New uninterruptible power supply (UPS) units were installed in several stations of the Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3) this weekend, in a move to increase the security and reliability of the rail service.
In a Facebook post on Monday, the MRT-3 said a new UPS unit was installed at the MRT-3 Depot in North Avenue Station on Sunday, while the UPS units in Shaw Boulevard and Taft Avenue stations were upgraded on Saturday.
“Ang UPS unit ay ang ginagamit bilang back-up power supply sa mga oras ng emergency, kapag nagkaroon ng power interruption o power failure (UPS units are used as a back-up power supply in times of emergencies, in case of power interruption or power failure),” the MRT-3 said.
In a message, the MRT-3 management said the new UPS units have increased capacities at 40 kilo-volt-ampere (kVA) each— compared to the old UPS units at 20 kVA—which allowed the new UPS units to support the MRT-3’s Automatic Fare Collection (AFC) system, unlike the old UPS units.
It said the new UPS units also support the upgraded signaling systems of the MRT-3 for increased safety and security of the rail service’s passengers.
“Basically, the new UPS has increased capacity vs. the old. Critical loads are supported by UPS, such as the AFC system, signaling, emergency lights, fire alarm,” the MRT-3 management said.
With the UPS upgrades, it said the North Avenue Station will have a capacity of 100 kVA, while both Shaw Boulevard and Taft Avenue Stations will each have an 80-kVA capacity.
It added the upgrade was part of the comprehensive rehabilitation of the MRT-3 led by the Department of Transportation through maintenance and rehabilitation provider Sumitomo-MHI-TESP.
Last week, the MRT-3 said 45 out of its 46 escalators were fully operational following repair works at the Shaw Boulevard (northbound) Station.
Beginning March, the MRT-3 also deployed a total of 30 train marshals that were tasked to be first responders for any incidents aboard its trains as well as provide assistance to the rail service’s passengers. (PNA)
