STUDY ON INVERTERS IN TELECOM INDUSTRY

Status update
We are in the second week of the study. 20% of the interviews have been completed.
The findings are very preliminary and may undergo changes towards the end as we progress.

Initial findings show mixed responses

1. Current power solutions used
a) Usage practices of UPS
UPS Brands used : Birla, Microtech, Delta, Tritronics
UPS Specifications : 10 KVA – 250 KVA
Battery brands : Exide, Amaron, HBL
Battery specifications : 300 AH – 3000 AH
Application areas : Used as power source for telecom towers by Tower
companies like Quippo, Telecom Equipment suppliers
like Huwaei, ZTE

b) Usage practices of rectifier

Rectifier Brands used : Dyna, Delta, Alplab, Lineage, Emerson, Tritronics
Rectifier Specifications : 50 amps, 63 amps, 66 amps
Battery brands : Exide, Amaron, Amara Raja, HBL
Battery specifications : 300 AH – 3000 AH
Application areas : Used as AC – DC converter in power plants of Telecom
towers and main switching centres

c) Usage practices of Inverters – Not encountered among the companies met

2. Decision making
a) Key Decision makers
Turn key Service providers / Equipment supplier/Tower service providers are the key
decision makers for the core infrastructure of entire project on the following aspects
• Technology
• Application areas
• Reason for using particular technology
• Brands and specifications
Service contractor’s role and maintenance partners’ role in each case is decided by
the company itself.
In case of MSC / Equipment suppliers they would not purchase power back up
according to their choice
• Generally their customer (Telecom Operators) gives vendor list and
specification from whom the equipment supplier has to choose.

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 b) Key Purchase Parameters for inverters
• Reliable technology and quality
• Application suitability
• Availability of desired range and specifications
• Competitive cost
• Brand reputation
• Quality certifications
• Customer care
• Testing certificate and Approval is must

c) Key specifics on purchase methodology:

 Specifications/brands for Rectifiers, UPS and Batteries used by Telecom

infrastructure providers/Tower companies are decided by the Telecom
operators.
o Seeks competitive quotes from 4 -5 vendors for each product category
and finalizes
Telecom infrastructure providers/Tower companies also have the option of
suggesting the specifications and specifications/brands to the Telecom operators
 No role for electrical consultants in selection of inverters, UPS and
Rectifiers.

3. Reaction to high energy efficient inverters concept

• Most of them are willing to consider the inverters in future if economics match the
cost of current solutions.
• The concept has to compete with the renewable energy technology that would be used
in the most of future projects.
• Cost of these equipments will play a key role, as the current UPS and DG sets are
priced very nearly, If inverter with 96% efficiency is priced premium may not be
considered.
• The concept has got benefits, but has to deal with their own constraints
• Quality, Performance – also depends on the external parameters like temperature,
other equipments inter connected etc.

Appeals:
o 96% efficiency
o Upgradeability of the inverter to match increasing loads
o Transfer time reduced to naught
o Savings in Power

Apprehensions:

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o Details on number of installations done in the telecom sector abroad
o Test certificates/case studies critical to consider its usage
o Availability of desired specifications
o Cost benefit analysis needs to be proven over other products