Short answer: For the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, audio visual and effects company NW Group (through Norwest) supplied key parts of the audio system with Japan’s Hibino Corporation. After testing, Norwest’s engineering team chose the PowerShield Centurion Rack Tower 2000VA: 31 true online double conversion UPSs, every one with an SNMP communications card, plus 8 battery bank modules to extend runtime.
Outcome: in PowerShield’s words, “the event was a seamless success.” The equivalent kit today is the Centurion RT 2000VA (PSCERT2000) with the PSSNMPV4 SNMP card and PSRTBB12 battery module. ARC IP Networks is a trusted PowerShield supplier in Australia: genuine stock at competitive prices, with the full PowerShield Australian warranty, Australia-wide delivery and trade pricing.
Project at a glance
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Client | NW Group / Norwest, an audio visual and effects company, working with Hibino Corporation (Japan) |
| Sector | Major events and live production |
| Location | Tokyo, Japan (Tokyo 2020 Olympics) |
| Challenge | Power the audio system: dual Optocore networks, customised RF, Pyramix replay and timecode systems |
| PowerShield solution | 31 Centurion Rack Tower 2000VA true online UPSs, all with SNMP cards, plus 8 battery bank modules |
| Key models | Centurion RT 2000VA (PSCERT2000) + PSSNMPV4 + PSRTBB12 |
Source: PowerShield case study, Tokyo Olympics. The case study does not name the battery bank model; PSRTBB12 is the module PowerShield lists for the Centurion RT 2000VA.
Source: Smooth Power Delivers The Olympics To The World (PowerShield case study, NW Group / Norwest), published by PowerShield (powershield.com.au). This is a PowerShield project, summarised from PowerShield’s published case study. ARC IP Networks was not involved in the project; we supply the same genuine PowerShield models to Australian businesses.
The challenge: audio for a global broadcast
NW Group is an international audio visual and effects company. Norwest, part of NW Group, delivers complete end-to-end production services and is known internationally for large music festivals, community events and major international events.
The group has a long Olympic record. It previously delivered the opening and closing ceremonies for Sydney 2000, Athens 2004, the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics, London 2012 and Rio 2016. For Tokyo 2020, NW Group teamed up with Hibino Corporation from Japan to supply key technical components of the audio system:
- dual Optocore networks;
- customised RF solutions;
- Pyramix replay systems;
- timecode systems.
Every one of those systems depends on clean, continuous power, with no second chance once the ceremony is live.
The solution: 31 online UPSs, each on the network
Norwest’s engineering team selected the PowerShield Centurion Rack Tower 2000VA UPS after testing it to support their equipment. The deployment comprised:
- 31 true online double conversion UPSs;
- an SNMP communications card in every UPS;
- 8 battery bank modules to extend battery run times.
PowerShield’s case study sums up the result in one line: “the event was a seamless success.”
Why the Centurion RT 2000VA suits live production
- True online double conversion: audio networks, RF and replay systems run from continuously regenerated power rather than raw venue mains.
- 2000VA / 1800W with a 0.9 output power factor, so more real power per VA, in a 2U rack/tower chassis (600 × 438 × 88 mm, 26.5 kg) that fits standard 19-inch racks.
- Generator compatible, which matters at temporary and outdoor event sites.
- Expandable with the PSRTBB12 extended battery module (twelve 12 V 9 Ah batteries in 2U), matching the case study’s use of battery banks to extend run time.
- SNMP card slot: the PSSNMPV4 lets you control and monitor one or multiple UPSs and schedule shutdowns, start-ups and reboots, with VMware, Hyper-V and Modbus TCP/IP support.
- Hot-swappable batteries, programmable outlets and EPO. Warranty is 2 years, or 3 years when registered with PowerShield.
The outcome
“With 31 of the True Online Double Conversion UPSs, all included with SNMP communications cards and 8 Battery Bank modules to extend battery run times, the event was a seamless success.”
PowerShield’s case study does not include a published quote from NW Group or Norwest, so we quote its stated outcome instead.
What this means for your site
The pattern is a fleet of identical online rack UPSs, every one networked, with battery modules where runtime matters most. It fits Australian work such as:
- AV, staging and broadcast companies running audio networks, RF and replay racks at festivals, sport and corporate events.
- Rental and hire fleets that want one UPS model, one SNMP card and one battery module across every rack.
- Stadiums, arenas, theatres and convention centres with permanent AV and comms racks.
- Any site where a technician needs to see every UPS’s status from one screen.
For depth, rails and PDUs, see our comms rack UPS guide.
Build the same setup with ARC IP
| In the case study | ARC IP equivalent | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Centurion Rack Tower 2000VA (x31) | PSCERT2000 | 2000VA / 1800W online, 2U, 600 mm deep |
| SNMP communications card (one per UPS) | PSSNMPV4 | Monitoring, alerts and scheduled shutdowns |
| Battery bank modules (x8) | PSRTBB12 | Extended battery module PowerShield lists for PSCERT2000 |
| UPS + SNMP + rails in one SKU | PS2KRN2U | Network Ready bundle: PSCERT2000 + PSRK + PSSNMPV4 |
| Rack mounting | PSRK | Telescopic rails; not included with the UPS |
Model equivalents from PowerShield product pages. Quantities above are from the case study; size your own fleet to your load.
Genuine PowerShield for AV and event racks
Live Australian pricing (inc. GST) and availability are shown on each product page.
True online double conversion, 1800 W, 2U rack/tower, expandable.
PSCERT2000 with SNMP card and rail kit in one bundle.
Genuine PowerShield, supplied by ARC IP Networks
ARC IP Networks is a trusted PowerShield supplier in Australia: genuine stock at competitive prices, with the full PowerShield Australian warranty, Australia-wide delivery and trade pricing.
- Genuine PowerShield stock with the PowerShield Australian warranty, and warranty and RMA questions handled locally by our team.
- Australia-wide delivery, or free pickup from 6 George Street, Blackburn VIC 3130.
- Trade accounts for installers, integrators and MSPs, plus project and volume pricing on larger jobs.
- Pre-sales help on 1300 100 440 (Mon to Fri, 9 to 5 Melbourne time) or info@arcip.com.au.
Building or refreshing a rental fleet? Ask about trade and volume pricing on multiple UPSs, SNMP cards and battery modules: 1300 100 440.
See the full PowerShield range at ARC IP Networks.
Common questions
Straight answers from the ARC IP Networks team. Last reviewed October 2026.
NW Group’s Norwest engineering team selected the PowerShield Centurion Rack Tower 2000VA after testing. They used 31 of these true online double conversion UPSs, all with SNMP communications cards, plus 8 battery bank modules.
The case study lists key technical components of the audio system that NW Group supplied with Hibino Corporation: dual Optocore networks, customised RF solutions, Pyramix replay systems and timecode systems.
PowerShield lists the PSRTBB12 extended battery module for the Centurion RT 2000VA and 3000VA. It holds twelve 12 V 9 Ah batteries in 2U. The case study itself does not name the battery bank model.
With the PowerShield PSSNMPV4 card you can control and monitor one or multiple UPSs over the network and schedule shutdowns, start-ups and reboots, so a large fleet can be watched from one place.
No. This is a PowerShield project, summarised from PowerShield’s published case study. ARC IP Networks supplies the same genuine PowerShield models.
Yes. Call ARC IP Networks on 1300 100 440 or request a quote for trade and volume pricing on Centurion RT UPSs, SNMP cards and battery modules.
Equipping AV or event racks?
Tell us how many racks, the load per rack and the runtime you need, and we will quote Centurion RT UPSs, SNMP cards and battery modules.
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