The University of Kent required a reliable standby power solution for the wheelchair platform lift serving Eliot Dining Hall.

The lift is used to support access to the dining hall for students, staff and visitors. During a power cut, surge or electrical fault, the lift could become unavailable, creating an accessibility issue within a busy part of the campus.

The university needed a UPS system that would support lift operation during a mains failure and help ensure the lift could return safely to the ground floor when required.

Access across the university campus is essential, particularly in shared spaces such as the main dining hall. If the wheelchair lift became unavailable during a power issue, parts of the building could become difficult or impossible to access for wheelchair users.

The UPS also had to be specified carefully because lift and elevator applications can present technical challenges. The motor’s high inrush current needed to be considered, along with the potential impact of regenerative braking and reverse electromotive force, which can place damaging current back onto the UPS system.

The challenge was to specify and install a UPS solution that could support the lift reliably, protect the UPS equipment and provide confidence that the lift would remain available during power disruption.

P&I Group surveyed the lift installation and specified a suitable UPS solution for continuous power support.

A 20kVA Riello Sentrium UPS was installed, providing 37 minutes of battery backup. The system was also fitted with an external wrap-around maintenance bypass switch, allowing the UPS to remain fully serviceable during annual maintenance visits without compromising availability.

The UPS was carefully selected to manage the lift motor’s high inrush current and the potential effects of regenerative braking. P&I Group supplied and installed a system capable of absorbing generated EMF energy, protecting the UPS and supporting reliable operation.

Testing was carried out to prove that the selected system was suitable for the lift application.

The University of Kent’s wheelchair lift is now supported by a dedicated UPS system and maintenance bypass arrangement.

The installation helps protect lift availability during power cuts and electrical issues, supporting accessibility within Eliot Dining Hall. P&I Group also provides annual UPS servicing with a four-hour fault response, helping maintain ongoing system reliability.

The project delivered a practical and cost-efficient solution for a critical accessibility requirement within the university environment.