Reliable mains power is obviously important in a co-location facility.  A UPS system is utilised to provide continuity of power through brown-outs and power cuts.  The generator systems provide sustainable backup power in the event of a failure from the electricity company, whereas the UPS system is in place to provide uninterrupted supply during the swap-over period from mains to generator.

Additionally, the UPS system provides clean power into the computing facility.  The mains from the generator or electricity company is fed into the UPS to keep the batteries topped up.  All equipment in the computer facility is permanently running from the UPS power, draining the batteries.  This mechanism shields all the sensitive computer equipment from the variances and spikes which may exist on the supply from the electricity company, ensuring the feed to equipment is clean and constant.

The UPS system is specified to run the entire facility on full load (plus a 50% margin) for 10 minutes.  The generator system is automatically brought online within 30 seconds of a power outage, providing a sustainable electrical feed.  In addition, the UPS has a failsafe mechanism which will switch to a bypass system in the event of a failure.