Having as few people as possible moving around the data centre is always desirable and the 2020/21 pandemic has created a new impetus for keeping physical human presence to a minimum.
Operators concerned about what happens to their data centres if they cannot get the necessary people into the facility due to COVID restrictions on travel, or because people are ill, are seeking ways to reduce dependency on personnel.How can this be achieved in data centres where operators are used to depending on smart hands and hot hands to maintain and manage M+E equipment?
To take people out of the picture begins with removing the need for on-site physical intervention (which causes downtime or at least reduced security) as far as possible.
There are three main points which can help cut downtime and therefore human intervention.
The first is through higher UPS reliability.
Reliability is however difficult to interpret practically but it can be directly translated into failure rates which are more readily comparable.
This is where Piller’s latest advances in its UB-V UPS series can provide a way forward. Although both are electrically-coupled technologies, the Piller UB-V UPS is more reliable than traditional static UPS systems.
Piller calculated the number of failed units over time, starting with 100% working units at the beginning, and considering field experience and published MTBF (Mean Time Between Failure) figures of the two electrically coupled UPS technologies. The data indicates that by using the UB-V UPS technology the number of failures can be reduced 5 times compared to common static UPS units.
The second factor is lower maintenance requirements. This is accomplished by reducing or eliminating as many of the wear parts as possible. The Piller UB-V UPS does not, for example, rely on the use of power capacitors or fast component change-out designs intended to counteract higher failure rates.
And the third factor which contributes significantly to a decrease in downtime is the self-diagnostic and communication capabilities of the UB-V UPS.
Most UPS technologies require the site attendance of a technician to check the condition of the UPS and perform routine maintenance activities on an annual basis.
With the UB-V technology this can be extended to intervals of up to five years by virtue of the design coupled with extensive monitoring of more than 100 parameters of the UPS and predictive maintenance for wear parts.
Using a secure data connection, if an abnormality occurs the UPS generates an alarm and transmits a data pack to a 24/7 available service organization which analyses the data, gives feedback to the client and initiates action where required.
Otherwise, the owner/operator can rest safe in the knowledge that the UPS continues to operate satisfactorily without the need for human intervention.
Keeping data centre operations safe
In the current pandemic situation and in post pandemic operations data centre operators need confidence in their UPS. But they also want independence from any restrictions due to local COVID rules. This is what the UB-V can provide.
Power chain designs that rely on fewer people being present for continuous UPS operations inside the data centre through greater automation and remote monitoring and management can be achieved. Designers, developers and operators now have the option of advanced technology and advanced tools to provide exactly this.
The goal should be less physical intrusion, less frequent and lower contact without sacrificing dependability.
Having fewer people inside the data centre is also helping to keep the data centre environment secure and safe.
More details on Piller UB-V Electrically Coupled UPS.
For more information on data centre safety and reliability please see the on-demand Webinar – The Future of Data Centre UPS Power at Scale
