Latest UPS Equipment Helps Port Talbot’s ‘Nerves Of Steel’

Corus, the international metals company, is a leading supplier to many of the most demanding metal customers around the world. At the Port Talbot steelworks, part of the Corus Strip Products Business, Corus invests in the latest technology required to produce world-class products and services.

Mindful of the risks that can be caused by breaks in the mains power supply, Corus and its IT consultancy Cap Gemini Ernst & Young approached Riello to specify and install a high capacity Uninterruptible Power System (UPS) and generator, capable of supporting Corus’ communications network that links Port Talbot to Europe and the rest of the World across a main gateway.

Three shortlisted suppliers were asked to quote. The requirement was the best 60Kv rated system at a competitive price.

Following a site visit and appraisal from a project manager at Riello, the recommendation was to use one of Riello’s highly acclaimed Master Dialog three phase units with a 60kVA capacity. Every model in the Master Dialog range uses an innovative double-conversion on-line capability with a transformer isolated inverter output. This means that the load is powered continuously by the inverter, using a EMI filtered, stabilised and regulated sinewave supply. This makes the UPS ideal for LANs, servers, data centres, industrial equipment, communications devices and any application requiring the ultimate in reliable power protection.

Corus and Cap Gemini Ernst & Young selected a Master Dialog with Riello’s multi-platform PowerShield² UPS monitoring and control software.

Master Dialog now provides Port Talbot with an outstanding long runtime solution for its critical IT and data processing applications, with the opportunity to extend back-up power to several hours duration using matching battery extension packs.

As an alternative, users can choose to specify one of Riello’s range of highly advanced auxiliary generator solutions. All Master Dialog models are supplied complete with Riello’s multi-platform PowerShield² UPS monitoring and control software. This program displays real time information on critical UPS data such as mains voltage, UPS load and battery charge. It also allows remote interrogation of UPS logs and operating parameters, to enable easy diagnosis of potential alarm and fault conditions. PowerShield² can instigate an unattended, orderly shutdown of single and networked PCs. It also allows users to define their own shutdown procedures, and establish critical file server shutdown hierarchy. For complete peace of mind, Port Talbot also specified Riello’s remote monitoring service. This system monitors the UPS for any changes in operation, linking with the customer service team to offer round the clock diagnostics and support. This enables Riello’s service engineers to be on-site before a fault situation becomes critical.

Cap Gemini Ernst & Young’s network engineer working at Port Talbot;

“The network now has a much more sophisticated power protection system and lets us sleep at night! The UPS is networked and we can monitor this on site here. Corus also has a 24/7 maintenance contract with a platinum service level agreement from Riello. The value of PowerShield² has already been demonstrated. We lost power on a modem recently and were contacted by Riello who told us of this immediately, before we detected it ourselves. Most impressive.”