Line Interactive, Double Conversion or Smart Conversion: choose the mode best suited to your needs
As a Data Center or critical applications facility manager, you face many challenges, particularly when it comes to UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply) performance and energy efficiency management. You are responsible not only for the durability of your equipment, but also for the uninterrupted supply of critical loads.
The classic operating mode for UPS is bypass. However, depending on the expected yield, there are two other modes: Double Conversion mode and Line Interactive mode. Although UPS can also be switched to eco mode, until now switching from one mode to the other was possible only after a brief loss of power . Meaning you need to choose the best settings to maximise UPS performance and optimise the sites Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE).
Socomec can now help you meet this challenge with its latest innovation: Smart Conversion mode. This function revolutionises the way UPS are used. It combines high efficiency and unrivalled protection, going well beyond the limits of the traditional ‘eco’ mode on the market.
Smart Conversion mode is an innovation that improves UPS efficiency not only by drastically reducing energy losses, but also by guaranteeing a protected power supply. Unlike standard “eco” modes, which are often subject to voltage drops, Smart Conversion mode ensures instant transition in the event of grid disturbances, without compromising load protection. This not only reduces power consumption, but also CO2 emissions, while optimising the energy performance of infrastructures. Depending on the quality of their network, the UPS intelligently manages and chooses the best operating mode to optimise its performance. Thanks to this innovation in power management for critical infrastructures Socomec's Smart Conversion mode helps customers meet their energy balance objectives without compromising on power quality and sustainability.
How does the Smart Conversion mode work?
Smart Conversion mode uses an advanced algorithm that continuously monitors the network in real time. It dynamically selects the most optimised mode to supply the load and ensure the best UPS efficiency, while prioritising power quality for critical loads.
Therefore, unlike the standard “eco” mode, which can cause voltage drops due to an inactive UPS and open output contactors, Smart Conversion mode ensures uninterrupted load transfer. It is designed to offer continuous protection by using the static bypass as the main power source, while keeping the active UPS and synchronised with the grid. In the event of grid disturbances, the UPS can instantly switch to Double Conversion mode with a transfer time of 0 milliseconds. Certified by third-party laboratories, this transfer complies with IEC 62040-3 Class 1: the highest protection category defining the highest standards of protection for critical power systems.
What's more, the UPS functions as an active filter thanks to its fully bidirectional architecture. It can simultaneously charge batteries and compensate for harmonics or reactive load power. Smart Conversion mode ensures clean power consumption at the UPS input.
Comparaison : Double Conversion VERSUS Smart Conversion
By using the static bypass line as the main power source, Smart Conversion mode achieves the highest levels of efficiency available on the market. Unlike traditional Double Conversion, whose efficiency can drop when load levels are high, static bypass gains in efficiency when the load rate is high, considerably increasing output. When the load rate is high in Smart Conversion mode, the data center's PUE measurement is considerably improved.
With an efficiency of almost 99% from a load level of 50%, the Smart Conversion mode delivers considerable energy savings, up to 350 MWh per year, reducing heat generation, cooling costs and CO2 emissions. This translates into a direct reduction in operating expenses (OPEX) and improved plant sustainability.
Caption: Comparaison of the amount of energy saved between Double Conversion and Smart Conversion mode, taking into account the UPS charging rate.
Ongoing monitoring: protect the power supply and avoid repeated switching
Smart Conversion mode includes a dedicated monitoring system designed by Socomec experts that checks the various characteristics of the network (voltage, frequency and harmonic distortion), to ensure optimum conditions for supplying the load.
An internal algorithm continuously checks network quality to ensure that the characteristics remain within predefined limits. In the event of disturbances, the high-frequency sampling algorithm detects any network disturbance within 0 milliseconds, enabling instant switching to Double Conversion mode.
When the network is unstable, Socomec has developed an intelligent algorithm to avoid repeated transfers between Double Conversion mode and Smart Conversion mode. This algorithm defines a mandatory minimum network stability time before switching to the static bypass line, depending on the number of transitions already made. This feature ensures stability and prevents switching between the two modes from becoming too frequent . If the network remains unstable, the UPS will inform the customer and temporarily disable the functionality enabled by its sampling algorithm.
In other words, the load is always protected with a high-quality, uninterrupted power supply. Smart Conversion mode autonomously manages how to supply the critical load without interruption, depending on the quality of the network.
In addition, Socomec’s UPS is capable of protecting the bypass line from overvoltages using surge protectors if this type of equipment is not already present in the customers installation.
Smart Conversion mode benefits
Energy efficiency
By reducing classic UPS energy losses by up to 5 times compared to a standard Double Conversion mode, Smart Conversion mode enables users to significantly reduce their energy consumption and achieve 99% efficiency. This also means that less heat is generated, reducing cooling requirements and operating costs. These efficiency gains have a direct impact on the total cost of ownership (TCO), delivering substantial savings year after year.
MORE SUSTAINABILITY
Smart Conversion mode also offers significant environmental benefits. Reducing the UPS's energy consumption has a direct impact on reducing its CO2 emissions. This is an optimisation that should not be overlooked if you want to move towards more sustainable practices.
VERIFIED AND GUARANTEED POWER QUALITY
In the event of serious disturbances to the electrical network, Socomec's Smart Conversion ensures an instantaneous transition (0 milliseconds ) to Double Conversion mode, offering high-quality protection and continued power supply for critical loads. This is only possible thanks to Socomec's advanced real-time network monitoring system, dedicated hardware and fast sampling algorithm. This intelligent management enables the quality of the power supply to be constantly detected, guaranteeing immediate responsiveness. The UPS complies with the strict IEC 62040-3 Class 1 standard.
The UPS therefore act as filters and correct the voltage factors and harmonics of the critical load when they have activated the Smart Conversion function. They eliminate most of the harmonic distortion content (particularly that of ranks 3, 5 and 7). In other words, sensitive equipment benefits from a continuous power supply, at the UPS input, protected against overloads, undervoltages or overvoltages, while maximising energy efficiency when the network is of acceptable quality.
Applications and limitations
Data CentRES AND CRITICAL LOADS
Smart Conversion mode is ideal for modern infrastructures, Data Centers and other critical applications requiring high efficiency and reliable power quality. Not only does it provide continuous protection, it also ensures optimum performance, even in the event of network disturbances.
OPERATING WITH A POWER GENERATOR
Smart Conversion mode is not recommended for power generator operation, as this type of temporary situation requires Double Conversion operation. In this situation, switching the UPS to Double Conversion mode enables a smooth transition between battery operation and generator start-up, thanks to a linear ramp at the rectifier.
Socomec's Smart Conversion mode revolutionises UPS operation and management for Data Centers and mission-critical applications. By combining unrivalled energy efficiency, ongoing monitoring and instant protection, it enables companies and facility managers in charge to meet energy challenges while reducing their environmental impact.