What is a UPS Bypass Switch and What Does it Do?

A UPS bypass switch is a non-essential piece of equipment that works great with an uninterruptible power supply system. Definitely useful in the event of maintenance or repair. Unsure about UPS maintenance or repair and what engineers do and whether you even need it? Head over to HERE for all the information you need!

The core items you require to be protected in the event of power failure are, a UPS system and a battery to supply the power, However, if there is a major fault or you need to remove a unit for repair, a bypass switch ensures that power continuity is maintained in the event of a failure.

How do I know if my UPS has a bypass switch?

If your UPS system comes with a static UPS switch it will be labelled clearly on the product description before purchase, it generally comes as standard with an online UPS but it’s worth making sure so do get in contact so we can get you the correct information you need.

A maintenance bypass switch of the external variety will need to be purchased separately in most cases and fitted by one of our technicians. If your electrical systems are mission-critical, for example in manufacturing or healthcare, we will likely advise fitting an external switch when you first purchase your UPS system and which product is the best fit for your needs.

Our ability to work with you to determine your exact needs for power protection is our greatest strength in building our foundation.

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UPS Bypass Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is static bypass?

Static Bypass is the line which effectively joins the input supply to the output and continues to support the load without going through the UPS system.

How does a UPS Bypass Switch work?

UPS Static Bypass switches allow the normal UPS normal operation to be circumvented, in cases of an overload or fault situation. A properly designed system should enable this to be performed without loss of power to the load.

What is UPS Bypass Mode?

UPS Bypass mode is when you switch the circuit from going through the UPS to going around or bypassing it. A manual bypass switch is used to remove the UPS system from the circuit for servicing or maintenance or if it is no longer working correctly. An automatic transfer switch functions in the same way as a manual, but will also switch the UPSs load to mains electric automatically if the UPS experiences an internal failure.

What is bypass switch in inverter?

As a static inverter is a more specialised version of a UPS system it works the same way, the Bypass switch allows a static inverter system to be bypassed if there is an issue or maintenance is required.

What is UPS THDi?

Total Harmonic Distortion (THDi) is a measurement of the harmonic distortion and is the ratio of the sum of the power of all harmonic components to the power of the fundamental frequency. THDi is also used to characterise the power quality of electric power systems and the linearity of audio systems.

Two Main Types of Bypass Switches.

There are two main types of bypass switches that have purposeful functions. These are the static bypass switch and the external maintenance bypass switch.

The static bypass is used as a failsafe for the inverter; if the inverter should fail the load will drop automatically onto the mains input feed which ensures continuous power. This switch is fitted to almost all online UPS systems as an added safety measure to ensure power remains continuous.
The external maintenance bypass switch is attached to the outside of UPS and is sometimes referred to as a wraparound bypass for that reason. This bypass is used in order to continue the flow of power while the UPS is isolated and easy to remove for repair. The alternative is to power down the entire network in order to remove the UPS which, for some businesses, may mean several hours of downtime and cost them significant sums.