Question 1

What's the difference between a UPS and a standby generator?

Accepted Answer

A UPS (uninterruptible power supply) uses batteries to carry your critical load the instant utility power drops — with zero gap — protecting equipment from outages, sags, and surges. A standby generator starts within seconds and provides sustained power for the length of an outage. They solve different halves of the same problem, which is why many critical facilities use both.

Question 2

Do I need a UPS, a generator, or both?

Accepted Answer

It depends on two things: whether your equipment can tolerate even a few seconds without power, and how long you need to run during an outage. Equipment that can't drop for a millisecond (servers, life-safety systems) needs a UPS. Anything that has to run for the duration of an outage needs a generator. For true continuity, a UPS bridges the gap until the generator takes the load. We'll assess your loads and tell you straight what you actually need.

Question 3

How is a UPS sized?

Accepted Answer

A UPS is matched to the load it protects — its capacity should cover your critical equipment with appropriate headroom for growth. We evaluate your critical loads during the site assessment before recommending a size, rather than guessing.

Question 4

What generator sizes do you install?

Accepted Answer

We've installed natural gas and diesel generators from 20kW all the way to 2.5MW.

Question 5

Can you service UPS & Generator units?

Accepted Answer

We do not perform preventive maintenance services on UPS or Generator units but have trusted partners that we routinely work with that we can recommend for service and repairs.

Question 6

What does an automatic transfer switch do in a standby generator system?

Accepted Answer

An automatic transfer switch monitors the utility supply. If utility power falls outside acceptable limits, it signals the standby generator to start and transfers the designated load once generator power is stable. When utility power returns and stabilizes, the switch transfers the load back. The exact transition and load sequence depend on the facility and system design.

Question 7

How often should commercial UPS batteries be inspected or tested?

Accepted Answer

There is no single schedule for every UPS. Battery age, temperature, operating conditions, and the manufacturer's requirements all matter. Regular visual inspection, system monitoring, and battery testing are part of a sound preventive-maintenance plan. We can recommend trusted service and repair partners to inspect and test the system.

Question 8

What does Data Power Source do?

Accepted Answer

We're a full-service commercial and industrial electrical contractor. That includes general electrical (turn-key installs, service upgrades, lighting, switchgear, EV charging, troubleshooting, maintenance), mission-critical power (UPS and standby generators), low-voltage and fiber cabling, and in-house engineering and design-build.

Question 9

Do you handle general electrical work, or only backup power?

Accepted Answer

Both. We're a full-service electrical contractor for commercial and industrial facilities — backup power is a specialty, not our only offering.

Question 10

Can you design a system if we don't have engineered drawings?

Accepted Answer

Yes. "No engineer-stamped drawings, no problem." We take a need from concept to engineered drawing to finished system in-house, without sending you to a separate engineering firm first.

Question 11

Preventive Maintenance

Accepted Answer

We perform infrared thermography to determine potential hotspots in electrical distribution and identify problems you can't see by looking at the equipment. A hotspot on a thermal image is usually the earliest outward sign of a developing fault.

Question 12

Can you upgrade commercial switchgear or electrical service while a facility is occupied?

Accepted Answer

Often, yes. The work may require staged sequencing, temporary power, and planned cutovers so critical operations can stay online. We confirm the existing equipment, loads, and shutdown constraints during the site assessment before setting the work plan.

Question 13

Do you install commercial EV charging stations in Metro Atlanta?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Commercial EV charging is part of our electrical service offering. We evaluate the facility's available capacity and distribution equipment first, then identify whether the project also needs service or switchgear upgrades.

Question 14

Do you install low-voltage cabling and fiber?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We install structured voice and data cabling, fiber, telemetry, and equipment connectivity and monitoring for commercial and industrial facilities.

Question 15

How do you handle safety?

Accepted Answer

Safety is built into every job. Our electricians are NFPA 70E arc-flash trained and First Aid/CPR certified, we maintain a drug- and alcohol-free workplace, and our EMR has held between .82 and .86 for three years.

Question 16

What does NFPA 70E arc-flash training cover?

Accepted Answer

NFPA 70E training addresses safe work practices for electrical shock and arc-flash hazards. It covers risk assessment, approach boundaries, personal protective equipment, and the steps used to establish an electrically safe work condition.

Question 17

What is an EMR, and why does it matter when choosing an electrical contractor?

Accepted Answer

An Experience Modification Rate compares a company's workers' compensation claims experience with similar businesses. A rate below 1.0 generally reflects better-than-expected claims experience. It is one useful safety indicator, and it is best considered alongside training, planning, supervision, and the contractor's overall record. DPS has maintained an EMR between .82 and .86 for three years.

Question 18

Can you do the work without shutting down our facility?

Accepted Answer

In most cases, yes. Much of our critical work — data-center modernizations, service upgrades, generator cutovers — is completed while the facility stays online, using temporary power and carefully staged sequencing. Avoiding downtime is a core part of how we plan every critical job.

Question 19

How do we get started?

Accepted Answer

Every project starts with a site assessment. Request a quote or call (770) 498-9622, and we'll assess the site, scope the work, and give you a clear plan, price, and schedule.

Question 20

What happens during a commercial electrical site assessment?

Accepted Answer

We review the facility, existing equipment, available drawings, critical loads, operating constraints, and the work you need completed. That gives us the information to define scope, sequencing, and the next steps for a clear plan, price, and schedule.

Question 21

Are you a commercial electrical contractor serving Metro Atlanta and Southeast US?

Accepted Answer

Based in Covington, Data Power Source serves Metro Atlanta and the Southeast, including Georgia, Alabama, North Carolina, Florida, South Carolina, and Tennessee. We work with commercial and industrial facilities to plan electrical installations, backup power, connectivity, and engineering services around their operational needs.

Question 22

What industries do you work in?

Accepted Answer

Data centers, healthcare and assisted living, government and military, education, broadcast and telecom, and municipal utilities.

Question 23

Do you offer emergency service?

Accepted Answer

Yes — 24/7 emergency service with a 4-hour response across Metro Atlanta & the Southeast.

Commercial Electrical Services FAQ

Mission-critical power

General electrical

Safety & credentials

Process & scheduling

Service area

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