DATA CENTRE STRATEGY
“ Data centre operators need to ensure their infrastructure can continue to meet capacity demands while delivering operational safety, resilience, energy efficiency, and long-term service continuity”
Michel Bommer, UPS Technology Director – R & D, Legrand
within milliseconds, pushing UPS systems past their thermal design power( TDP) or absolute power thresholds.
Traditional UPS systems, designed for steady enterprise loads, often struggle to adapt to such fluctuations.
“ To mitigate the impact of increased thermal and electrical stress, modern UPS architectures are now adopting silicon carbide( SiC) semiconductors, which offer yields exceeding 98 %, significantly reducing energy losses and operating temperatures,” says Michel.
“ SiC devices can operate at higher temperatures – up to 175 ° C – compared to 125 ° C for conventional IGBTbased designs. This capability extends component lifespan and enhances long-term reliability.”
When assessing UPS options, operators should lead with efficiency by validating it in real-world conditions( load range, operating mode and temperature) and assess whether the design sustains that performance across changing AI-driven loads.
They should understand, as Michel emphasises,“ how a UPS manages repeated power peaks and maintains consistent performance and service continuity over time, particularly under sustained operational and thermal stress”.
Cybersecurity built into the architecture As UPS systems become increasingly network-connected, protecting their control and communication layers has made cybersecurity a core design principle.
“ Unauthorised access to or control of a UPS system can result in power disruptions, equipment damage, and loss of availability,” Michel warns.
In the UK, the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology estimates the annual cost of significant cyberattacks at £ 14.7bn( US $ 19.8bn) – equivalent to 0.5 % of the UK’ s GDP.
“ Best-in-class UPS systems should include built-in features that support strong security practices, ensuring that essential operations remain unaffected even if network access is compromised,” says Michel.
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