Uninterruptible power supplies (UPS) with IQ Technology ensures a stable supply to electrical components in industrial environments.

They also provide detailed status information, such as up-to-date buffer time, which can be further processed by higher-level controllers. The intelligent UPS systems can easily be integrated into larger systems (Lead).

Uninterruptible power supplies are a crucial element in switching cabinets for machines and plants. They are used wherever voltage dips or dropouts are likely to cause expensive downtimes. These devices are designed to protect important consumers such as industrial PCs against data loss. As soon as the primary line supply shows problems of any kind, the UPS module switches the supply over to the connected energy storage device (Figure 1). The unique IQ Technology provided by Phoenix Contact’s QUINT UPS modules ensures that the system is supplied power reliably and with optimal usage of the storage device. The QUINT series’ intelligent UPS module does this by actively communicating with the connected storage device. This ensures a stable power supply to all connected consumers while making the best possible use of the available power reserves.

Remaining lifespan known at all times

In order to benefit from the advantages of IQ Technology, the user merely needs to install the hardware.
 The UPS module automatically detects the energy storage device and optimises the charging characteristics according to the storage technology and environmental temperature. The battery management function reads the charge level to determine the remaining runtime for the connected load. Thanks to IQ Technology, the user is continuously kept informed about both the charge level of the storage device and its remaining runtime and lifespan. This avoids supply interruptions and a premature, unnecessary shutdown of any connected industrial PCs. Maintenance work can be scheduled in advance, and premature replacement of the storage device is avoided; the remaining lifespan is known at all times and is reported to higher-level controllers either directly or via floating relay contacts.

Important data is available for analysis

LEDs on the front of the UPS module, as well as floating relay contacts, are available for functional monitoring. The QUINT UPS-IQ uses its wired contacts to signal when the storage device is supplying the load, being charged, or issuing an alarm. The contact assignment can be individually adapted via the UPS-CONF configuration and management software. This requires a data cable to connect the UPS module’s IFS (InterFace System) to a USB port. The IFS-USB data cable is particularly useful for configuring and monitoring the UPS system using the UPS CONF tool (Figure 2).

With this software, the user can flexibly adapt the QUINT UPS-IQ’s characteristics to the requirements of the given application. All of the relevant operating parameters are graphically displayed, and important messages are shown in the foreground. This happens, for example, when the line supply drops out and the UPS module switches over to the energy storage device. Events and information, such as when and for how long the QUINT UPS-IQ has buffered any line failures, are archived in a log file. This way, all the important data is transparently made available for analysis.

In order to take advantage of the free-of-charge configuration and management tool, users need to download an installation file from Phoenix Contact’s E-Shop and connect the uninterruptible power supply to the computer or industrial PC with the data cable described above. Once the self-explanatory installation file has been run, UPS-CONF is ready for operation. A poster is available that supports the hardware and software setup and explains usage of the tool (Figure 3).

Controlled shutdown of industrial PC

If a UPS system is used to provide power to an industrial PC, the PC mode should be used – this means that if there is a line dropout, the computer will receive battery power for as long as possible. The PC is then shut down in a controlled manner, before the battery voltage even starts to dip. When the QUINT UPS-IQ’s rotary selector is set to “PC Mode,” the UPS function complies with a time schedule that can be individually configured via the software to best suit the given requirements (Figure 4). This schedule consists of four consecutive functions:
•    Delay Time
The delay time is automatically calculated from the energy storage device’s current remaining runtime value minus the time required by the industrial PC for shutdown. This ensures that the computer is supplied with power for as long as possible — usually negating the need for a controlled shutdown. Alternatively, a fixed delay time can also be set.
•    Program Start
Once the delay time value is reached, it will trigger the program to start. This program can be use as a tool to successively back up the machine or system data.
•    Shut Down PC
This menu item specifies the time required by the industrial PC to shut down.
•    PC restart delay
Should the main become available again during the period when the PC is shutting down, the output voltage will be interrupted for the reset. The industrial PC then restarts automatically.

Variety of interfaces for integration into ethernet networks

Apart from the IFS-USB data cable described above, two other cables are available for integrating the UPS module into a larger system; data cables with an RS232 and a Mini-DIN interface. Network integration means that users can stay constantly informed about the status of the UPS solution. The data provided by the QUINT UPS-IQ unit can be forwarded to higher-level controllers via Ethernet, or directly integrated into one of Phoenix Contact’s proprietary control solutions. The QUINT UPS-IQ function module for the PC Worx engineering software can be downloaded for free at: www.phoenixcontact.net/catalog.

The data cable with the RS232 interface permits the UPS solution to be integrated into an Ethernet network via a Phoenix Contact COM server. Again, higher-level controllers such as the Inline Controller (ILC) or Remote Field Controller (RFC) can be communicated with directly. If any other transfer protocols need to be used, an Inline Controller can be used as a gateway to facilitate this. For direct communication with an ILC, the data cable with the Mini-DIN interface is most suitable (Figure 5).

Summary

Uninterruptible power supplies with IQ Technology maximise the availability of industrial systems. Users can stay constantly informed about the status of the power supply by accessing the UPS unit’s different status signals via higher-level control systems.