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Built for AI-era data centers: certification supports safer deployment of higher-density, medium-voltage power architectures for AI and high-performance computing.
UL Solutions (NYSE: ULS) has announced that it has tested and certified ABB’s HiPerGuard to UL 9540, an energy storage system standard, giving data center operators independent validation of safety, reliability and grid‑ready performance for medium‑voltage backup power.
ABB’s HiPerGuard is the first UL 9540 certification for a system with a medium-voltage, multi-mode static inverter designed to perform as an uninterruptible power supply, known as a UPS. This milestone comes at a time when data center operators are accelerating the adoption of higher-density power architectures and looking to third-party certification to help align operators, equipment manufacturers, code authorities and utilities on safety and interconnection expectations.
The UL 9540 certification certificate was presented by Chanté Maurio, vice president of Data Centers in the Global and Strategic Accounts group at UL Solutions, to Sebastian Surply, head of ABB’s Critical Power group, at Data Center World in Washington, D.C.
“As AI drives rapid growth in data center demand, power infrastructure must scale safely and reliably,” said Maurio. “This certification shows that medium-voltage, inverter-based UPS technology can meet those expectations. UL Solutions is proud to support innovation that strengthens data center safety, power continuity and resilience.”
ABB’s HiPerGuard is a high-capacity backup power system designed for mission-critical facilities. It operates in parallel with the utility grid and provides near instant backup during outages, with scalable energy storage to support future growth. Compared with traditional rotating systems, electronics-based medium-voltage UPS designs can respond faster, reduce energy losses and heat at large sites and simplify expansion.
“The HiPerGuard’s UL Solutions certifications are an industry first,” said Sebastien Surply, Critical Power Leader for ABB’s Smart Power Division. “As the first static medium-voltage UPS to earn UL Certification, HiPerGuard sets a new benchmark for safety, performance and reliability. Designed to meet the demanding power, resilience and scalability requirements of AI data centers, HiPerGuard demonstrates ABB’s commitment to the next generation of digital infrastructure.”
UL Solutions certified the ABB HiPerGuard system to UL 9540, the Standard for Energy Storage Systems and Equipment, providing independent evidence that can support permitting, inspections and utility acceptance. Earlier, the multi-mode inverter power conversion unit2 used in HiPerGuard was certified to UL 1741, the Standard for Inverters, Converters, Controllers and Interconnection System Equipment for Use with Distributed Energy Resources, a prerequisite to achieving certification to UL 9540.
Learn more about UL Solutions testing and certification services for data centers.