Why the UPS Failed During a Blackout but Passed All Tests?

Uninterruptible Power Supplies (UPS) are designed to perform flawlessly during power disturbances, yet real-world failures continue to occur at the worst possible moment: during an actual blackout. This webinar explores a compelling engineering mystery in which a UPS system passed all routine inspections, load tests, and commissioning checks, yet failed catastrophically when needed most. Through a forensic engineering lens, participants will examine hidden failure modes, including battery degradation under dynamic load, inverter transfer delays, control logic anomalies, and upstream protection coordination issues. The session bridges the gap between laboratory validation and real-world operating conditions, highlighting why “passing tests” does not always guarantee reliability in practice. Key takeaways from this webinar: Understand the limitations of standard UPS testing protocols versus real-world transient conditions. Identify hidden failure modes in batteries, static switches, and inverter control systems. Analyse the impact of load characteristics (nonlinear, inrush, harmonics) on UPS performance. Develop improved testing, maintenance, and validation strategies for mission-critical systems. Presenter: Emeritus Professor Akhtar Kalam BSc, BScEng, MS, PhD, FIET, CEng, FAIE, FIEAust, CPEng, NER, APEC Engineer, IntPE(Aus), PEV, MCIGRE, Life Senior Member of IEEE. Professor Akhtar Kalam is a supervisor of EIT’s Doctoral students. He has worked at Victoria University since 1984 and recently associated with the Institute for Sustainable Industries and Liveable Cities. He is the Editor in Chief of Australian Journal of Electrical & Electronics Engineering. Further, he has Distinguished Professorship position in many national and international institutions. He has been recognized internationally and nationally for his research. He is regularly invited to deliver lectures, work on industrial projects, and examine external theses overseas. Professor Kalam is a registered Professional Engineer in the state of Victoria (PEV), Fellow of EA, IET, AIE, a life Senior Member of IEEE, NER, APEC Engineer, IntPE (Aus) and a member of CIGRE AP B5 Study Committee. __ The Engineering Institute of Technology (EIT) is one of the only institutes in the world specializing in Engineering. We deliver industry-focused professional certificates, diplomas, advanced diplomas, undergraduate and graduate certificates, bachelor’s and master’s degrees, and a Doctor of Engineering to students from over 140 countries. -- FOLLOW US! Website: www.eit.edu.au Instagram: www.instagram.com/eit_engineering_training Facebook: www.facebook.com/EngineeringInstituteofTechnology LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/school/engineering-institute-of-technology Twitter:   / enginstoftech   -- All content in this video is current as of the date of upload. -- EIT CRICOS Provider Number: 03567C | EIT Institute of Higher Education: PRV14008 | EIT RTO Provider Number: 51971 -- #eit #engineeringinstituteoftechnology #engineering #studyengineering #STEM #blackout #problemsolving #technology