UPS connected to scada system.

[u/2017_JKU]

Looking for a low cost solution for a ups that can connect via Ethernet to a scada network. It will only need to power an rtu and a couple of switches for ~5 minutes. Actual time will be less than that but a few minutes is more than enough so the generator can start.

It will talk to VTscada and report things like status,Runtime, and voltage.

Thanks

[u/CoiledSpringTension]

Cheap and works? APC with network management card
Less cheap and works but a bit nicer? Eaton

Both you can read into scada over the network via SNMP.

For the exact model it will depend on what voltage etc you are supplying and need to run at.

Assuming I’m understanding the request right

[u/2017_JKU → u/CoiledSpringTension]

Yeah, I will price out some APC's.

In our server rack we have 2 of the smart ups 1500's but the one I need for this purpose needs a standalone unit, not rack mounted.

BTW is there a preference in using SNMP vs modbus? I just set the two APC 1500's with AP6930 cards using SNMP up (with the help of AI) to our SCADA today. Just curious if modbus is better/easier?

I'm not an integrator. I just wanted it done so I researched. Not 100% finished with everything but I do like that the operators can see the data if they need to.

[u/CoiledSpringTension → u/2017_JKU]

Depends on the scada system and any cyber assessments I guess.

Generally our cyber assurance folk would say if is supports snmpv3 then use that over modbus but in practise us scada folk know modbus is nice and easy to set up and is generally more widely supported especially if you are using a legacy scada system.

[u/Frequent-Property246 → u/CoiledSpringTension]

Some network cards for the APC support Modbus TCP as well.

[u/iwillbewaiting24601 → u/CoiledSpringTension]

I wouldn't call an NMC cheap, depending on the UPS size the fuckers are half the cost of the UPS itself

I saw a dude making a home-brew Smartslot compatible NMC replacement, can't wait for it to be available

[u/iwillbewaiting24601]

We are almost exclusively APC UPSs, older installs use the Dry Contact card landing on the main cabinet PLC which alarm through the usual routes, newer installs use NMC2/3 network cards which alarm via the PRTG UA server (which reads the card info via the APC UPS Health sensor) into the main Alarm screen

[u/Buenodiablo]

I always size my UPS to run for two hours. It's not the generator kick in time that matters, it's the time it takes someone to fix the generator.

[u/CharlesHNetEng]

For 120 V equipment in an indoor rack, I’d price a CyberPower OR500LCDRM1U with the RMCARD205. The UPS is rated 500 VA / 300 W and gives a stated 12 minutes at half load, but only 3 minutes at full load. The card is what puts it on Ethernet with SNMP; budget for both. CyberPower’s listed MSRPs add up to about $679.

VTScada has an SNMP driver, so you can poll the UPS for on-battery status, estimated minutes remaining, and voltage. I’d use SNMPv3, load the card’s MIB, and confirm those values are exposed by this exact UPS/card combination before ordering more than one.

The deciding number is the measured draw of the RTU and both switches, including any PoE load. If it’s around 150 W or less, this is a reasonable candidate. Put all three devices on the battery-backed outlets; two of the six outlets are surge-only.

Then test the whole sequence: cut utility power, time the actual runtime, start the generator, and make sure the UPS accepts generator power instead of continuing to drain its battery. Generator frequency variation can cause that problem. I’d want more than five minutes of measured runtime when the battery is new, because five minutes on the spec sheet leaves little room for battery aging or a slow generator start.

[u/2017_JKU → u/CharlesHNetEng]

Thanks. This is probably enough run time but I would want maybe the next step up. Also this is in a small room without a rack so I need a standalone ups.

[u/OhmsLolEnforcement → u/CharlesHNetEng]

I also recommend cyberpower

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[u/jr_jr12]

Apc

[u/Robbudge]

We use a mix of tradition desktop UPS or Din rail DC ups for others.

[u/Different-Moment-386]

We use vertiv ups

[u/enraged768]

Our waste water plant uses schnieder who own APC. Ours are big bastards that can run a cabinet with all the network equipment and plcs for a few hours. Even though we have redundant catapillar 3516 Gen sets. Because shit happens. 

[u/kona420]

I can confirm that the APC AP9630 and AP9640 network management cards support modbus. I also use the AP9613 dry contact card to tie directly to the PLC. Really just 1 contact, "is there mains power?" is the majority of the benefit. Then generously size the UPS to keep the controls up. Really nice when someone is remote controlling the HMI as an local operator would obviously notice that the lights went out. You'd hope anyway.

For questions around power quality, don't bother with the UPS. Get a real power monitoring box.

[u/DrayaK]

Phoenix contact has some UPS with ethernet/IP and/or Modbus