The document discusses modular uninterruptible power supply (UPS) systems and the differences between true modular or decentralized parallel architecture (DPA) and centralized parallel architecture (CPA). It states that DPA is more reliable because each module has independent functional blocks like batteries and microprocessors, avoiding single points of failure, while CPA has centralized components that could cause an outage if they fail. The document recommends DPA for its redundancy and argues it provides a more reliable modular UPS solution than CPA.

1. The DPA Modular vs Modular

2. Main messages
• CPA Modular downgrades your UPS
• Modular Competition is present but DPA is better
• Improve your know how in the Modular market
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3. Content
• Why Modular UPS and its requirements
• Application Field of Modular UPS solution
• True modular UPS architecture (DPA)
• The misconception of modular UPS architecture (CPA)
and its actors
• Summery : Advantages of systems with DPA
• Conclusion
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4. Why Modular UPS
• Improvement in semiconductor technology
IGBT and Transformerless
• A climate of increasingly demanding business
High availability to reduce risk of downtime
Standardize product for service optimisation
Flexibility in changing configuration without third parties
• CAPEX optimization
Pay as you growth solution
Less footprint (saving space)
• OPEX optimization
Less spares, only UPS modules
UPS’s efficiency optimization
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5. Which Requirements people expect from
a true Modular UPS system
Extention
≥
Module 3
Module 2
Module 1
• The same functional blocks on each UPS module as per standalone UPS
• Higher efficiency ; -> Lower total cost of ownership (TCO)
• The same or better technical performances than on stand alone; -> True redundency
• Higher realibility availability ; -> Higher MTBF and low MTTR
• Easy scalability ; -> Flexibility for dynamic business environment
• Reduced footprint ; -> Less surface costs
• Hot swappability ; -> Wireless capability
• Front access only ; -> Easy maintenable, less operational surface needed)
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6. Main differences between stand alone and
Modular UPS
Non modular Modular
Power increase flexibility
Power decrease flexibility
F-lexibility Tier changes flexibility
Fast reconfiguration
On-Line UPS
Parallel redundant
A-vailability Low MTTR
Hot-Swap technology
Pay as you grow
Vertical paralleling (low space)
T-CO Product standardisation
Optimized efficiency
Reusable modules
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7. Application Field of Modular UPS solution
• The load is very critical (high availability is needed)
• The future amount of load is unknown (pay as you growth)
• A UPS efficiency’s optimization is required
• The available space for UPS is small (less surface and installation costs)
• The customer is looking for added value UPS (price/performance ratio)
• Big organizations are involved (homogeneous UPS offer)
• The customer is looking for a flexible solution w/o additional future
installation costs
• The customer is looking for a self made repair solution
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8. A true modular UPS architecture
(Standalone system)
UPS’s functional block
LCD Display
Microprocessor
Rectifier
Battery
Inverter
Static by-pass
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9. A true modular UPS architecture
(Standalone system)
A modular UPS is considered a TRUE modular only when each UPS module is equipped with all
functional blocks (rectifier, inverter,static by-pass, LCD display, microprocessor (CPU)) and
with dedicated battery capability in order to avoid Single Point of Failure
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10. A true modular UPS architecture
(Parallel system)
Input
Input Output
Output
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11. A true modular UPS architecture
(Operational)
An hot swappable UPS module is the
one which can be removed from the
frame while it is powered on and does
not require a reboot of the system, load
transfer to raw mains or load’s shut
down
A modular UPS is considered a TRUE modular only when the UPS modules are
hot-swappable and the frame is full front accessible for service and maintenance
purpose.
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12. A true modular UPS uses DPA
Decentralized Parallel Architecture
Input Output
.
.
.
• Decentralized LCD display
• Decentralized microprocessor
DPA • Decentralized battery
• Decentralized static by-pass
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13. The misconception of modular UPS
architecture : Centralized Parallel Architecture (CPA)
DPA CPA
Input Output Input Output
CPA CPA
Input Output Input Output
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14. The misconception of modular UPS’s
Centralized Parallel Architecture (CPA)
Input Output • Centralized LCD display
• Centralized microprocessor CPU
• Centralized battery
• Centralized static by-pass
Input Output • Centralized LCD display
• Redundant microprocessor CPU
• Decentralized battery
• Centralized static by-pass
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15. The misconception of modular UPS’s
Centralized Parallel Architecture (CPA)
Input Output • Centralized LCD display
• Centralized microprocessor CPU
• Decentralized battery
• Decentralized static by-pass
Input Output • Centralized LCD display
• Decentralized microprocessor CPU
• Centralized battery
• Centralized static by-pass
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16. Why DPA is more reliable compared
to CPA?
Failure on CPU
Centralized Parallel
Architecture (CPA) The system is out of control and
may: go on by-pass or stop the
Output
operation
Input
No measurement, alarm, event log
available
A technical specialist is required to
recover the system
Single CPU based modular UPS
are to a certain extend less
reliable than a traditional parallel
UPS systems
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17. Why DPA is more reliable compared
to CPA?
Centralized Parallel Failure on battery
Architecture (CPA)
No back up in case of mains
failure
Input Output
Even with multiple battery’ strings
the autonomy time is substantially
reduced
Immediate intervention is needed
With single battery, a modular
UPS is less reliable than a
traditional parallel UPS systems
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18. Why DPA is more reliable compared
to CPA?
Centralized Parallel Failure on LCD display
Architecture (CPA)
No measurement, alarm, event log
available
Mains Load
A technical specialist is required to
recover the communication and
control of the UPS
With single LCD display, a
modular UPS is less reliable than
a traditional parallel UPS systems
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19. Why DPA is more reliable compared
to CPA?
Failure on Static by-pass
Centralized Parallel In case of overload, long short circuit
Architecture (CPA) or inverter failure, the load transfer is
not possible even in case with a
centralized bypass in 2nd frames
Input Output
A technical specialist is required to
recover the UPS
The by-pass must be rated at its final
load capability since the starting phase
No flexibility in case of configuration
changes
With single static by-pass, a modular
UPS is less reliable than a traditional
parallel UPS systems
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20. Modular UPS’ market share & actors
1% 5% 12%
Modular
Traditional
99% 95% 88%
1998 2006 2009 2010
Newave launched the first Newave launched the second Newave launched the third
three phase modular UPS generation of three phase generation of three phase
modular UPS modular UPS
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21. The “Modular” newcomers in the UPS world
Don’t worry
Symmetra Blade Power Mega Archimode
APM Enertronic
PX UPS + Power +
C D C D C D C D C D C D C D
C: Centralized CPA
D: Decentralized DPA
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22. The “Modular” newcomers in the UPS world
Don’t worry
Phased out Phased out
Modulys Masterys NH Protect Protect MP-NET
Series B8033
GreenPower EB 3M 2.0 3M
C D C D C D C D C D C D C D
C: Centralized CPA
D: Decentralized DPA
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23. The “Modular” newcomers in the UPS world
Don’t worry
EPI
Gripower Multi
Must RX-MTR EA 660
90 Guard
C D C D C D C D C D C D
C: Centralized CPA
D: Decentralized DPA
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24. Summery
Advantages of systems with DPA
• Each critical component is redundant > no single point of failure
• Each module in case of any component failure can be isolated from
the parallel system in a secured manner
• Quick shut-down of the module if front accessable
• Whatever the component failure, the system does not go overload
but keep supplying the load with maximum safety, and that is on
inverter
• Seperate battery configuration allows to exchange minimum
quantity of battery in case of premature usage:
Mix of battery (new / old) can be avoided
• Easy maintenance and repair (Safe swap)
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25. Conclusion
Simple explanation of DPA versus CPA
Independent hook
means DPA
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26. Conclusion
Simple explanation of DPA versus CPA
Would you choose for
a CPA solution?
CPA downgrade your UPS
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27. Thank you for your attention
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