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UNINTERRUPTIBLE POWER SUPPLY:

An uninterruptible power supply, also uninterruptible power source, UPS or battery/flywheel


backup, is an electrical apparatus that provides emergency power to a load when the input power
source, typically mains power, fails. A UPS differs from an auxiliary or emergency power
system or standby generator in that it will provide near-instantaneous protection from input power
interruptions, by supplying energy stored in batteries, supercapacitors, or flywheels. The on-battery
runtime of most uninterruptible power sources is relatively short (only a few minutes) but sufficient to
start a standby power source or properly shut down the protected equipment.
A UPS is typically used to protect hardware such as computers, data
centers, telecommunication equipment or other electrical equipment where an unexpected power
disruption could cause injuries, fatalities, serious business disruption or data loss. UPS units range in
size from units designed to protect a single computer without a video monitor (around 200voltampere rating) to large units powering entire data centers or buildings. The world's largest UPS, the
46-megawatt Battery Electric Storage System (BESS), in Fairbanks, Alaska, powers the entire city
and nearby rural communities during outages.

COMMON POWER PROBLEMS:


The primary role of any UPS is to provide short-term power when the input power source fails.
However, most UPS units are also capable in varying degrees of correcting common utility power
problems:
1. Voltage spike or sustained overvoltage
2. Momentary or sustained reduction in input voltage
3. Noise, defined as a high frequency transient or oscillation, usually injected into the line by
nearby equipment
4. Instability of the mains frequency
5. Harmonic distortion: defined as a departure from the ideal sinusoidal waveform expected on
the line
UPS units are divided into categories based on which of the above problems they address, and some
manufacturers categorize their products in accordance with the number of power-related problems
they address.
Below are some common power problems and their general power protection solutions.

Voltage Surges and Spikes


Surges: Sudden increases in electrical current through the line. Surges can be triggered by heavy
equipment being turned off or by utility switching. Surges happen frequently but may not be noticed
because they last such a short period of time. They can damage hardware and corrupt data. (Power
protection solutions: UPS, surge suppressor or line conditioner)
Spikes: Increase in voltage through the line for a very short period of time. The results can damage
hardware and data. (Power protection solutions: UPS, surge suppressor or line conditioner)
Brownout or Voltage Sags
A reduction in the incoming electrical current and the cause of most power problems. A computer has
to work harder when it is not being supplied enough power creating more wear and shortening the life
of critical components. (Power protection solutions: UPS or line conditioner)
Blackouts or Power Failure
Complete loss of power can cause the obvious problems of lost data and hardware damage. When
power is restored one can also experience the power problems mentioned above: surges, spikes and
voltage sags. (Power protection solutions: UPS)
Frequency Variations
Change in frequency stability. (Power protection solutions: UPS, surge suppressor or line
conditioner).
Line Noise
Signals that are embedded or overlaid onto incoming power. This usually doesn't damage hardware

but can corrupt data. It is caused from the use of other electrical equipment or household appliances
like microwaves, hairdryers or vacuum cleaners. (Power protection solutions: UPS, surge suppressor
or line conditioner).
To determine the requirements for a UPS generally involves a balance of cost vs. need. The
components of a basic UPS system contain a battery charger/rectifier, batteries, and an inverter. The
battery charger is a rectifier that converts AC power to DC in order to charge the batteries. The
batteries store power that is supplied to the load when there is a loss or decrease of a certain tolerance
of utility supply power. The inverter converts the DC power from the battery to AC power used to
supply the load.

Types of UPS:
Offline UPS or Standby Power Supply
An offline UPS provides battery power to equipment when the mains power supply falls below a predetermined limit (usually around 200 V AC). This battery usually lasts ten minutes. Offline UPS units
are often referred to as standby systems, as the inverter is in standby mode until the mains power
supply fails. They are inexpensive and recommended for home offices. Offline technology should be
avoided for applications where there is frequent power disturbance.

Under normal operating conditions, AC power from the utility passes straight through the UPS to the
critical load. A charger converts AC power to DC to charge the battery. The inverter is used to
convert the DC power from the battery to create AC power to support the load when the utility fails.
Normally the inverter is operating in the standby mode, keeping the batteries charged. Should the
utility power go out of specification, the inverter powers the load, drawing energy from the battery.
This topology is also called "single-conversion" because at any point of time, power is only being
converted once (AC to DC or DC to AC).
Line-Interactive UPS

A line interactive UPS contains a regulator that boosts the mains power supply when it falls. It can
regulate power to an acceptable level, without the use of a battery, during a brownout or surge in
supply voltage. Similar to an offline UPS, there is a short period (i.e. transfer time) when a line
interactive UPS switchs to battery mode during a blackout. Most line interactive UPS units have
additional features including sinewave output, enhanced software and connectivity options. They
provide a high level of protection, at an affordable price, for corporate applications.

This category resembles the offline product, but inserts a transformer or inductor in series between the
utility power source and the load. This in-line inductor enables the UPS inverter to interact with
incoming power and provide a measure of power conditioning to the load. This buck-and-boost
circuitry helps in high and low input voltage conditions.
Double-Conversion On-line UPS
True on-line UPS units provide the highest level of protection. An on-line UPS absorbs the incoming
AC supply, converts it to DC then inverts it to AC to supply critical power loads. An inverter supplies
regulated AC power to loads at all times; either from rectified mains or a battery with an on-line UPS.
In the event of a blackout, there is no transfer time or break in power supply.

Most on-line UPS units contain an automatic bypass to ensure continuous power supply during a
short-term overload or UPS failure. They are ideal for critical loads, sensitive equipment such as
medical or scientific technology and industrial loads. All on-line UPS units are fully generator
compatible. These UPS units are often referred to as double conversions because they can convert
from AC-DC to DC-AC.

UPS Selection Criteria:


After determining the specific UPS features required for the application and developing a list of
qualifying UPS systems, selection principally becomes an issue of engineering quality, layout and
economics. Below are some of the main criterions for selecting an appropriate UPS.
Output Power
It is necessary to consider the size of the load that is to be connected to the UPS. The load may consist
of a specific type of computer, workstation, mini-mainframe, hard disk drive, or test equipment. Once
the equipment requiring a continuous power source is identified, the necessary rating of the UPS
system can be determined by adding the volt-ampere (VA) rating on the nameplate of the equipment
to be served by the UPS.
Batteries Life
It should be mentioned that battery life is a major consideration for UPSs. Battery manufacturers' state

a five-to seven-year life for the lead-acid batteries used in the UPS. However, the actual battery life is
determined by how often the battery is called upon to take over when there is an outage, surge, sag or
swell. Each time the battery takes over, its useful life diminishes.
Cost
If one is buying a more expensive unit, get the one with the software that automatically saves data,
closes applications, and turns off the computer equipment in advance, before the UPS standby power
goes out, following the mains failure.
Vendor Warranty and Onsite Service Options
Remember that batteries have a limited life-span and in two to three years time one has to replace
storage batteries. Battery replacement is quite expensive in comparison to the initial UPS cost. Make
sure to explore all the possible warranty alternatives with the vendor, so that one receives the option
that is most convenient.
Additional Features
There are UPSs in the market with modem surge protection, electromagnetic interference (EMI) and
radio frequency interference (RFI) noise filters. Consider them if these specifications and protections
are of major concern for the sensitive electronic equipment proposed to be supported. Always exercise
this option to best suit the customer needs, checking the vendor's capability to provide service for
these value-adds.

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