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Does Your Project Require a UPS?

Don’t let unexpected power outages or voltage spikes wipe out any progress you’ve made in your data. With a UPS (uninterruptible power supply), you can save your complex and time-consuming projects from disaster. Here we discuss whether your projects require a UPS, when and why you need to use a UPS and understand the different types of systems. This will help you make a more informed purchase decision.

What is an uninterruptible power supply?

The purpose of any UPS is to provide power in case there is an outage or when it senses any kind of failure in the input power source. They are different types of standby generators and emergency power systems and they provide almost-instantaneous protection from any power interruptions by using batteries (these can be either a flywheel or a supercapacitor).

The batteries themselves may have shorter runtimes but in most cases, that time is sufficient to save data and work in large-scale data centres. Sometimes, this power backup gives technicians the time to fix the problems that caused the outage. UPS’ can be extremely useful in protecting heavy-duty electrical equipment, data centres and computing equipment where unexpected surges/sags can cause very severe problems such as business disruption, data loss, and even fatalities/injuries.

Types of UPS

There are three types of UPS:

• Static – This uses power electronic converters
• Dynamic – Uses generators and motors (electromagnetic engines)
• Hybrid- Combination of both dynamic and static.

Offline/Standby UPS

• This is a basic UPS and provides light battery back-up and surge protection.
• During standard operations, it draws power from an AC outlet or some other main power source.
• Once the system senses that the main power source has failed or gone beyond acceptable limits, it switches to an “offline/standby” battery mode where it then goes straight to the DC/AC inverter. There will be a minor transfer time between the primary power source and the battery.

Double conversion/online UPS

• The double conversion/online UPS is different from the offline/standby. This is because the DC/AC inverter is connected to it at all times.
• This means there isn’t any transfer time between the primary power source and the battery.
• This working system provides greater protection against sags, spikes, electrical noise, as well as a total power failure.

Line-interactive UPS

• This system’s design is similar to the offline/standby. But it has properties of an online/double system too. This design can easily handle small over-voltages & under-voltages (about 20% from the standard voltage) as it uses a buck-boost converter or a multi-tap variable voltage autotransformer.
• Even during the small over/under-voltages, the battery isn’t being used and it continues charging until there is a big under/over-voltage.

Which system should you use?

Offline/standby UPS are good for applications such as home PCs, printers and scanners. Online UPS’ offers the best protection and are the most reliable, making them suitable for various motor applications. They are ideal for intensive care units and data centres where the settings can’t afford any transfer time. Line-interactive UPS’ are suitable for light surges and sags and they consume less power too. If you want an efficient, cost-effective and reliable UPS, the line-interactive system is the best option.

However, it’s also important to keep in view that the system you use will depend entirely on the application and setting it is to be installed in. If you want to know more about our power products and services, don’t hesitate to contact us at KaRaTec Power Supply Pty. You can give us a call at 612 9808 1127. You can also fill in this contact us form.

Thanks for reading,
Karatec Power Supply Pty
612 9808 1127