Sunday 26 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.

It is also critical to consider how the UPS system decides when to switch to devices battery power. The backup systems are categorized into three based on this factor. There is the standby mode UPS system which detect when power supply is below a certain level. It is the cheapest and most available type of power backup.

Another type of UPS is the online interactive model whose inbuilt transformer controls and detects changes in power supply. Only when the power is interrupted or too low that the backup system can go to battery. This model can however be disastrous especially during continuous power interruptions and may damage your computer.

The best UPS system is the dual compression model that features an advanced system. Power quality is determined and reconstructed to suit your devices power requirements. An inbuilt inverter will convert AC power to DC power and later to AC after all power shortcomings have been addressed. This model will hardly damage your battery or affect the life span.

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.

Lastly, find out the specifications of the power backup system in terms of number and nature of power outlet ports. You will need a backup system that can protect your battery and computer from power outages and blowouts results. Some cheaper systems have outlets that offer protection for only electrical noise and surges. Also consider whether the system has other ports that are fully protected from electrical risks. Such ports may include the Ethernet, phone jack and other cable outlets.




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