Is IGBT Rectifier UPS still "New and Reliable" ?

Below is to clarify and to make a fair comparison between IGBT Rectifier Industrial UPS Vs Thyristor Rectifier Industrial UPS and IGBT Rectifier IT/Commercial
UPS based on the advanced technology and modern development today. Many of such arguments were done using a IGBT Rectifier UPS in IT/Commercial used
and the traditional Thyristor Rectifier UPS for comparison and was carried out quite some times ago (late '90).

Description IGBT Rectifier Industrial UPS Thyristor Rectifier Industrial UPS IGBT Rectifier IT/Commercial UPS

Three phase (4W or 3W) Yes 400/230, can 3W or 4W Yes 400/230, can 3W or 4W Yes 400/230, only 4W with N
Isolation Transformer (built-in) Yes Yes transformerless
Input Power Factor 0.97 - 0.99 0.8 >0.99
< 30% for 6-pulse bridge connection
and < 15% with H.filters 6-pulse bridge.
< 3% (because without input isolation
Total Harmonic Distortion(THDi) < 5%
tranformer)
< 15% for 12-pulse bridge connection,
and < 10% with H.filters 12-pulse bridge.

400/230V +/-20 to 25%(Std), less-

Input Voltage Range and Protection
400/230V +/- 15%(std), protected against 400/230V +/-10% (Std), protected against
protected against high transient, voltage
high transient, voltage surge with isolation high transient, voltage surge with isolation
surge without input isolation tranformer.
tranformer. tranformer.
(acts on the mains actively ---> Risk)

Online Double Conversion, as acc. IEC Online Double Conversion as acc. IEC on line double converstion, design with
Functional Principle
62040-3 Class VFI 111 SS. 62040-3 Class VFI 111 SS. charger and booster with ECO mode

Intermediate DC Circuirt / Voltage 220VDC (std) 220VDC (std) High DC voltage

approx. 150,000Hrs dpending on the approx. 150,000Hrs dpending on the lower MTBF due to the use of DC/DC
Rectifier MTBF
design factor of the bridge design factor of the bridge converter / booster & more battery cells
Maintenance & MTTR within 24 hours within 24 hours within 24 hours
Bigger rectifier rating and can aslo be up- Bigger rectifier rating and can aslo be up- normally rectifier rating is smaller and
Rectifier Rating sized to bigger rating for higher re- sized to bigger rating for higher re- fixed. Bigger UPS is needed to provide
charging capability charging capability higher rectifier rating
 Description
Rectifier Output DC Ripple Voltage
Rectifier efficiency
Rectifier Heat Loss
Battery Type
Battery Cells
(Rectifier + Battery) MTBF
EMC Compliance & standard
Overload Capability
Short Circuit Current
smaller due to less heatloss and normally
Ventilation / Fans
IGBT has been used for decades in the
Experience / Establishment
Total Cost of Onwership (TCO)
size as per electrical practice 1.2 times of need to size 2.5 times (6-pulse) & 2 times
Generator size for UPS
Input Harmonic Filter for THDi <5%
Cooling / ventilation for room
Maintenance & Accessibility
Environmental
IGBT Rectifier Industrial UPS
approx. 2 % with LC filter
approx. 92% to 96% depending on
rectifier size & isolation transformer
less
Design for VRLA & Ni-Cd
108 - 110 cells (VRLA)
170 to 182 cells (Ni-Cd)
With Ni-Cd, MTBF is > 100,000Hrs
Yes, IEC 62040 for UPS
150% for 1 min / 125% for 10mins
200% for 3sec (3Ph)
will be front access
inverter and extended to rectifier with
modern and advanced technology.
US rating (THDi < 5%)
No
smaller cooling
Simple / front access
higher efficiency, less heat & CO2
Thyristor Rectifier Industrial UPS
approx. 5% with LC filter
approx. 89% to 94% depending on
rectifier size & isolation transformer.
higher
Design for VRLA & Ni-Cd
108 - 110 cells (VRLA)
170 - 182 cells (Ni-Cd)
With Ni-Cd, MTBF is > 100,000Hrs
Yes, IEC 62040 for UPS
150% for 1 min / 125% for 10mins
approx. the same
bigger with higher heatloss and top-
loaded with accessibility
old design technology for AC/DC
converter and more traditional
bigger for 12-pulse
Yes, even for 12-pulse
bigger cooling required
Moderate / front access
lower efficiency and higher heatloss
IGBT Rectifier IT/Commercial UPS
small with high DC
> 93% because transformer less
smaller without input transfomer
Normally design based on VRLA
More battery cells are used (high DC)
lower due to VRLA battery cells, approx.
35,000Hrs
Yes, IEC 62040 for UPS
less over-current capability
lower
smaller but back access in most cases
is being long established, used mostly in
telco, IT and data centres.
higher
approx. 1.2 times bigger
No
smaller cooling
simplest (cascaded replacement) / non-
front access.
highest efficiency, lower heatloss.