Everyone has heard of UPS at least once or twice in their life. It is a device that could be found in most homes, attached to computer systems, but now, with advancements in technology and people preferring laptops over computer systems due to their portability, UPS has become a device that is limited to offices and other places where battery backup is required for electrical devices. Have you ever wondered how exactly this small block-like device work? If you have, then this article has the answer for you.

When is it needed?

An uninterruptible power supply (UPS) is a device that provides battery backup to other devices, typically computer systems and servers when the supply of electricity drops or drops to a voltage level that is too low for devices to work. It is required when problems like voltage spikes, voltage sags, frequency differences, etc. occur and disturb the power supply of your device. In situations like these, the UPS performs functions like supplying the electrical devices with the appropriate voltage level or providing an alternate source of power through the use of a battery.

When the power supply fails, UPS provides battery backup with little to no transfer time i.e. without any interruption in the supply of power to the device. The size of the UPS determines how long it will provide the said backup.

The Three Categories of UPS

1.   Standby (Offline)

This type of UPS is the most prevalent and is typically found in both homes and workplaces of small businesses. It carries out the fundamental task of supplying battery backup power in the event of a power supply failure, voltage sag, or voltage surge. The UPS switches to DC battery power and then inverts it to AC power to run connected equipment in order to maintain the voltage at safe levels in the case of fluctuations.

2.   Line Interactive

When power is lost, this UPS keeps the inverter connected and switches the battery’s DC current path from its usual charging mode to supplying current. It has technology that enables minor power fluctuations (under- and overvoltages) to be corrected without switching to battery power.

3.   Double Conversion (Online)

In order to power the protected equipment, this UPS, as its name implies, employs a “double conversion” technique that involves accepting AC input, rectifying to DC for passage through the rechargeable battery (or battery strings), and then inverting back to AC. Regardless of the state of the incoming power, it delivers reliable, clean, and nearly perfect power. This technology enables UPS systems to run exclusively on isolated DC power, resulting in a zero transfer time since there is never a need to switch to DC power.

The Bottom Line

This is how the above-mentioned three types of UPS work. Standby UPS is a good option for basic electronic devices like entry-level computers, security systems, and others. Network equipment, entry-to-midrange servers, home theatre electronics, and gaming systems are better suited to Line Interactive UPS than Double Conversion UPS, which is better for mission-critical IT equipment, data centre installations, high-end servers, massive telecom installations, and advanced network hardware. If you wish to get a UPS for your electronic devices, you can buy backup UPS at Eaton Industries.