Reliability and resilience are paramount in South Africa’s financial sector, especially given the challenges posed by load shedding and the uncertain electrical infrastructure of ESKOM. To maintain uninterrupted operations and safeguard critical financial processes, banks and financial institutions are increasingly turning to advanced Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) systems. Let’s discuss the function of UPS systems and why they are essential for the financial industry in South Africa.
UPS for Financial Institutions
At Standby Systems, we recognize the distinct requirements of South Africa’s financial landscape. Our partner Riello UPS, who are renowned for their Italian-designed and manufactured UPS and STS systems, have been instrumental in ensuring power continuity in the South African banking sector, since 2003, when we became the sole distributor for AROS RIELLO. This collaboration has put us in a position to be a trusted partner across various industries, including financial institutions such as ABSA, INVESTEC, FNB, and BIDVEST.
Trustworthiness and Strength
In the financial sector, where uninterrupted power is vital, Riello UPS systems stand out for their resilience to a high demand load, versatility, and technological superiority. This ensures reliable operation in diverse conditions, which is crucial for maintaining 24/7 operations. Riello’s transformer-based UPS ranges address challenges posed by dynamic loads, making them ideal for financial institutions.
Capacity and Power
UPS systems are designed to manage devices demanding substantial power, such as servers, data centres, and vital banking equipment. Riello’s MPT, MHT, and MHE UPS systems, with their transformer-based design, excel in handling these demanding loads, ensuring a stable and continuous power supply.
Flexibility and Customization
Riello UPS systems offer high flexibility, adapting to various power sources and accommodating the specific needs of financial institutions. They can be customized to meet the specific system requirements, ensuring scalability and redundancy options over the UPS lifespan.
Choosing the Right UPS for Financial Institutions
When selecting a UPS for financial applications, consider the following factors:
Load requirements.
Ensure the UPS capacity will meet or even exceed the total power load requirements taking into account the peak current draw and future expansion plans.
Runtime needs.
Assess the required runtime during a power outage and choose a UPS system with a sufficient battery backup runtime.
Quality of the power.
Select a UPS system that meets the power quality needs of sensitive banking equipment.
Environmental considerations.
Choose a UPS system that can operate consistently in the specific environmental conditions of the financial institution.
Total Cost of ownership.
Consider both upfront and long-term operational costs, including energy efficiency, battery replacement, and future maintenance.
Calculating UPS Backup Time for Financial Institutions
To calculate the backup time of a UPS system for a financial institution, you need to be aware of these factors:
Battery capacity.
Ensure that the UPS system’s battery capacity will be sufficient, considering inverter loading percentage and load power factor.
Efficiency.
Consider the efficiency of the UPS system in converting power from the battery to the load required by the equipment.
Derating factor.
Account for derating factors or safety margins. If you’re unsure, we’ll assist you with this.
Choosing the Right Batteries
A UPS system is only as reliable as its connected battery backup. When the power fails, it’s the batteries that must carry the load until the connected load can be safely shut down or until an alternative power source, like a generator, has time to kick in. For more information on the right batteries for your UPS, read our blog Everything you need to know about UPS batteries in South Africa.
In Conclusion
In South Africa’s financial sector, where challenges like load shedding persist, UPS systems, such as Riello UPS and Pureline UPS from Standby Systems, provide the necessary protection to ensure seamless financial operations in the face of power outages.
Standby Systems offers a comprehensive range of products and services tailored for financial institutions. Our experienced technical team is ready to advise on the best UPS system and battery solutions for your industry’s specific needs. Visit Standby Systems’ website or contact us at 011 794 2541 or 011 794 3406 or WhatsApp 082 450 2361.