What is a UPS?
A UPS also known as an uninterruptible power source or battery backup or uninterruptible power supply is an electrical device that gives emergency power to the load when input power source (the mains power) fails. An uninterruptible power source differs from a standby generator or an emergency power system in that it offers an almost instantaneous protection from the input power interruptions, by efficiently supplying the energy stored in flywheels, batteries or super capacitors .Normally, most uninterruptible power supply devices have a relatively short on-battery runtime but its sufficient to efficiently shut down the equipment protected or start the standby power source available.
An uninterruptible power source is normally used to protect the hardware such as telecommunication equipment, data centers, computers and other electrical equipment where a power disruption that is unexpected could cause fatalities, injuries, data loss or serious business disruption. Units of UPS range in size normally from units that are designed to protect only one computer without the video monitor to the large units powering huge buildings or data centers.
Common power problems
The key role of UPS backups is to offer short-term power when there is a failure of the input power source. However, most units of UPS are also capable of correcting the main utility power problems such as;
1. Sustained overvoltage or voltage spike
2. Sustained or momentary reduction in the input voltage
3. Noise, defined as high frequency transient usually injected in the line by the equipment nearby
4. Instability of mains frequency
5. Harmonic distortion; this is the departure from the normal sinusoidal waveform that is expected to be on the line.
UPS units are normally divided into various categories based on the problems they address.
Important UPS facts
In addition to being a backup when power goes out, uninterruptible power supply devices also act as the power conditioners, this means that they ensure that electricity flowing to the computer and other accessories is absolutely free from surges or drops. Normally, a computer that is not getting a consistent electricity flow can get damaged, thus including a UPS system as a part of your complete computer system is always recommended.
Battery backup description
The battery backup usually sits between utility power and the computer parts. In other words, your accessories and computer plug into the UPS and the UPS plugs into the utility power.
Uninterruptible power supply devices normally come in many sizes and shapes but are commonly rectangular hence they are free standing and are able to sit on your floor near your computer. All the uninterruptible power supply devices are also very heavy because of the batteries that are located inside them.
A single or more batteries located inside the UPS device provides adequate power to all devices that are plugged into it when the power from wall outlet is not available. These batteries are often replaceable and rechargeable, thus offering a reliable long term solution to keep the computer system running.
The uninterruptible power source device has a power switch on its front part, the power switch is used to turn this device off and on, and it also has other additional buttons to perform various functions. Some of the advanced battery backup units also have LCD screens that display information about the amount of power being used, the amount of charge in the batteries , etc.
Popular UPS manufacturers are;
APC, CyberPower, Ultra, Belkin and Tripp Lite.
A UPS also known as an uninterruptible power source or battery backup or uninterruptible power supply is an electrical device that gives emergency power to the load when input power source (the mains power) fails. An uninterruptible power source differs from a standby generator or an emergency power system in that it offers an almost instantaneous protection from the input power interruptions, by efficiently supplying the energy stored in flywheels, batteries or super capacitors .Normally, most uninterruptible power supply devices have a relatively short on-battery runtime but its sufficient to efficiently shut down the equipment protected or start the standby power source available.
An uninterruptible power source is normally used to protect the hardware such as telecommunication equipment, data centers, computers and other electrical equipment where a power disruption that is unexpected could cause fatalities, injuries, data loss or serious business disruption. Units of UPS range in size normally from units that are designed to protect only one computer without the video monitor to the large units powering huge buildings or data centers.
Common power problems
The key role of UPS backups is to offer short-term power when there is a failure of the input power source. However, most units of UPS are also capable of correcting the main utility power problems such as;
1. Sustained overvoltage or voltage spike
2. Sustained or momentary reduction in the input voltage
3. Noise, defined as high frequency transient usually injected in the line by the equipment nearby
4. Instability of mains frequency
5. Harmonic distortion; this is the departure from the normal sinusoidal waveform that is expected to be on the line.
UPS units are normally divided into various categories based on the problems they address.
Important UPS facts
In addition to being a backup when power goes out, uninterruptible power supply devices also act as the power conditioners, this means that they ensure that electricity flowing to the computer and other accessories is absolutely free from surges or drops. Normally, a computer that is not getting a consistent electricity flow can get damaged, thus including a UPS system as a part of your complete computer system is always recommended.
Battery backup description
The battery backup usually sits between utility power and the computer parts. In other words, your accessories and computer plug into the UPS and the UPS plugs into the utility power.
Uninterruptible power supply devices normally come in many sizes and shapes but are commonly rectangular hence they are free standing and are able to sit on your floor near your computer. All the uninterruptible power supply devices are also very heavy because of the batteries that are located inside them.
A single or more batteries located inside the UPS device provides adequate power to all devices that are plugged into it when the power from wall outlet is not available. These batteries are often replaceable and rechargeable, thus offering a reliable long term solution to keep the computer system running.
The uninterruptible power source device has a power switch on its front part, the power switch is used to turn this device off and on, and it also has other additional buttons to perform various functions. Some of the advanced battery backup units also have LCD screens that display information about the amount of power being used, the amount of charge in the batteries , etc.
Popular UPS manufacturers are;
APC, CyberPower, Ultra, Belkin and Tripp Lite.