144 W 24 VDC / 6 A UPS backup power supply Bicker with supercapacitor and USB-C + RS485 Modbus interfaces

Modern and reliable protection against short-term power outages using supercapacitors – with fast charging and USB-C / RS485 Modbus interfaces

Are you dealing with short-term power outages or voltage drops in control cabinets? Avoid costly downtime and data loss. The industrial DC UPS UPSI-2406R2DP2MB with integrated supercapacitor-based energy storage reliably bridges short-term outages, voltage dips, and power fluctuations, thus ensuring an uninterrupted 24 VDC power supply at the output. UPS status and control are available in two ways: from a PC via USB-C and UPScom software, or directly from a PLC/SCADA via RS485 Modbus.

Main features and benefits for industrial applications:

• Stable power supply: ensures uninterrupted 24 VDC power with a load of up to 6 A (144 W) even in the event of a mains failure.
• Extremely long service life: supercapacitors withstand up to 500,000 charge and discharge cycles.
• Maintenance-free operation thanks to supercapacitors.

• Smart power management functions:
  • Power Sharing: intelligently distributes input power between the connected load and the supercapacitors. There is no need to oversize the AC/DC power supply.
  • Controlled shutdown and restart (UPScom): in the event of a power failure, it enables safe shutdown of connected devices and their automatic restart once power is restored.
  • Configurable parameters: UPS behavior can be configured (e.g. load sensor, shutdown delay, maximum backup time) via UPScom software.
  • Minimum load detection: automatic shutdown at low or no load to save energy.
  • Power-fail timer function: definable behavior during a power failure according to a configured time scenario.
  • Switching time: transition from normal to backup mode < 3 ms.

• Advanced management and diagnostics for programmers and maintenance personnel:
  • UPScom software (free download): enables comprehensive configuration and real-time monitoring of the DC UPS system.
    • Controlled shutdown and restart: in the event of a power failure, the software ensures controlled shutdown of connected devices (e.g. an industrial PC) to save data and prevent damage. Once power is restored, it automatically restarts the system without requiring manual intervention.
    • Script support: custom scripts (batch files) can be executed before system shutdown for application-specific processes.
    • Communication: USB-C and RS485 Modbus interfaces for configuration, management, and collection of status data.
    • E-mail notifications: automatic alerts in the event of loss of connection with the UPS, system shutdown, or power failure. These preventive measures help reduce or completely eliminate downtime.
    • Configurable parameters: load sensor, shutdown delay, maximum backup time, minimum charge capacity, and more.
    • Plug & Play: the device is recognized by the operating system as a UPS.

• Easy installation and durable design:
  • Compact design for DIN rail mounting, ideal for control cabinets and decentralized solutions.
  • Operating temperature: from -20 °C to +65 °C.

• Enhanced robustness and safety (EMC, protection features, operational reliability):
  • Resistance to interference and surge peaks (EMC):
    • EN 61000-4-4 (Burst): test voltage up to 2 kV, criterion A
    • EN 61000-4-5 (Surge): ±0.5 kV (L–N) and ±1 kV (L–PE, N–PE), criterion A
  • Protection functions:
    • Protection against reverse polarity at the input, overcurrent, and short circuit at the output
    • Integrated control and monitoring of the energy storage system for safe operation
  • Practical impact: suitable for use in industrial control cabinets and applications with higher electromagnetic stress (load switching, interference, surge peaks on the 24 V branch)

• Advanced management and diagnostics for programmers and maintenance personnel:
  • UPScom software (free download): enables comprehensive configuration and real-time monitoring of the DC UPS system.
    • Controlled shutdown and restart: in the event of a power failure, the software ensures controlled shutdown of connected devices (e.g. an industrial PC) to save data and prevent damage. Once power is restored, it automatically restarts the system without requiring manual intervention.
    • Script support: custom scripts (batch files) can be executed before system shutdown for application-specific processes.
    • Communication: USB-C (HID UPS, Plug&Play) for configuration and management (UPScom), and RS485 Modbus for transmitting status data to a PLC or SCADA system.
    • E-mail notifications: automatic alerts in the event of loss of connection with the UPS, system shutdown, or power failure (UPScom software function).
    • Configurable parameters: load sensor, shutdown delay, maximum backup time, minimum charge capacity, and more.

Long service life of supercapacitors – maintenance-free energy storage

Completely maintenance-free supercapacitors are available for uninterruptible DC power supplies, serving as highly efficient and exceptionally durable energy storage with a service life of up to 500,000 charge and discharge cycles for short-term and medium-term bridging times.

Unlike batteries, which store energy through a chemical reaction, supercapacitors operate on an electro-physical principle and can be charged and ready for use within a very short time. Under comparable operating conditions, supercapacitors have up to a ten times longer service life than conventional lead-acid batteries.

Supercapacitor-based storage systems also excel in high current capability, power density, and reliability. The long-life supercapacitor energy storage system operates over an extended temperature range and is equipped with integrated cell balancing.

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Main advantages of supercapacitors compared to lead-acid and LiFePO₄ batteries

🔋 1. Service life and cycles

• Supercapacitors: up to 500,000 charge and discharge cycles, with virtually no wear.
• Lead-acid batteries: approx. 500–1,000 cycles, degrade quickly.
• LiFePO₄: approx. 3,000–7,000 cycles, much better than lead-acid, but still significantly less than supercapacitors.

⚡ 2. Charging and discharging speed

• Supercapacitors: charge within seconds to minutes, immediately ready for use.
• Lead-acid batteries: charging takes hours.
• LiFePO₄: faster than lead-acid, but still requires tens of minutes to hours.

🌡 3. Temperature resistance

• Supercapacitors: operate over a wide range of -20 to +65 °C (sometimes more).
• Lead-acid batteries: issues already appear around 0 °C and above 40 °C.
• LiFePO₄: better than lead-acid, but charging below 0 °C is problematic.

🛠 4. Maintenance and reliability

• Supercapacitors: completely maintenance-free, contain no liquid electrolyte.
• Lead-acid batteries: may require maintenance (checking electrolyte level) and also degrade due to sulfation.
• LiFePO₄: maintenance-free, but require a BMS (Battery Management System) for cell protection.

⚙️ 5. Performance and load capability

• Supercapacitors: very high current capability, ideal for short-term outages and peak loads.
• Lead-acid batteries: lower current capability, discharge quickly under heavy load.
• LiFePO₄: better than lead-acid, but still not as exceptionally robust as supercapacitors.

❗ Disadvantages of supercapacitors (compared to batteries)

• Lower energy density → they cannot store as much energy (unsuitable for long backup times measured in hours).
• Higher cost per Wh than both lead-acid and LiFePO₄.
• They are typically used for short-term bridging of outages (seconds to minutes), not for long-term power supply.

👉 Summary:

• Supercapacitors = extreme service life, fast charging, high reliability, but small “energy reservoirs”.
• LiFePO₄ = the best compromise for longer backup time, with longer service life than lead-acid.
• Lead-acid batteries = inexpensive, but heavy, with short service life and low efficiency.

Power Sharing with intelligent input current detection

Thanks to the intelligent Power Sharing function, there is no need to oversize the input AC/DC power supply. The input power is kept constant and intelligently distributed between supplying the load and charging the supercapacitor storage. At low output load, more energy is directed to the charger; conversely, at higher load, more power is delivered directly to the load. This saves both energy and costs.

Minimum load detection

Thanks to the integrated load sensor, the DC UPS switches off automatically as soon as the load value falls below the set threshold (no-load condition). This prevents unnecessary energy consumption.

Configuration via UPScom software

The UPScom software (free to download) allows controlled shutdown and disconnection of connected devices in the event of a power failure to prevent data loss or damage. The responsive web user interface (WEB UI) opens in a web browser and is used to set and preprogram all parameters of the DC UPS system, as well as for real-time monitoring with a UPS charge status indicator. Adjustable parameters include, among others, load sensor (mA), shutdown delay, maximum backup time, minimum charge capacity before system startup, and e-mail alerts.

Secure shutdown and restart function for IPC systems

In the event of a power failure, the UPS signals voltage loss via the integrated interfaces so that a controlled shutdown of the computer system can be initiated and valuable data can be saved. Before the system shuts down, a custom script (batch file) can also be started to perform application-specific processes. The integrated restart function of the DC UPS automatically restarts the powered IPC once the voltage is restored, without the need for lengthy on-site intervention by a service technician – for example in fully autonomous computer systems located in inaccessible places.

E-mail notification service

UPScom sends you an e-mail in the event of loss of communication with the UPS, system shutdown, or power failure. These preventive measures can reduce or completely eliminate downtime.