UPS Systems - What Are They?
Written by bmlengel on February 7th, 2010
Summary: UPS devices that can be placed by your PC on your desktop are the most commonly used ones as they fit conveniently and will give power to the PC in the event of a power failure. However they do not provide the ideal protection against brownouts and spikes. This is the reason why you need to have a proper UPS system that can supply energy as well as shield your PC.
An UPS system is basically an on-line system that has the ability to transform AC power from the main source to DC power to be stored in the battery and back to AC power to be supplied to connected equipments during an unexpected power failure. This kind of an UPS system is capable of providing an uninterrupted power supply along with complete security against brownouts and spikes.
UPS systems generally refer to more than one UPS working in conjunction with another UPS, thereby providing superfluous energy and better security to equipments. The most common batteries used to store the power in the UPS system are the lead acid batteries; these can last between 4 to 5 years.
The capacity of these UPS power supplies is determined by the usage requirement that can be evaluated by the number of equipments that will ultimately use its power source. It is essential that the systems are serviced and maintained appropriately as they are support vast numbers of equipment; scrutiny of the system is therefore needed.
Unlimited power however, cannot be provided to the UPS systems and maybe restricted to a condition of energy for perhaps only a few days or a week. A backup source such as a generator is therefore necessary. The uninterrupted power supply is provided to a vast number of equipments by the two working together; this safeguards them from disruptions like brownouts and spikes.
There are three types of UPS systems available that include on-line, line interactive and standby UPS systems. The standby UPS supplies upto 20 minutes protections and is the least expensive. It however, only offers very simple attributes such as surge defence and backup energy. Due to the fact that this does not have the potential to self-test or the ability to monitor, it makes it very vulnerable to any sudden unexpected power surges. If you are looking for something reliable, then this should not be considered.
The line interactive UPS is more or less like the standby UPS but for the fact that it consists of an autotransformer that can plus or minus power coils and in turn control the output electrical energy of the transformer. It can withhold low voltage brownouts and high voltage surges. Due to the fact it has a more powerful charger and an advanced cooling system, the on-line UPS is more costly than the other two UPS systems, although similar in technology.
An on-line UPS system scores a point above the standby and the line interactive UPS systems as it offers a protective electric firewall between the inward bound energy and the vulnerable equipment. It is hence a more feasible option if you are considering buying a UPS system.
Tags: UPS power supplies, UPS system, UPS systems
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