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Providing secondary components that either become instantly operational or are continuously operational, so that the failure of a primary component will not result in mission
failure. There are three levels of redundancy: the first level is called N+1. With N+1 redundancy, one more component (1) than the number required to do the job (N) is
provided. If, however, a facility has to shut down those N components for periodic maintenance, it may require the second level of redundancy, called 2N. This consists of two
systems, each of which contains N components – in other words, twice the number of components needed to do the job. The third level of redundancy is called N+1x2. This
consists of two N+1 systems in parallel. In N+1x2 redundancy, one side can be taken down for maintenance, and the other side will be protected from exposure to the risk of
downtime by its own redundant module.
The system is obviously required to work properly (i.e maintain standard voltages, acceptable currents, etc) when all N components are available
The N-1 criteria requires that all loads can be restored if any single component fails (i.e. N-1 componets still available). Note that this does not mean no short-term outage
should occur, only that the load be quickly (definitions vary on how quick) restorable.
For example, since it can take days to change-out a 300MVA power transformer (assuming a spare is handy), it is usually necessary to have an in-service spare available on-
site for every major transformer in the utility's system (or sufficient spare capacity elsewhere in the system to cover for it).
Some critical systems have gone beyond this and enacted N-2 criteria (which as the name suggests, allows for failure of any two components).
HTH
Bung
Life is non-linear...
2N being as was pointed out two systems running in parallel to support the load. At any one time the load can be supported by one system. The load sees no break. N+1 being
an alternative system running side by side. Failure of one system will result in a transition to the other system through static switchers or other menas so that the supported
load sees no break.
In other words look at a process that requires absolute reliance on security of supply. You would have a dual string capacity - each string being able to support the load in its
entirety (N+1). Now break this down even further to include 2N on each string. Two no-break UPS units tied in sync together. Each one of those able to support the load on its
own. You now have a system that approaches cast iron stability. You have accounted for failure of supply and also for failure of a unit.
Main thing to to imagine what can go wrong and try to work around it so that you can cover for any eventuality on the system. Generally systems grow in direct proportion to
the amount of money that would be lost if it fell over and the fear that the suits at the top have of this happening.
Rugged
Achieving true 2N is not as easy as it sounds. Be careful that you don't introduce any single points of failure downstream of your expensive 2N or N+1 system. It would be a
shame for a failed system controller, tie breaker or static transfer switch downstream of a 2N UPS system to shut down your loads. The ideal 2N scenario is to carry your two
completely separate systems all the way to the indiviual loads if they can accept two power supplies.
Rugged
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