efficiency. In normal
situations, you can push it to 75%. The part load efficiency of any system is always
inferior to its full load efficiency. Thus, one of the challenges is to improve part load
efficiency, for which the efficiency curve should be kept very flat.

Tip 3: Things to consider during UPS module selection

Cost is always top of the mind when it comes to selection of UPS modules for an N+1
UPS setup. Apart from cost, electricity consumption is another area which directly affects
UPS module selection.

In Indian conditions, if the UPS can work on a wider range of input voltages, it does not
consume battery power. UPS batteries tend to wear out earlier with more usage, bringing
in huge replacement costs. Thus, you should look at UPS technologies like advanced
battery management, which closely monitors battery charging. If you can make the UPS
work over a wider input range, then batteries can be discarded altogether.

Another belief is that you can increase the UPS' reliability through UPS oversizing. Such
cases always involve restricting the amount of extractable UPS reliability.

Tip 4: Investigate the UPS system's loads during design

Till date, data center managers have always played it very conservative when it comes to
N+1 UPS design. They typically size the UPS according to the available connected load.

Servers are typically designed for a certain power rating. Hence IT managers should
judiciously consider that adversity factor, as well as the simultaneity factor (how many
loads will come at a given point of time) during N+1 UPS design. This will help them in
terms of not oversizing the UPS.

Another belief is that you can increase the UPS' reliability through UPS oversizing. Such
cases always involve restricting the amount of extractable UPS reliability.

It is best to go for a modular UPS system when it comes to N+1 UPS setups. In this case,
another UPS module can take over if a module becomes faulty. However, in such cases
you should also look at the system's hot swappability.

Tip 5: Handling UPS power consumption

The N+1 UPS' power consumption will depend on the server's kilowatt demand.
Unfortunately, we continue have a mix of legacy systems and new blade servers in India.
In the future, there will be more IT equipment with power factor correction. In a
conventional system, if the UPS develops a fault, it gets raw power through the bypass.
Thus, continuity of power is maintained. Modular systems have an extra module, so if
there is a failure, the other module still remains in online mode. Thus, there is no question
of the UPS system going into the bypass.

About the author: Robin Roy is the product manager for UPS solutions at Delta Energy
Systems (I) Pvt. Ltd. He is responsible for introduction of new products for different
market segments, business verticals and applications, with state-of-the-art technology for
power conditioning.

(As told to Jasmine Desai.)