Friday, 31 October 2014

What To Consider When Choosing UPS

By Armando Rodriguez


Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) is an electronic device that offers battery backup service to computers or other devices during power interruptions. They therefore allow your devices to shut down safely in case of power outages. Another function of UPS is to protect your device from over-voltages and brow-outs. Choosing UPS system that suits your need can improve performance of your devices.

You need to put into consideration the power output of the UPS system as compared to your devices power consumption. Buy a backup system that can support all devices including wireless routers that demand much power. Furthermore, choose a backup system that can alert you about power shortcomings such as over-voltages, blowouts or power insufficiencies. That said, you might need to invest a little more to get the best UPS system.

You would also have to consider the run time of the UPS. This will determine for how long the backup system will give you power. When using devices that consume power faster, you might experience less run time. To understand the UPS run time, consider the power requirements off each device, bearing in mind that devices use more power during booting or overworking.

Also consider how the UPS detects when battery backup support should be activated. UPS systems can be grouped into 3 categories depending on power tolerance. A standby mode UPS system will only use battery power when power supply drops under a certain limit, say below 120 volts. In terms of cost, this type of power backup is relatively cheaper and more users basically consider buying it.

There is also an on-line interactive type that has an inbuilt transformer that controls the AC voltage when too high or too low. This ensures that the device battery will be used only when incoming power supply drops too low. Too much power interruptions can damage your battery as the UPS keeps on switching to battery. This will reduce your battery usage lifetime and the battery capacity.

You may also find another UPS system known as the dual conversion type that is considered the most effected power backup. The system is packed with an inverter that convert power supply to DC and later to AC after ensuring no power oversupply is noted. The process works out without notable transfer time. This efficiency eliminates the incoming line noise or surge because the inverter corrects any underlying problem. Thus over voltages, under voltages and related issues cannot damage your battery or the computer.

You would also need to consider the UPS system power output power. Cheap UPS may not output the actual sine wave AC power but instead converts battery power to square wave AC. devices like computer and monitors may have no issue with the square wave AC power but others devices like wireless routers might breakdown or get damaged. Dual-conversion UPS are the most efficient but they do cost more money.

It is also critical to consider the UPS power outlet or socket where you plug in devices. Some battery backup systems may have sage only outlets that offer protection only against electrical noise and surges but not outages or blowouts. A good UPS should also have cable ports, phone jacks and Ethernet that allow their protection against surges and spikes.




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