Continuity for data centres and server rooms
Generator for a data centre
A power outage in a data centre or server room means an immediate loss of availability, a breach of SLA commitments and the risk of operational incidents. The UPS bridges the seconds — the generator takes over after starting and keeps the operation running for the whole duration of the outage. We design the complete standby system: from sizing through UPS coordination to load testing.
- UPS + generator coordination
- N+1 / N+2 per project
- Full-chain load testing
Overview
Why power continuity is critical for data centres
The UPS bridges the seconds — the generator must take over within a minute. A functional standby system is not a UPS or a generator separately — it is a coordinated chain. The UPS holds the operation during the generator start, the generator takes over the load and recharges the UPS. Without a correctly set time window and a load test of the whole system you cannot rely on standby reliability in a real outage.
A small business server room and a commercial data centre have very different requirements. Output, redundancy, UPS coordination, service availability — every parameter depends on the specific situation.
We prepare the complete standby system — output sizing, UPS coordination, redundancy configuration, load testing and service arrangements. Every solution is designed individually after analysing the specific infrastructure.
Risk of an outage
What an outage causes
Immediate unavailability
An interruption of power means the immediate unavailability of systems — web applications, enterprise systems, customer platforms and internal infrastructure.
Measurable impact
Every minute of unavailability has a measurable impact — interrupted processes, unmet SLA commitments and direct financial losses.
Data inconsistency
An unplanned server shutdown can cause data inconsistency, database damage or the need for a lengthy post-incident recovery.
Reputation damage
An infrastructure outage is visible to customers and business partners. Repeated unavailability damages trust and reputation.
SLA penalties
Every minute of unavailability of critical systems can mean a breach of contractual SLA commitments with customers, penalties or incident escalation.
Where it fits
Where a generator for a data centre makes sense
Commercial and private data centres
Commercial and private data centres with a requirement for continuous operation of servers, network infrastructure and cooling systems.
Company server rooms
Corporate server rooms, technical rooms and IT facilities of enterprise infrastructure — places where an outage directly hits the running of the organisation.
Control and dispatch centres
Control stations, dispatch centres, industrial SCADA centres and technological workplaces with a requirement for uninterrupted operation.
Systems with immediate impact
Systems whose failure would have an immediate impact on the running of the organisation, on customers or on downstream technologies.
NOC and security monitoring
NOC (Network Operations Centre), security monitoring centres and control infrastructure with a requirement for continuous availability.
Hosting and cloud
Enterprise IT infrastructure, hosting and cloud operations and technology centres whose core processes depend on continuous availability of digital systems — an outage immediately shows at customers, in internal processes or downstream technologies.
Design factors
What must be considered in the design for a data centre
Total critical output
Total consumption of critical circuits — IT load, cooling, emergency-route lighting. Output is set individually with respect to actual and planned consumption.
IT load and UPS recharge
IT load is mostly resistive and relatively stable. What is critical, however, is to include UPS battery recharging after an outage, cooling start-up and other technological circuits — total draw when the generator takes over is significantly higher than in steady operation.
UPS bridging window
The UPS must bridge the whole period from grid failure to generator stabilisation — typically 15–40 seconds depending on the project. UPS battery capacity, ATS settings and generator start time must be mutually aligned and tested in a real scenario.
ATS configuration
The type and configuration of the transfer switch must respect the UPS handoff timing, prioritisation of critical circuits (servers, cooling, security systems) and coordination with the building's control systems. A wrong setting can cause standby failure even with a functional generator.
Autonomy
The length of standby depends on SLA commitments and the criticality of the operation. Standard standby for server rooms is usually 8–24 hours; commercial DCs with high SLA require 24–72 hours or assured fuel supply for unlimited operation.
Redundancy
For critical applications an N+1 or N+2 configuration is designed — one extra generator as backup for the backup. The number and configuration of redundant units depend on the Tier level, SLA and operational criticality of the specific infrastructure. Tier II–IV levels are system architecture and design outcomes — not attributes of a single generator.
Acoustics
Data centres are usually located in commercial zones or built-up areas. The acoustic execution of the generator depends on the installation site and surrounding requirements.
Alarms and monitoring
For critical operations, automatic alarms and GSM notifications are a standard part of the solution. Advanced BMS or SCADA integration is designed as an individual project solution.
Service readiness
Emergency service with a defined response time, regular preventive maintenance and fast spare-parts availability are critical requirements for data centres. The generator must be functional always — not only on paper.
System solution
It is not just a generator — it is a complete functional system
Industrial generator units
Industrial AKSA generators with Perkins, Doosan or Volvo Penta engines. Outputs from hundreds of kVA to multi-megawatt units — sized for standby and prime duty of critical infrastructure. Output is chosen with respect to the real load including UPS recharging.
Transfer switch coordinated with UPS
The transfer switch coordinates the transition with respect to UPS timing — transfers only after generator stabilisation and ensures prioritisation of critical circuits. The configuration is part of the project documentation and must be tested across the whole chain.
Power infrastructure
The generator must cooperate with UPS systems, the building's power infrastructure and switchboards. We design the whole electrical part as a functional unit — from the incomer to the switchboard of critical circuits.
Fuel system
A fuel tank sized for the required autonomy (8–72+ hours). For critical applications with a requirement for continuous operation we also design fuel supply and level monitoring.
Alarms and monitoring
Automatic alarms, GSM notifications and status reports on fault or non-standard state. Advanced BMS or DCIM integration is designed as an individual project solution.
Process
UPS coordination and automatic takeover
A data-centre standby system is not a generator as an isolated element — it is a coordinated functional chain. Every link must be tested as a whole.
- Step 1
UPS takes over instantly
The UPS takes over the load in zero time without interrupting the supply. Battery capacity must cover the whole period from grid failure to generator stabilisation — typically at least 5–15 minutes depending on the configuration.
- Step 2
Generator start and stabilisation
The generator starts and stabilises voltage and frequency. Only after stabilisation does the ATS transfer the supply from the UPS to the generator. UPS battery recharging then begins automatically — total draw during takeover is higher than steady operation.
- Step 3
ATS respects the timing
The transfer switch must respect the timing of the whole chain — transfer only after generator stabilisation, prioritise critical circuits (IT, cooling) and coordinate with the building's control systems. A wrong ATS setting can cause standby failure even with a functional generator.
- Step 4
Full-chain load test
Standby functionality is proven only by a test of the whole system — simulated grid failure, UPS transition, generator start, load takeover, UPS recharging and shutdown. The test is performed at real or representative operating load, not off-load.
- Step 5
Turnkey commissioning
Turnkey installation concluded with a load test of the whole system — simulated outage, UPS transition, generator start, load takeover. After a successful test, handover to operation and setup of the contracted service.
References
Standby reliability and operational certainty.
The whole chain, not just the start test
A real test of the standby system does not end with a generator start test. The whole chain — grid failure, UPS transition, generator start, load takeover, UPS recharging and shutdown — must be tested at real or simulated load corresponding to the operating state.
Parameters designed for real operation
Generator output, UPS battery capacity, N+1 redundancy, ATS settings and circuit prioritisation — every parameter is designed with respect to real operation. Underestimation always shows during an outage, never during off-load testing.
Coordination decides
Generator, UPS, ATS and control systems must be mutually aligned — timing settings, transfer coordination and circuit prioritisation. Bad coordination causes standby failure even with functional components.
Contracted service
Standby for critical IT infrastructure requires contractually assured service with a defined response time. A generator that has a fault during the outage is like a generator without fuel — it does not help.
Every data centre individually
A standby system for a data centre differs from the backup of a manufacturing plant. We design every solution after analysing the specific infrastructure, output and operating requirements. Our engineers advise on output, redundancy, ATS configuration and UPS coordination — before a contract is signed and without unnecessary pressure. We supply generators to industrial operations, technology centres and buildings with high operational reliability requirements in the Czech Republic, Slovakia and other EU countries, and as an authorised AKSA dealer we provide industrial units, spare parts and emergency service.
By power
Related generator power pages
Ratings are indicative, not a full-facility guarantee — the required PRP or ESP rating is confirmed from your load profile, starting loads and critical circuits during project sizing.
Keep reading
Related topics and pages
Czech projects — scope as agreed
For Czech projects the delivery may include, as agreed: generator supply, design of the installation, commissioning on a prepared site, turnkey realization and a service contract. The scope is always clarified together during consultation and confirmed in the quotation.
International supply — EXW CZ/NL
International direct sales are preferably EXW Czech Republic / Netherlands; transport is agreed individually. Installation and service abroad are possible in agreed cases and are always confirmed individually by location and model. Manufacturer warranty.
We will design the standby system
We will prepare the complete standby system — output sizing, UPS coordination, redundancy configuration, load testing and service arrangements. Every solution individually, after analysing your infrastructure.