Reference
UPS resources, in-depth guides and FAQs.
Long-form engineer-grade guides on sizing, redundancy, and battery chemistry. Calculators that follow the same methodology our engineers use on commissioned work. Plus the FAQs our team answers most often.
In-depth guides
6 long-form references on UPS architecture and lifecycle.
Each piece is a 10-15 minute read covering one decision in detail. Methodology, worked examples, Australian Standards references, and the checklists our engineers use on commissioned work.
Methodology
How to Size a UPS for Your Site
A practical, engineer-grade walkthrough of how to size a UPS without over-buying or under-protecting your load. Australian standards, real worked examples, and the questions every site survey should answer.
Lifecycle
Lithium vs VRLA UPS Batteries: A 2026 Decision Guide
When does a lithium upgrade pay back? When is VRLA still the right call? A working comparison across capex, opex, service life, compliance and operational risk.
Architecture
Tier I, II, III & IV Redundancy — A Practical Guide for Australian Sites
A working translation of Uptime Institute Tier classifications into the architectural decisions that drive UPS, generator and cooling design. With Australian site examples and a tier-mapping checklist.
Buying Guide
Uninterruptible Power Supply Buyers Guide: How to Choose the Right UPS in Australia
A practical guide to selecting the right uninterruptible power supply for Australian server rooms, data centres and critical infrastructure.
Technical Guide
Three-Phase vs Single-Phase UPS: How to Choose the Right Configuration
Understanding when your facility needs three-phase UPS power and when single-phase will do the job.
Battery Technology
Lithium-Ion vs VRLA UPS Batteries in Australia: Full Comparison
A factual comparison of lithium-ion and VRLA battery technologies for UPS applications in Australian facilities.
Frequently asked questions
Sizing
Q01
What size UPS do I need for my server room?
Add up the wattage of all equipment to be protected (read from PDU meters or nameplate ratings), multiply by 1.25 to allow for inrush and growth, then convert to kVA by dividing by your equipment power factor (typically 0.9 for modern IT). For a typical 10kW server room load, a 12-15kVA UPS with 10-15 minute runtime is appropriate. Our team performs a free load assessment to confirm sizing.
Q02
How long should my UPS run on battery?
Battery runtime depends on your generator handover strategy. If you have a generator, 5-15 minutes covers genset startup and warm-up. If no generator, runtime targets are typically driven by graceful-shutdown time (10-15 minutes for IT) or critical-process duration. Telco exchanges typically run 4-8 hours.
Topology
Q01
Single-phase vs three-phase UPS: which do I need?
Single-phase UPS handles up to ~20kVA (in practice, most installations cap at 10-12kVA for thermal and circuit reasons). Above that, three-phase UPS is more efficient and balances load across phases for the building electrical system. Three-phase is also typical when the protected load itself is three-phase (motor drives, large HVAC, industrial process).
Q02
Online vs line-interactive vs standby: which UPS topology?
Online (double-conversion) UPS continuously regenerates the output sine wave from the DC bus, best for sensitive equipment, dirty input power, and mission-critical IT. Line-interactive UPS uses an AVR transformer and switches to inverter only when input fails, cost-effective for typical IT and commercial. Standby/AVR is the cheapest and lowest-protection class, only for non-critical loads.
Maintenance
Q01
How often should a UPS be serviced?
Annual preventative maintenance is the manufacturer-recommended minimum. Mission-critical environments (data centres, hospitals, telco) typically run bi-annual or quarterly schedules driven by ISO 27001 / ISO 22301 compliance frameworks. High-temperature or dusty environments require more frequent intervention.
Q02
What is included in UPS preventative maintenance?
A typical service visit covers: battery impedance and discharge testing, infrared thermal imaging of critical connections, capacitor and fan condition assessment, transfer-to-bypass and inverter test, firmware revision check, alarm history download, cleaning of fans and air paths, and a structured site recommendations report delivered within 48 hours.
Q03
Can you service UPS at remote mining sites?
Yes. We service mining sites across QLD, WA, and NT. Our service contracts can include scheduled mobilisation windows, on-call response, and consignment spare parts placed at site to minimise mobilisation lead time for emergency events.
Batteries
Q01
When should I replace UPS batteries?
Two reliable triggers: (1) battery age, specifically VRLA at 3-5 years, AGM at 5-7 years, lithium-ion at 8-10 years; (2) impedance drift exceeding 25% from baseline measured during quarterly servicing. Self-test failures or "battery service" alarms on the UPS panel are confirmatory signs.
Q02
Lithium-ion vs VRLA UPS batteries: which is right for my site?
Lithium-ion delivers ~3x the service life of VRLA in the same footprint, with 5-year warranties standard. The trade-off: higher upfront cost and AS/NZS 5139:2019 installation compliance (location, ventilation, fire separation). For new installations and sites where battery-room footprint matters, lithium is increasingly the default. For replacement on existing equipment with no battery-room change, VRLA is often the simpler swap.
Q03
Are genuine OEM batteries necessary?
For UPS units still under manufacturer warranty: yes, non-OEM batteries can void warranty. For out-of-warranty units, high-quality equivalents from Vision, CSB, or Yuasa are functionally identical at lower cost. We advise on the trade-off based on asset age and remaining service life.
Commissioning
Q01
Why is manufacturer commissioning required?
Most UPS manufacturers require their factory-trained engineers to perform initial commissioning to activate the full warranty. Self-commissioning typically reduces warranty to 12 months parts-only. Manufacturer commissioning also ensures firmware, alarms, and battery management settings are configured per the validated reference build.
Q02
What is a load bank test?
A load bank test connects a controllable resistive load (typically up to 600kW) to the UPS output, allowing verification at full nameplate rating under real load. Recommended at commissioning AND after major battery replacements to validate runtime claims. We provide load bank testing as a packaged service across Australia.
Compliance
Q01
What Australian Standards apply to UPS installation?
AS/NZS 3000 (Wiring Rules) is mandatory. AS IEC 62040 series defines UPS equipment safety and performance. AS/NZS 5139:2019 governs battery system installations including lithium-ion. AS/NZS 4836 covers safe-work for live electrical work. WHS Act 2011 (and state regulations) covers worker safety obligations.
Q02
Do you have NV1/NV2 cleared technicians for Defence work?
Yes. We maintain a roster of security-cleared engineers for federal Defence and intelligence-community partners. Clearance levels include Baseline, NV1, and NV2 depending on facility class.
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