One word: ESKOM. Two more words: LOAD SHEDDING.
Thanks to ESKOM’s failing infrastructure, South Africans are subjected to rolling backouts, day after day, up to twelve hours a day, depending on what stage we’re on. Stage 2 used to be the norm. Now, Stages 5 and 6 are becoming an everyday thing.
How can businesses operate when they are without power for hours at a time during operating hours?
Let’s investigate the solutions.
Load shedding results in R500 million an hour economic loss
According to an article published in IOL.co.za on 20 September 2022, the Cape Times reported that, according to economists, about R500 million an hour is being lost to the country’s economy because of Stage 6 load shedding during business hours.
With no immediate solution, the only feasible option is for businesses to invest in standby power to keep trading, regardless of load shedding.
How a UPS works as an uninterrupted power solution?
A UPS is the best option for standby power because it provides uninterrupted power to your equipment and, using sensory technology designed to detect fluctuations, will protect sensitive loads against the power dips and spikes caused when the mains power is unreliable. This feature is particularly useful for medical equipment, data centres, computer rooms, telecoms, and so forth.
Over and above protecting your sensitive loads, a UPS is also a standby battery backup system, providing you with uninterrupted power so that you can finish urgent tasks, save and shut down equipment safely, or switch to an alternative form of standby power, like a generator.
How a UPS will benefit every South African business
If you can keep trading while others have to close their doors, you’re one up on your competitors. The UPS will ensure a smooth switch-over or transfer time to minimise equipment damage, saving you money on new equipment in the long run.
What South African businesses can benefit from a UPS?
- Hospitals and medical services
- Factory production lines
- Retailers
- Data centres
- Service providers
- Manufacturers of electronic equipment
- Banks and financial service providers
- Telecommunication and cable companies
- Schools, universities, and other learning centres
- Businesses with office premises
- Businesses with sensitive electronic equipment
The list could go on. In short, if you have a business and you want to protect your equipment and benefit from uninterrupted power, you need a UPS.
Which UPS is best for my business?
The best UPS for your situation will depend on the size of your business, the load you will be connecting to the UPS, and the standby time you hope to achieve. Rather than buy something that’s too small, and you have to add on, or spend more than you need on something that’s too big, speak to a specialist to advise you on your particular needs. Especially when it comes to sizing the right battery.
Here are just a few examples of the systems you could choose from.
Two of the best UPS systems for medical uses
AROS Riello Sentinel Dual / SDU UPS
The AROS Riello Sentinel Dual or SDU UPS rack or tower mount high-power online, double-conversion UPS System with internal or extended battery backup options. Sentinel Dual is suitable for powering all critical applications requiring extreme power reliability.
AROS Riello Master HE UPS
The AROS Riello Master HE UPS offers the most up-to-date technology and saves loads of money in electricity costs over the lifespan of the transformer-based UPS system. It offers the best transformerless in conjunction with proven and reliable transformer-based technology.
Two of the best UPS systems for data centre uses
AROS Riello Multi Sentrym
AROS Riello Multi Sentrym’s new tower mount, online double-conversion UPS system with internal or extended VRLA backup battery configurations.
AROS Riello MHP UPS
The AROS Riello MHP range of UPS systems uses proven online double-conversion technology.
Two of the best UPS systems for telecom uses
AROS Riello Sentinel Pro UPS
AROS Riello Sentinel Pro’s single-phase input, single-phase output, online double-conversion UPS system is a high-efficiency, high-power output UPS offering a green UPS solution.
AROS Riello Multi Sentry UPS
The AROS RIELLO Multi Sentry series can be used for various applications, including data centres, IT, and telecoms.
Two of the best UPS systems for commercial uses
AROS Riello iDialog UPS
The AROS Riello iDialog UPS is an entry-level backup UPS for interface to small office applications, including computers, Wi-Fi routers, and other small electronic loads.
AROS Riello NextEnergy UPS
AROS Riello NextEnergy UPS is an online double-conversion, high-efficiency transformerless UPS system with three-phase input and output and available in 250 kVA 250 kW, 300 kVA 300 kW, 400 kVA 400 kW, 500 kVA 500 kW, and 600 kVA 600 kW UPS inverter ratings.
To see more of the many options we have available, visit our product page.
To summarise, let’s look at how a UPS can benefit your business
- No productivity or trading interruptions, so it “makes money”.
- Protects sensitive equipment or data loss, so it “saves money”.
- The benefits of investing in a UPS outweigh the initial cost.
Where is the best place to buy a UPS for my business in South Africa?
A reputable UPS provider that can advise according to your specific needs is the best place to buy a UPS. The first step is to calculate the size of the load that will be connected to the standby power system. If you buy something that’s too small, it will fail you. If it is too large, you’re wasting money. The great news is that many UPS systems can be expanded on, so as your business grows, your backup power system can grow exponentially.
Standby Systems has a team of experts available to advise you on the backup power system that’s just right for you. For more information on what UPS best suits your business needs, visit the Standby Systems’ website, or contact us on 011 794 2541 or 011 794 3406 or WhatsApp 082 450 2361.