Trends in A.C. Power Conditioning for Telecommunications

This paper describes the current characteristics of power quality and electrical and physical environment important for uninterruptible power conditioning equipment serving emerging telecommunications installations. It relates several new solutions using solid state conversion techniques to serve these needs. Characteristics such as electrical performance, power distribution, power consumption (real and reactive), input current distortion, load compatibility and interaction are explored. Physical characteristics such as size, weight, audible noise, heat dissipation, installability, serviceability and integration are discussed as well as ability to monitor operation locally and remotely. Solutions described include, 1) integrated uninterruptible a.c. power systems including battery, conversion and switching equipment as well as power distribution in a single package suitable for installation on computer room floor as typical of many new telecommunication sites; 2) combinations of sub-cyclic static automatic transfer switch and fast response continuous phase modulated SCR voltage regulators operating from a dual fed utility source to provide continuous conditioned power to serve a.c. operated telecommunications equipment; 3) the use of a load/line interface device with power conditioning capability for telecommunication's equipment reflecting high power factor and low distortion to the utility source, especially useful for single phase or limited capacity sources. Characteristics of these solutions are given and evaluated for use in modern telecommunication service.