UPS feed in IT room, underfloor.

[rhamblin]

I'm looking for any good ideas, and to ask a few questions about an upcoming project.

An outside contractor is installing a new UPS in our IT room, I need to run a feeder from a closet off the side of the room (from an I-line panel 480V 3 phase) to the UPS 100' away as the crow flies. Then a second feeder back from the UPS to the closet again to feed the UPS panel in the closet.

I'm told the feed will be a 150 amp breaker, so I am running 1/0 conductors. We'll run 1 1/'2" conduit.

My questions:

• Are there any better/faster/cheaper options than running EMT conduit under the raised floor in the room. M/C cable? FMC?
• The floor is full in some spots, is there a pre-made conduit/cable stand that would make installation easier/faster? In my mind, installing above all the cables and conduits already laying in the bottom of the floor.

 

[zbang]

Best option is moving the UPS so it's much closer, that's the first I'd push for. (Does the UPS even need to be in the IT room?)

You may need a 3rd feeder if there's a bypass switch in the UPS itself. If there is a bypass, be careful of bonding- the UPS is usually an SDS and the bypass feeder won't be.

Depending on what's already under the floor, I'd might try to stuff conduit under any existing flexible conduits/cables. It'll take longer, but you'll annoy fewer people when they have to move a cable and have to snake it around the new pipes.

Good luck.

 

[rhamblin]

Best option is moving the UPS so it's much closer, that's the first I'd push for. (Does the UPS even need to be in the IT room?)

What's your rationale for moving it closer, just to save on labor/materials? They want the UPS in the IT room because it will be "taken care of" by corporate...whatever all that means. :roll:

You may need a 3rd feeder if there's a bypass switch in the UPS itself. If there is a bypass, be careful of bonding- the UPS is usually an SDS and the bypass feeder won't be.

I would expect the UPS unit as a whole to have the bypass built in. But I'm confused why I would need a 3rd feeder. One feeder from the normal power to the UPS unit/bypass switch, and another coming from the UPS unit/bypass to the UPS sub-panel. If normal power drops out, the batteries will be connected and feed the UPS sub-panel.

Depending on what's already under the floor, I'd might try to stuff conduit under any existing flexible conduits/cables. It'll take longer, but you'll annoy fewer people when they have to move a cable and have to snake it around the new pipes.

If I run conduit, that's the way I'll be doing it.

 

[zbang]

What's your rationale for moving it closer, just to save on labor/materials?

Of course. Maybe the UPS can only fit in that one spot, but I'd be checking whether it can move (and save the client some $$). OTOH, as has been mentioned before, I'll build anything you want if you draw it on the back of a big enough check.

I would expect the UPS unit as a whole to have the bypass built in. But I'm confused why I would need a 3rd feeder. One feeder from the normal power to the UPS unit/bypass switch, and another coming from the UPS unit/bypass to the UPS sub-panel.

Some need a separate feeder to the bypass input, some don't, I think you need to see the manufacturer's instructions on this. Also, if it's a 3-phase in and 1-phase out UPS (they do exist), the bypass line has to be single phase.