In any industry that necessitates the use of an uninterruptible power supply, or UPS, there must be some sort of bypass system in place to produce power in case the UPS is overloaded. There are two main types of bypass systems: static and maintenance. The maintenance bypass is used when maintenance needs to be performed on the UPS, and the bypass is usually performed manually. Static bypass comes into play when there is an overload on the UPS system, and can be manual or automatic. There are different types of static bypass systems, but sync bypass is among the most preferred systems for most applications.
What is UPS Overload?
Overload on a UPS system can occur for a number of different reasons. Some overload occurrences are due to a fault, most commonly human error; a load addition, in which a device or devices are plugged in beyond the UPS’s power-producing capacity; a failing load device, if some device pulling from the UPS starts drawing too much power as it progressively fails; or failure of the UPS itself. Whatever the cause, when an overload happens, it is necessary for the load to bypass the UPS and pull straight from a generator or another UPS that is part of the bypass system. This will prevent the UPS from overheating and failing, and keep everything running smoothly while the overload problem is addressed.
How Do Bypass Systems Work?
Various bypass systems work in different ways. Once upon a time, bypass could only be performed manually, but most systems are now automatic and come with the option to bypass manually if needed. Depending on the UPS, the bypass may be activated by a timer, which times the seconds or minutes that a UPS is pulling more than 100%, or it may respond immediately to certain percentages of overload. Either way, the batteries that provide the UPS with its power will lose access to the UPS, and the current will be redirected to the bypass system, where it will be able to convert and distribute more power.
What Makes Sync Bypass Preferable to Other Bypass Systems?
A sync bypass system is designed to make the transition from UPS to bypass quicker and smoother. For the power draw to transfer from one power source to another, both sources have to be in sync with each other. This means that the frequency, voltage, and phase of both sources must match. Many systems may take up to a few minutes to synchronize, which in certain applications could be catastrophic. Sync bypass systems always stay in sync, so the switch from UPS to bypass is instantaneous and seamless. Five Star Electric’s sync bypass systems can be custom designed to your specifications and installed in a safe, timely, and professional manner.
