What is a UPS system?
A UPS system protects your hardware from power outages and fluctuating voltages. Should the power fail, your devices will be powered by the system’s batteries to ensure you can carry on working with the UPS capacity determining how long it can deliver power.
No matter if you’re looking for a solution for data centres, server rooms, offices, industrial settings or healthcare, UPS systems offer multiple benefits including:
- Data loss prevention
- Protection against hardware failures
- Increased productivity
- Lower operating costs
How does a UPS work?
There are three phases to UPS system operations.
- Normal operations: Connected devices are powered from the mains while the UPS battery is charged using a rectifier (AC to DC).
- Power failures: The UPS automatically detects when the power fails and switches to the battery within milliseconds, converting the battery’s DC power back to AC.
- Mains restored: As soon as the power comes back on again, the connected devices are once again powered from the mains and the UPS battery is recharged.
Equipped with on/off switches, LEDs and management software, UPS systems are a breeze to use. You should, however, always get a qualified technician to install the system, e.g. to make sure input and output voltages are aligned to avoid overvoltage and boost safety.
And while you should always get an expert to carry out maintenance, there’s nothing to stop regular users from giving the surfaces a quick dust now and again.
What kind of UPS systems are there?
While all systems are designed to do the same thing, there are some differences in how they achieve that, which affects where they are best implemented.
Offline
Offline UPS system are the simplest and most cost-effective option. During normal operations, the connected devices are powered directly from the mains, but as soon as there is an outage, the UPS kicks in within milliseconds to provide battery power.
These systems are cost effective and easy to install and offer maximum runtimes. Although the protection they afford is lower than other types of systems, they are ideal for use in home offices and for single electronic devices.
Line-interactive
Compared to offline models, line-interactive UPS systems offer much greater levels of protection. Many come with an Automatic Voltage Regulator (AVR) built in that maintains a constant voltage level to protect connected devices from over and under-voltage. During a power outage, the UPS battery ensures a continuous flow of power.
Line-interactive systems are a great choice for servers as well as network devices, PoS systems and industrial plants.
Online
Online UPS systems offer the highest levels of protection and performance, supplying connected devices with continuous battery power to prevent issues caused by power fluctuations and failures. These systems are also known as double conversion or Voltage and Frequency Independent (VFI) with mains current continuously converted into direct current and then into pure sine wave voltage.
This type of UPS is the number one choice where the highest possible availability and power supply reliability are required such as in healthcare, financial and research institutions.
UPS for computers and more.
To benefit from optimum performance and the best possible protection, you should carefully consider the components you are going to use with your UPS.
A power distribution unit (PDU) makes sure that power is equally distributed between the connected devices and may also come with extra features like a built-in monitoring system, remote control and alarm systems. Automatic transfer switches (ATS) automatically switch between two types of power supply, which can be connected to the devices and allow the seamless transition between mains and battery power. As a UPS system isn’t designed to provide long-term power, UPS management software is another option to consider. It can be configured to your individual needs, alert you when there are problems and make sure hardware is shut down correctly.
Buying a UPS from Bechtle.
Invest in security and reliability with a UPS system from Bechtle and protect your valuable data from unexpected power outages and fluctuations. Our extensive range includes systems from manufacturers such as APC by Schneider Electric, Eaton Electric and many more to give you the best solution for your needs.
