How to choose a UPS standby generator

Critical loads need protection from longer-duration blackouts as well as short-term power aberrations and cuts. UPSL’s Alex Emms looks at how to integrate a generator and UPS, and explores the key issues associated with installion of standby power into mission critical sites

To date, the UK has had a reasonably robust national grid for power distribution, backed up by access to continental European power. However, power cuts are not unknown; in November 2016, for example, London’s West End was blacked out for several hours. Then, in March 2018, the Harbour Exchange data centre in London experienced a long-duration power cut that impacted connected cloud service providers and communications companies. Services remained unavailable or degraded throughout the day. 

Incidents such as these, coupled with concerns about loss of ageing nuclear and coal-fired power station capacity, motivate data centre operators to protect themselves against longer-term blackouts as well as mains power aberrations and failures lasting milliseconds or seconds. Such protection must come from a UPS/generator pair, rather than just a UPS.

The generator and UPS as a pair

Correct set-up of a UPS/generator pair starts with understanding the two components’ complementary roles. During normal operation, the generator is powered down, although maintained and ready to start immediately on demand; it is described as a standby generator. Meanwhile, the utility mains supply flows through the UPS to the critical load. The UPS handles any short-term power aberrations or dropouts. However, there is always the possibility of a power blackout that lasts longer than the battery autonomy, irrespective of how much energy storage capacity is provided. 

Accordingly, the generator is connected to an automatic mains failure (AMF) detection panel, which initiates a generator start-up if a power cut becomes critically extended. Once the generator output has stabilised, it is switched on to the essential parts of the facility’s load, including the UPS. While the AMF should start the generator early enough to allow for this stabilisation, it should not signal a start during every minor supply disturbance. To avoid this, the AMF signal is typically delayed for 2-10 seconds after mains failure detection. 

It is equally important to avoid switching the load back to the mains prematurely. If mains power reappears, it may be part of the utility company’s fault location procedure or because of an automatic breaker operation. The fault may still exist, causing the supply to disconnect again almost immediately. To prevent these false starts, most AMF-controlled generators will continue to deliver power for at least two minutes after the mains supply is restored. Figure 1 shows a typical protected power installation with AMF panel.

AMF support is essential, but generators need two further features to fulfil their UPS standby function. The first concerns their ability to start reliably and quickly on demand, and the second is about supplying the UPS with an AC waveform that is stable in both amplitude and frequency.

Generators in standby applications use diesel engines similar to those found in large lorries. To ensure reliable start up, they should be well maintained, with an adequate fuel supply and a healthy battery for starting. Sufficient coolant and oil is also essential. The generators can be kept warm by mains-powered engine water heaters (or jacket heaters); a mains-powered battery charger is used to trickle-charge the starter battery.

The diesel engine drives an alternator that converts its mechanical power into electricity. In the UK, this is usually single-phase 230V or three-phase 400V. The voltage amplitude is set by how the alternator is wound, while its stability is controlled by an automatic voltage regulator (AVR). The alternator’s output voltage frequency – usually 50Hz in the UK – is determined by the engine speed. Typically, generators have an engine speed of 1,500rpm that equates to 50Hz electrical output frequency, although this depends on the alternator design. In any case, frequency stability, which is essential for UPS synchronisation, is assured by a mechanical or electronic engine governor that regulates the engine’s fuel feed.

Mechanical governors use springs and spinning weights to regulate fuel flow. They are lower cost than electronic types but they are less responsive and provide less stable engine speed – and therefore voltage frequency – regulation. Electronic governors regulate by counting the teeth on the alternator flywheel as it rotates. This approach is highly responsive and provides very stable engine speed regulation; accordingly, it is nearly always used by UPS standby generators.

Without this stability, the generator’s frequency range or slew rate may be wider than the UPS can accept. In the worst case, the UPS will set an alarm signal to warn that it will not transfer the load from the UPS to the raw generator output in the event of a fault.

Such situations can be avoided by the use of electronic governors, and by ensuring that the generator is designed specifically for UPS support, and thoroughly tested during commissioning.

Sizing and environmental considerations

Correct generator sizing is important, with oversizing usually being advisable. In most facilities, the generator must support air conditioning and emergency power as well as the UPS load. 

As an approximate guideline, 1.5 x nominal UPS capacity should be allowed for transformerless UPSs; this rises to 2 x nominal capacity for transformer-based UPSs, and 3 x nominal capacity for air conditioning.

Another sizing recommendation is to select generators according to their continuous rather than standby rating, as this will equip them better for running at any time and for any duration. Additionally, the generator’s ability to support a step load should be reviewed, especially if the critical load does not have any soft start facility.

The generator, once selected, must be installed into its environment correctly. All UK countries apart from Wales have regulations governing fuel storage, designed to prevent environmental damage. 

Most standby generators use a base tank that is double-bunded to ensure capture of any spilt fuel. Acoustic noise is another form of pollution, especially if the generator runs at night. Acoustic housings with various noise attenuation ratings, and costs, are available to mitigate this issue.

When running, generators create considerable heat and exhaust fume volumes. Usual practice is to install them outdoors in weatherproof and acoustic enclosures, to ensure sufficient airflow for cooling. Outdoor installation also simplifies venting of exhaust fumes. The generator must be installed on a flat, level surface such as a purpose-built concrete slab. It should also be positioned as close as possible to the AMF panel and/or the essential services board, to minimise the required power and signal cable lengths. 

Most data centres with critical loads regard generators as essential complements to UPSs within their power protection systems; they cannot afford to shut down during a power failure, even if the UPS allows them to do so ‘gracefully’. 

Ultimately, generators can fulfil their role successfully, provided that they are well-prepared, carefully matched to the UPS, and installed into their environment with sufficient care.