Vertiv™ Liebert® APM2 UPS: Scalable, compact, and redundant modular power solutions for diverse applications

Modern industries increasingly rely on flexible infrastructure to meet the growing demands for data processing , particularly in high-density data centers. This reliance drives higher electricity consumption, particularly as advancements like Artificial Intelligence (AI) push power needs even further. From running critical equipment to supporting data center infrastructure cooling systems that manage heat buildup, the importance of a reliable Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) system cannot be overstated.

The Vertiv™ Liebert® APM2 UPS is an innovative online, three-phase power solution that sets a new industry standard with its impressive power density and modular architecture. Designed to incorporate modular internal lithium-ion batteries, this UPS system is suitable for various applications. Whether you are managing an enterprise IT setup, a telecommunications hub, a healthcare facility, or an edge environment, the Liebert® APM2 UPS offers reliable, scalable data center power to support your operations.

Beyond just power protection, it adapts to your current power requirements while providing flexibility to scale as those needs grow. The Liebert APM2 delivers capacity ratings between 10-150kVA 208V and 20-600kVA 480/415V and can parallel for a total system capacity of up to 2.4MW. This UPS system is highly adaptable to a wide range of system power voltages, including 208V, 480V, and 415V, simplifying product selection to meet diverse application needs.

Explore how the Liebert APM2 UPS's modular and scalable architecture facilitates seamless system capacity expansion, redundancy, easy serviceability, and fault isolation. These features allow continuous critical power operation, making it a powerful solution for modern, high power density environments.

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What is high-density backup power? Data center operators are evaluating liquid cooling technologies to increase energy efficiency as processing-intensive computing applications grow.

Benefits of a modular UPS

In evolving environments where power requirements are critical and rapidly changing, modularity provides the flexibility that traditional UPS systems often lack. A modular UPS makes it easier to add or remove power modules based on current and future needs, which is crucial for addressing c ommon challenges e ncountered in today's IT infrastructures .

Key benefits of the Vertiv™ Liebert APM2 UPS include:

• Flexible and adaptive capacity : Having the a bility to scale power up or down by adding or removing modules allows users to start with a specific power rating and grow seamlessly into higher ratings as demands change without requiring substantial mechanical adjustments. With Independent Digital Signal Processor (DSP) control , the system continuously fine-tunes performance parameters to maintain system availability and efficiency.

Figure 1. The modular UPS design of the Vertiv™ Liebert® APM2 for easy addition or removal of power modules.

• Space optimization: In urban environments where floor space is limited, the Liebert APM2 addresses the increasing demand for compact power solutions. Its modular architecture delivers high power density and supports multiple voltage configurations, including 208V, 480V, 415V, and 4-wire systems. This design optimizes space utilization while providing reliable power capacity, making it an ideal solution for diverse and demanding IT infrastructures, including HVAC UPS applications where cooling equipment requires stable and continuous power.
• Operational efficiency: Achieving up to with dynamic online mode, the Liebert APM2 significantly reduces operating costs and energy dissipation. This high efficiency UPS lowers power and cooling costs, ultimately decreasing the total cost of ownership (TCO).
• Enhanced protection and uptime: The Liebert APM2's redundant power system provides continuous protection and minimizes downtime. With hot-swappable components and a mean time to repair (MTTR) of under 0.5 hours, the system significantly boosts availability. Additionally, its high mean time between failures (MTBF) improves reliability for critical operations, including supporting thermal pump UPS systems where uninterrupted power is crucial for cooling technologies.

Transforming technology: Internal modular lithium-ion batteries

Here are some reasons why modular UPS systems are a strategic choice for data center infrastructure:

High density footprint and performance

The APM2 redefines standards with its high-density footprint and advanced technical performance. Designed with the latest technology components, it features ultra high-density power modules of 30kW (2U) and 60kW (3U) as building blocks. Its compact design allows it to deliver substantial power capacity even in constrained spaces, making it an ideal solution for diverse IT infrastructures. Additionally, its efficient use of floor space frees up valuable room for other revenue-generating equipment.

Figure 2. The Vertiv™ Liebert® APM2 saves floor space depending on the different configurations compared to conventional UPS systems.

For data centers, financial institutions, healthcare facilities, retail, and other mission-critical environments, modular UPS systems represent a significant advancement in power management. The Liebert APM2 elevates modularity with a plug-and-play design for core components, including the power modules, bypass communications, and internal battery modules (both VRLA and lithium-ion).

This innovation facilitates seamless integration, enhancing the system's overall flexibility and convenience.

The Liebert APM2's supports hot-swappable components, including modular batteries, allowing for quick upgrades or replacements without system downtime, which is crucial for maintaining operational continuity. Unlike traditional lithium-ion UPS solutions housed in separate cabinets, the Liebert APM2 features internal modular lithium batteries with equivalent and significant runtimes, offering a compact and integrated solution that saves space while delivering exceptional value and performance.

The modular architecture of the Liebert APM2 supports flexible scaling for capacity or redundancy up to 1 power module, allowing organizations to start with a base capacity and expand up to 600 kW per unit or 2.4 MW in a parallel configuration as their power needs increase.

Intelligent paralleling for reliability and efficiency

Intelligent paralleling is a key feature that distinguishes modern modular UPS systems, enhancing both reliability and efficiency. The Liebert APM2 utilizes this technology, making it suitable for edge computing power applications where adaptability is critical. Intelligent paralleling allows multiple UPS modules to work together seamlessly, creating a fault-tolerant power system. This technology efficiently balances the load across all operational modules, adapting to changing power demands and reducing energy waste.

In the event of a module failure, the system automatically redistributes the load among the remaining modules, maintaining continuous power to critical applications and minimizing downtime. This capability is crucial for environments such as data centers and financial institutions where uninterrupted power is essential.

Similarly, the Liebert APM2 UPS power modules are designed to enter a sleep mode to optimize efficiency and extend the lifespan of the system. This means the load that was being handled by the modules now in sleep mode is redistributed among the remaining active modules, which then operate at higher load, ideally at their highest efficiency. This redistribution allows the UPS system to provide reliable power while optimizing energy use.

The UPS supports both vertical and horizontal scaling, enabling capacity expansion by adding additional modules or connecting multiple UPS systems. Its integrated Load Bus Synchronization system (LBS) features user-friendly communication ports allowing operators to initiate inverter ON/OFF for all parallel connected UPS systems with a single touch. This streamlined control simplifies management and enhances the overall functionality of the power system.

Figure 3. Intelligent paralleling makes it possible for multiple UPS modules to work together seamlessly and adapt to varying power demands.

Backing up the future of liquid cooling

The evolutionand high-performance computing has transformed data center cooling requirements. With r reaching unprecedented levels, traditional air cooling can no longer meet these thermal demands. Liquid cooling systems, particularly Coolant Distribution Units (CDUs) such as the Vertiv™ Liebert® XDU, have become essential for managing these internal thermal loads.

Liquid cooling systems are designed to operate continuously, preventing downtime that could lead to chip damage. This constant operation is crucial because any interruption in cooling can quickly result in overheating and potential damage to the chips. Hence, a reliable UPS system is essential to. The Liebert APM2 helps maintain the operation of cooling systems in the event of a power outage, safeguarding the integrity and performance of critical infrastructure.

The Liebert APM2's integration capabilities extend beyond just backup power. Its modular architecture works seamlessly with the Vertiv™ EnergyCore Lithium Ion battery system, delivering a complete power and energy storage solution that adapts to your cooling infrastructure's evolving needs. This integrated approach supports the protection of your mission-critical cooling systems, providing the same level of power protection as your IT loads and maintaining optimal thermal conditions even during grid instability.

Figure 4. Vertiv™ Liebert® as an effective backup for the Vertiv™ Liebert® XDU cooling distribution unit

Meeting today's data center challenges head-on

In today's demanding data center environment, IT leaders face mounting pressures from unstable power grids, space constraints, evolving capacity needs, rising energy costs, and intense cooling demands of AI workloads. The Liebert APM2 UPS directly addresses these critical challenges by providing a high-power density, efficient, and scalable power solution. Its advanced modular design includes internal modular lithium-ion batteries, hot-swappable components, and seamless integration capabilities to support continuous operation and optimal performance. With the new innovative design of the Liebert APM2, small, medium, or large data centers can maintain reliability and efficiency, even in the face of growing demands and evolving technological landscapes.

For more information, view the Vertiv™ Liebert® APM2 | UPS Power Supply.

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