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Tuesday, October 28, 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.

Ensure that you choose a UPS that has enough power supply. Peripherals attached to your computer should not demand more power than your UPS battery capacity. A good battery backup system should detect the power output and make an alert if over-voltages or power insufficiency is noted. Some devices may also require more power on start up or during heavy usage; and furthermore, you might need to invest more to get better UPS system.

The UPS run time is another feature that determines the suitability of a backup device. This is an estimation of how long a power backup device can supply power. Some low cost UPS systems may offer lesser duration of use depending on what devices are used with them. Always choose a UPS system that has a longer run time and the one that make an alert in case power goes out to prevent possible damage to the computer.Different UPS have different methods of detecting when battery backup support should be started. This is based on the point that the UPS systems are categorized based on their power tolerance levels. The most basic backup system is the standby mode type that only switches to battery after the power supply voltage drops below a certain level. This backup system is the most commonly used and is considered relatively cheaper.

Another type of UPS system is on-line interactive type that features an inbuilt transformer. The system will detect changes in power supply to ensure that your computer hardly goes to battery power unless the current supply is too low. It is not advisable to use such a UPS system during a frequently power interrupted period to avoid consecutive switching to battery power, since such a process may impact negatively on the battery capacity or lifespan.

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.

It is also necessary to consider the power output quality. Some UPS system cannot output the actual electric sine wave power. A standby mode backup system will only convert power to square wave which is of poor quality. Some devices can only work with the sine wave AC power such as wireless routers. This might damage the devices when run time decreases and device shuts down. To cater for such possible risks, you can consider buying a dual compression UPS system. Such systems are however costly but are worth trying.

It is also critical to consider the UPS power outlet or socket where you plug in devices. Some battery backup systems may have sage only outlets that offer protection only against electrical noise and surges but not outages or blowouts. A good UPS should also have cable ports, phone jacks and Ethernet that allow their protection against surges and spikes.




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