The Role of Industrial Power Supply in Maintaining Continuous Production
While most households might not think too deeply about their power supply (that is, until it fails, of course), having a constant and stable source of power can be described as a critical component for most types of business. Without a stable supply, industries that rely heavily on power, like those in industrial settings, risk facing regular stoppages that can wreak havoc on a finely tuned workflow, and possibly even damage equipment that is sensitive to an unstable electrical supply.
In fact, by some estimates for larger enterprises, the hourly cost for such downtime can range between $100,000 and reach up to astronomical levels, making a consistent supply of energy vital. In this post, we’re taking a look at the role that industrial power supply has in ensuring that the very backbone of a nation’s economy can remain functional and efficient.
What Is An Industrial Power Supply?
To really dig down into the reasons why power supply is so crucial, it’s worth taking a brief look at what we mean when discussing “industrial power supply”. In essence, we are really talking about the way in which energy is delivered in large quantities to the locations it’s most needed. This could be for a large hospital, an office block, or more commonly, factories, warehouses, and construction sites. In almost all of these settings (but not exclusively), businesses will choose to invest in devices like an industrial UPS system, which is a heavy-duty, high-reliability power protection system specifically designed for critical industrial environments where even a few seconds of power interruption can cause:
- Massive financial loss
- Equipment damage
- Satey risks
- Production shutdowns
Systems such as the UPS device and the way power is delivered differ from power systems designed for residential areas in terms of complexity, ability to draw more power as and when required, and upgradability. Businesses that make use of an industrial power supply will also need to invest in ways to receive such large amounts of energy and involve systems like circuit breakers and switchgear, which you might need in a house, but have been heavily upgraded and hardened to be able to receive and distribute power more effectively and safely.
Common Power Supply Challenges
The reason that there exists such a market for the various systems that power the economy is due to some pretty hefty challenges that face the grid and have the potential to cause significant economic shocks.
- Grid instability: Nothing is ever 100% efficient, and this is certainly the case for most countries’ electrical grids. The more unstable the grid, the more likely it is that industrial operations will need to invest in ways to smooth out the power they receive.
- Aging infrastructure: The unfortunate truth is that most countries fail to invest adequately in their energy infrastructure. This not only causes issues right here and now, but can also cause significant issues down the line if not addressed.
- Increasing energy demand: With more businesses popping up, more people buying homes, and an overall increase in the use of energy, demand can often outstrip supply.
- Environmental issues: It’s always a balancing act when attempting to increase energy creation with how it affects the environment, and it’s not always the case that the most efficient way forward is the option chosen.
- Weather-related risks: Adverse and inclement weather can wreak havoc on electrical grids, which are often the first thing to go when storms strike.
Although many of these challenges are outside the scope of what a business m ight be able to influence, they can invest in various techniques and equipment that can help to mitigate most of the risk.
Industrial Power Supply Systems
Numerous components make up what we might call an industrial power supply system, and each of them has been designed with high output in mind. Not all items are needed, and certain industries will require different options, but in general, these items can include:
| Item | Use |
| Transformers | These are used to step voltage levels up or down, depending on what the energy is destined to power. They ensure equipment receives the right amount of energy for it to function effectively and prevent damage. |
| Switchgear | This is a catch-all term for things like circuit breakers, disconnect switches, and protective relays. But all are required to control and isolate the electrical gear. |
| UPS | We have already touched on the Uninterruptible Power Supply systems earlier, but they are created and installed to ensure continuous power using industrial batteries. They can stop the sudden shutdowns of sensitive electronics, which could cause irreparable damage, and keep things running until power returns. |
| Industrial generators | Some industries need backup power to ensure operations can continue unabated. Most are powered by diesel, which still offers the best power output and length of operational time. |
| Voltage regulators | These devices maintain a stable output voltage despite fluctuations in input voltage from the grid or generators. |
| PDUs | Power Distribution Units can be said to be the unsung hero of industrial power supplies, since they split the incoming single source of power and distribute it to all the machines that are needed to keep the lights on and operations humming along. |
The Shift Toward Sustainable Power
It would be remiss to discuss energy in any setting without exploring the shift towards more sustainable power supplies. It certainly used to be the case that options like solar and other renewable sources of energy were simply unable to provide the sheer amount of raw power necessary to run an industrial operation.
While that is still the case when looked at in isolation, the fact is that many businesses are opting to supplement their conventional sources of power with things like solar panels and wind turbines on the roof of their facilities. While unable to offer 100% of their needs, these sources of energy (when installed and connected correctly) can offer an alternative to help reduce overall energy costs, and also ensure a stable supply if mains power goes down for whatever reason.
Industrial power supplies are designed and set up to make sure that industrial operations can run day and night without interruption. Although businesses face plenty of challenges when it comes to power, by investing in the right things, they can ensure that power remains consistent enough to keep workflows operational.
