Over the years, Metromatics has been delivering reliable MIL-STD UPS Systems for the Australian Defence Forces and their Primes for several Military contracts.
We have successfully supplied Online Double Conversion UPS and High Voltage Switching Systems for the Towed Array AWD Project. As well as Rugged UPS Systems to support the Collins Class Submarine Upgrade project. Plus, numerous shipborne UPS system projects. Many which have been integrated with our MIL-STD 19” Light Weight Racks and other MIL Qualified embedded computing products.
Metromatics proudly provide our customers with excellent customer service, expertise, and local support for the UPS Systems we deliver.
Let’s talk about UPS Systems and more particularly the Rugged Versions and why they are an essential part of today’s infrastructure.
What’s the purpose of a UPS System?
The primary purpose of a UPS System also known as an Uninterruptible Power Supply System is to provide a short-term power supply via batteries protecting electronic equipment when the main power source fails. Generally, a commercial UPS system may only last a few minutes. However, it generally provides enough time to start another power source or shut down electronics systems properly without data loss.
However, did you know that UPS Systems are also used for correcting common electrical problems? Such as voltage spikes, momentary reductions in input voltage, voltage sags, noise, unstable mains power and harmonic distortion.
One problem with UPS Systems is the power quality produced may not be ideal. Therefore, you need to choose the right UPS System that will meet your purpose and handle your load capacity. For critical applications a Ruggedised UPS System maybe more suitable.
How the UPS System Operates
There are three main types of UPS Systems
- Online Double Conversion UPS
- Line Interactive UPS
- Offline or Standby UPS
The Online Double Conversion UPS is the most common in harsh Industrial and Defence applications. This is because it provides clean power to critical loads with immediate battery assistance.
It consists of several elements.
- Rectifier
- Battery Charger
- Rechargeable Batteries
- DC DC Converter
- Inverter
- Bypass Switch
Firstly, it filters and converts incoming AC Power to DC power. Then it converts the DC power to a clean AC output from the inverter.
Secondly, the inverter is supported by a DC DC Converter that includes batteries and possibly a battery charger. This provides a true online double conversion. Meaning it immediately protects the critical load from any abnormal voltage including surges, sags, brown power, and line drops.
Therefore, it smooths out any power fluctuations and in event of a power failure it automatically switches into back up operation with the slightest of delays.
The diagram below highlights the process.
The Difference in Rugged UPS Systems
Rugged UPS Systems are generally used in harsh environments. Where protection of electronic equipment from power failure is critical. There are varying levels of ruggedisation and reliability in UPS systems that are required for applications. Such as in hospitals, automated machinery factories, data centres, electrical substations to on-board aircraft and Defence Force Vehicles and Vessels.
For example in hospitals and data centres, the environment is reasonably stable. Whilst protection from power loss is still critical to operate lifesaving machinery. The UPS System may not need to be housed in a MIL SPEC enclosure and may not require a huge battery capacity as compared to those on a Naval Submarine. In these scenarios, power generators are immediately available to take over if mains power fails. So reliable, cost-effective Industrial UPS Systems are generally installed.
In a Defence environment, especially out in the field the conditions regularly vary. Vehicles and Vessels have a heavy reliance on specialised electronics systems which provide intelligence, communications and advanced war fare. Failure of these products is not an option.
Therefore, the UPS Systems selected must be able to reliably operate in all possible conditions. Certain Military Standards are often applied to these products. Along with certain features depending on the application. For example in a Military Aircraft, space availability and payload of equipment is the focus. So, preference for the UPS System may include a low profile, low weight with hot swappable internal battery pack with ability to draw power from 28 VDC input whilst meeting certain Military Standards. At the same time, it must almost immediately swap over to battery power with minimal delay, handle the load capacity, and can operate for the recommended period.
Rugged UPS Systems in a Defence Environment generally feature
- Compliance to Military standards or Designed, Built and Tested to a range of Military Standards
- Accept a wide range input voltage and frequency values whilst delivering a balanced clean AC load
- Hot swappable battery packs or DC Power Options
- Sealed, shock proof or weather resistant Enclosures
- Output Power figure is significant eg. 2500 W (3000 VA)
- Run time of the UPS System providing full power is more than 10 minutes
- Wide operating temperature range -20 to +55°C
Power Conversion and Distribution Systems
Metromatics partner with two companies that deliver exceptional Power Conversion and Distribution Systems designed for Defence and Harsh Industrial applications. They are US based Acumentrics and UK based Gresham Power Electronics.
Acumentrics Rugged UPS Systems
Acumentrics specialise in manufacturing and providing Rugged UPS Systems, Power Conversion, Power Conditioning, Portable Power Solutions, Power Distribution Units, Power Transit Cases and Battery Backups to the US Defence Forces and for Industrial Applications facing harsh conditions. Below is their current range of UPS Systems.
 | HALF RACK UPSThe Half Rack 1U Chassis is 1/3 the size of a normal chassis. Providing huge savings in rack space and total weight whilst providing 1000W of power using Hot swappable LFP Batteries. Power (VA) 1250 / Power (Watts) 1000 Weighs 5.44 Kg Perfect: Industrial and Harsh, Airborne and Vehicle Applications. Certified to a range of Military Standards.
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 | RUGGED BLADE UPS 1000WMODEL ANG1251 Double Online Conversion that supports Parallel Operations allowing 8 units to be daisy chained together delivering up to 10,000 VA or 8000W. N+1 configuration for emergency applications. Power (VA) 1250 / Power (Watts) 1000 Weighs 12 Kg with LFP Battery Perfect: Industrial and Harsh, Airborne, Vessel and Vehicle Applications. Certified to a range of Military Standards.
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 | RUGGED UPS 1250WMODEL ANB1501 1U Double Online Conversion that supports Parallel Operations allowing 2 units to be daisy chained together delivering up to 3,000 VA or 2500W. N+1 configuration for emergency applications. Zero switch over time Power (VA) 1500 / Power (Watts) 1250 Weighs 12 Kg with LFP Battery Perfect: Industrial and Harsh, Airborne, Vessel and Vehicle Applications. Certified to a range of Military Standards.
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 | 3U RUGGED UPS 2000WMODEL ACB2503 3U Double Online Conversion with Dual Input with Automatic Power selection. In event of AC power failure, the external DC input takes precedence of the internal battery. Zero switch over time Power (VA) 2500 / Power (Watts) 2000 Weighs 40 Kg with LFP Battery Perfect: Industrial and Harsh, Vessel and Vehicle Applications. Certified to a range of Military Standards.
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 | RUGGED UPS 1000WMODEL ACG1252 2U Double Online Conversion with Dual Input with Automatic Power selection, Various AC and DC Power Output combinations up to maximum power rating of the unit. Indicated on the LED bar graph and protected from overloading. Zero switch over time Power (VA) 1250 / Power (Watts) 1000 Weighs 29 Kg with Lead Acid Battery / 24 kg with LFP. Perfect: Industrial and Harsh, Vessel and Vehicle Applications. Certified to a range of Military Standards |
 | RUGGED UPS 1000WMODEL ACG1253 3U Double Online Conversion with Dual Input with Automatic Power selection, Various AC and DC Power Output combinations up to maximum power rating of the unit. Indicated on the LED bar graph and protected from overloading. Zero switch over time. Double pole circuit breaker approved for shipborne projects. Power (VA) 1250 / Power (Watts) 1000 Weighs 24 kg with Battery Pack Perfect: Industrial and Harsh, Vessel and Vehicle Applications. Certified to a range of Military Standards |
 | RUGGED UPS 1300WMODEL ACG1625 2U Double Online Conversion with Dual Input with Automatic Power selection, Various AC and DC Power Output combinations up to maximum power rating of the unit. Indicated on the LED bar graph and protected from overloading. Zero switch over time Power (VA) 1625 / Power (Watts) 1300 Weighs 29 Kg with Lead Acid Battery / 24 kg with LFP. Perfect: Industrial and Harsh, Vessel and Vehicle Applications. Certified to a range of Military Standards |
 | 4U RUGGED UPS 2000WMODEL ACG2500 4U Double Online Conversion with Dual Input with Automatic Power selection, Various AC and DC Power Output combinations up to maximum power rating of the unit. Indicated on the LED bar graph and protected from overloading. Zero switch over time Power (VA) 2500 / Power (Watts) 2000 Weighs 61 Kg with Lead Acid Battery / 47 kg with LFP. Perfect: Industrial and Harsh, Vessel and Vehicle Applications. Certified to a range of Military Standards.
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 | 4U RUGGED UPS 2400WMODEL ACG3000 4U Double Online Conversion with Dual Input with Automatic Power selection, Various AC and DC Power Output combinations up to maximum power rating of the unit. Indicated on the LED bar graph and protected from overloading. Zero switch over time Power (VA) 3000 / Power (Watts) 2400 Weighs 61 Kg with Lead Acid Battery / 47 kg with LFP. Perfect: Industrial and Harsh, Vessel and Vehicle Applications. Certified to a range of Military Standards.
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 | PORTABLE UPS SYSTEM FOR FIRST RESPONDERS AND SOLDIER BACKPACKS Model PackPower
Lightweight, Autonomous and Flexible UPS System that weighs 900 grams and offers 9 hours of run time with average 10W load Power Loads up to 100W Weighs 900 grams Perfect: Emergency Personnel and First Responders and Soldiers. |
Gresham Power Electronics UPS Systems
Gresham Power Electronics UPS Systems have been deployed on Shipborne projects worldwide. Their systems provide support of electrical power in emergencies with the ability convert original AC supply to either a higher frequency or to DC. Gresham’s UPS systems are ruggedised to meet high levels of shock and vibration, Plus engineered to be fully compatible with ship and submarine electrical systems and built from the ground up. Most equipment has been successfully tested to MIL-STD and DEF-STAN tests for shock, vibration, and EMC.
 | 440V 60Hz 3-PHASE OUTPUT UPS SYSTEMMODEL 3RPQ Consists of transformer isolated rectifier, battery, inverter, and static switch. Batteries can be combined with UPS or as standalone cabinets. Designed to meet series of MIL-STDs. Battery Time: 10 Mins, 30 Mins or 1 Hour Perfect: Naval Shipborne Applications.
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 | 115/230V 60Hz @ 1000VA UPS SYSTEMMODEL 1D1000B30C
Provides a high quality output of 115V 60 Hz 1f @ 1000VA from an input of 115v 50/60hz. 230V is an option. The integral valve regulated lead acid battery will support the output for 30 minutes in the event of an input supply failure. Battery Time: 30 Minutes Ideal for: Naval Shipborne Applications |
 | 440V 60Hz 3-PHASE OUTPUT UPS SYSTEMMODEL 1RPQ10KB60A Consists of transformer isolated rectifier, battery, and Inverter. 230V is an option. Designed to meet series of MIL-STDs. Contains In-circuit breaker, local controls and indications and remote indications. Battery Time: 1 Hour Perfect: Naval Shipborne Applications |
 | 440V 60Hz 3-PHASE OUTPUT UPS SYSTEMMODEL 3RPQ15KB Consists of transformer isolated rectifier, static switch, and Inverter. Model suitable for 230V. Designed to meet series of MIL-STDs. Contains In-circuit breaker, local controls and indications and remote indications. Battery Time: Separate Battery Cabinet Required Perfect: Naval Shipborne Applications |
 | UPS SUPPLIES BATTERY SUPPORTED 115V 60HZ 3-PHASE OUTPUT TO SHIP LOADSMODEL 3RPQ15KB30A Consists of transformer isolated rectifier, battery, and Inverter. Option for 230V. Designed to meet series of MIL-STDs. Contains In-circuit breaker, local controls and indications and remote indications. Battery Time: 30 Minutes Perfect: Naval Shipborne Applications |
 | UPS SUPPLIES BATTERY SUPPORTED 230V 60HZ 3-PHASE OUTPUT TO SHIP LOADSMODEL 3RPQ15KB30B Consists of transformer isolated rectifier, battery, and Inverter. Designed to meet series of MIL-STDs. Contains In-circuit breaker, local controls and indications and remote indications. Battery Time: 30 Minutes Perfect: Naval Shipborne Applications |
 | 30kVA Uninterruptible Power SupplyMODEL 3RPQ30KA Consists of transformer isolated rectifier, static switch, and Inverter. External Battery Cabinet required. Designed to meet series of MIL-STDs. Contains In-circuit breaker, local controls and indications and remote indications. Battery Time: suitable for valve regulated sealed lead acid type Perfect: Naval Shipborne Applications |
 | 60kVA Uninterruptible Power SupplyMODEL 3RPQ60KA This UPS provides 230V, 60Hz 3-Phase Output to Ships Loads. Consists of transformer isolated rectifier, battery, static switch, and Inverter. Designed to meet series of MIL-STDs. Contains In-circuit breaker, local controls and indications and remote indications. Battery Time: 60 Minutes Perfect: Naval Shipborne Applications |