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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.
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.