An alternative approach to the design of standby power systems

The authors review three of the commonly available types of AC UPS; static, rotary and diesel rotary. The relative merits of their electrical performance are discussed. In particular it is considered how their operational characteristics reflect upon the overall design and performance of the standby power system. The conclusion drawn from this comparative exercise is that optimising the design of a standby system is conditional upon the acceptability of a complete `systems´ approach being adopted. The authors also highlight an alternative approach to the design of standby power system which offers certain merits