Power Path Integrity
Compare a single chain, shared A/B and independent A/B assumptions; then trace capacity, losses, current, ride-through and common-mode failures to the IT load.
This interactive teaching scenario begins with an 800 kW IT load and editable shared A/B power-path assumptions. Single-chain, shared A/B and independent A/B presets populate a starting topology without claiming that a label proves resilience. The learner can change every capacity, efficiency, voltage, power-factor, autonomy and timing value used by the model.
Learning objectives
- Distinguish component redundancy from a complete independent service path
- Calculate path capacity, conversion losses and balanced three-phase current from visible inputs
- Predict maintenance, shared-dependency and utility-outage behavior without claiming certification or synthetic uptime
Trace the complete electrical path
The live one-line follows each modeled lane from utility or alternate source through UPS modules and final cable/RPP or overhead-busway distribution to the IT boundary. It reports path capacity, served real power, electrical input, losses and balanced three-phase current. A semantic table repeats the diagram so the same information remains available without color, animation or spatial interpretation.
Path capacity is the minimum of the entered source, available UPS-module and distribution limits. The model distinguishes installed module count from end-to-end path count. It also separates dual-corded load, which may transfer to either surviving lane, from single-corded load pinned equally to one path.
Predict and inject a failure
Before revealing the result, the learner predicts whether the selected event leaves service stable, degraded or unavailable. Events include utility loss, one UPS-module loss, path A failure, path A maintenance combined with path B failure, a shared-upstream failure and generator A failure during a utility outage. A shared-upstream fault only removes both lanes when a shared modeled node actually exists; the evaluator does not invent a common dependency for an independent topology.
The result states served and unserved kilowatts rather than producing a synthetic uptime percentage. A simplified FMEA-like register identifies normal capacity, full-failover module reserve, load path eligibility, ride-through timing and shared control or fuel assumptions.
Ride-through timeline
During a utility event, the inspection-time slider moves through the entered battery-autonomy and generator-acceptance assumptions. Storage carries the modeled load before generator acceptance. If acceptance occurs after the entered autonomy expires, the lab records the continuity gap instead of presenting later restoration as uninterrupted service. A generator-failure event can leave one lane on battery until its entered autonomy is exhausted while the other lane transfers to its alternate source.
Energy and commercial boundary
Normal electrical loss is derived from entered UPS efficiency and distribution loss while conserving input power, served IT load and losses. Annual loss energy is shown only when the normal path can serve the complete entered IT load. Cost remains not evaluated until the learner enters a tariff; an active outage never appears as an efficiency saving. Current uses real power, line-to-line voltage and power factor in a balanced three-phase teaching equation.
Use and limitations
This model does not perform protection coordination, selectivity, fault-current, arc-flash, harmonic, conductor, breaker, earthing, battery-curve, generator-dynamic, fuel-runtime or controls studies. It does not claim Tier certification, code compliance, availability, commissioning success or equipment suitability. Real work requires verified load data, one-lines, manufacturer curves, adopted requirements, qualified electrical engineering and integrated testing.
Save and compare power-path versions in Design Pro or open the A/B rack-feed reference card.