A UPS or an Uninterruptible Power Supply is a crucial device for those who want to protect their devices and have enough time to save their work and properly shut down their system. That would be the quick (and dirty) definition. Recently, in our Discord Server, we discussed electricity power issues. Being from Greece, I know firsthand that our power network is terrible, but I wasn’t aware of how bad it is in other countries, as well. For all those who have frequent brownouts and blackouts, a UPS is their best bet. This solution might save their system and valuable time, as well. But what is a UPS, and why should someone need one?
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A UPS is a device relying to a considerable degree on batteries. These batteries feed the plugged-in devices with power when AC power is lost. There are three major UPS categories, which I will mention below.
Thanks to the Automatic Voltage Regulator (AVR) circuits that most modern UPS include, power instabilities don’t require the UPS to fall into its battery mode when they are not too extreme. Moreover, you should keep in mind that not all UPS devices are suitable for your system, especially if you have a power-hungry one. It would be best to look into the maximum power they can handle, which is usually given in VA (Volt-Ampere). I won’t explain what VA represents since you can read that on Wikipedia.
Offline (Stand-by) UPS: This type of UPS device is the most basic and affordable. It doesn’t provide the best possible protection. Its batteries are not used while the incoming power is stable and within the specified limits. When the mains power is cut, or the incoming voltage level is below or above the predefined limits, the batteries are engaged to supply power to the plugged-in devices. This takes some time, usually from 4 to 25 mS. Offline UPS devices are not the best choice for PC systems.
Line-Interactive UPS: This is the preferable type for home users. They are a bit more expensive than the offline UPS but way more affordable than the third type. Like Stand-by UPS, their batteries are engaged when no power is present or the incoming voltage exceeds the specified range. The significant advantage of this type of UPS compared to offline ones is that they include an AVR circuit, allowing them to adjust the output voltage when the incoming voltage is changed to a degree. When the incoming voltage goes way out of range, and the AVR circuit cannot correct it, the batteries take the load and save the day. Depending on the output voltage, we have the more expensive UPS devices with pure (true) sine output and the less expensive ones with stepped or simulated sine. If you want to power a strong PC, it is highly preferable to get a true sine UPS, where the PF will be higher once the inverter circuit is in operation so that it can handle more load.
Online UPS: This is considered the best type. To cut you from the technical details, an online UPS feeds the plugged-in devices from its batteries the whole time, correcting at the same time any voltage input anomalies. This is why these UPS devices offer the best protection. Still, on the other hand, they are noisy because their inverter is constantly in operation, deplete the batteries faster, and consume more than the other two UPS types. This is why online UPS devices are generally preferred for servers and business applications.
Typically the most common problem is battery longevity. They usually last from 2-5 years, depending on the usage and their quality, of course. After that, you can buy a new UPS or replace the batteries. So, you should note if the batteries can be replaced and if you can do that alone. Purchasing a UPS that doesn’t require strong technical skills to replace its batteries is always advisable. Do note that you should never replace the existing batteries with larger-capacity ones because you will apply massive stress to the UPS inverter and probably damage it. The inverter in most UPS devices is designed for specific usage periods and not notably longer ones, else will fail.
This depends heavily on the load of the devices and the specifications of the UPS, among others. The specifications are usually written on the packaging or the manual of the UPS. This is where you should pay high attention to your system’s power consumption and the UPS VA rating.
Almost all UPS devices mention VA, which in a stepped-sine output UPS you can convert to Watts by dividing the VA by 0.6 (this means that we assume a PF reading of 0.6). So, if we have a 1000 VA stepped-sine UPS, the maximum load it can handle is about 600W. On the other hand, a true-sine 1000 VA UPS with a power factor of 0.9 and above can handle 900W loads. This is why you need to pay attention to the output of your UPS and prefer the more expensive true-sine ones.
You should consider how many sockets you need and what type. UPS devices come with schuko or IEC sockets. So, if you need schuko, avoid IECs or vice versa. You can use adapters, but it is better to avoid them. You should also note which sockets provide full protection. In most UPS devices, only several sockets are connected to the battery, while the rest are only connected to the AVR circuit, so in case of a power cut, they won’t provide any power. Finally, it would be best to be extra careful when connecting power strips to a UPS, not to overload the specific socket.
Unfortunately, there aren’t many proper reviews of UPS devices. The appropriate equipment costs a lot, and you must be highly experienced to use it. Crmaris of HWBusters has made some, and these are the most trustworthy. There would have been more by the HWBusters team, but no UPS OEM provided samples for review, and the cost of these devices is high, so HWbusters cannot cover it. APC (bought by Schneider Electric) and Eaton are well-regarded manufacturers but more expensive. Their higher-priced offers are worth looking for. For more affordable but decent products, look at Powerwalker and Cyberpower.
As you see, a UPS is a good choice if you experience electricity issues in your area. Please contact us through the comment section, our Forum, or Discord Server if you want advice regarding which UPS you should buy and why. We would be happy to assist you. Stay safe, and stay in the know.
In today’s world, we rely heavily on technology to get us through each day. Whether it’s for work or personal use, we’re constantly connected to the internet, using our devices to stay connected with loved ones, complete assignments, run businesses, or even just to enjoy some entertainment. However, a power outage or surge can bring everything to a sudden halt, causing data loss, damage to devices, and a frustrating loss of productivity. This is where an APC UPS comes in handy.
APC UPS, or uninterruptible power supply, protects your devices and data from power surges, outages, and fluctuations. Acting as a backup power source for when your main power supply goes down, a UPS will switch anything connected to it to internal battery power to keep things runnings seamlessly.
In this blog, we’ll discuss the importance of having an APC UPS, the benefits it provides, and how it can help you in your day-to-day life. So whether you’re a business owner or someone who simply wants to protect their devices from power-related issues, keep reading to find out why an APC UPS is a must-have in today’s tech-driven world.
A UPS system is an electronic device that provides backup power to your devices when your main power supply fails through power stored in its batteries. This near-instantaneous protection will protect your equipment from harmful power interruptions, like surges, power fluctuations, or outages.
Schneider Electric offers many variations of their APC UPS systems to suit all scenarios, from homes to large-scale data centers. Wherever you need power protection, APC will have a solution for you.
An APC UPS acts as a kind of insurance for your IT equipment. Not only is it an added layer of protection for your actual devices, but it also acts as protection against downtime and the loss of productivity and data that comes with that.
Home users
At home, the electronic devices you rely on every day are usually for communication, security, entertainment, work, or education. With remote working and learning becoming increasingly more popular, the stakes for at home protection are steadily growing. An APC UPS can protect the following devices, allowing you to stay safe, connected, and productive:
Businesses
Whilst power outages are frustrating for those at home, they can be financially crippling for a business. Power outages can cost a company thousands of pounds and can damage their reputation. Here are some scenarios where power problems can negatively impact any business:
Here’s a peek into some of the most popular UPS ranges available at Comms Express. For additional information, check out our APC UPS range!
Perfect for home users:
Protect your wireless networks, computers, gaming consoles, and other electronics with guaranteed power and surge protection using an APC Back-UPS. This range of UPS supplies backup during outages and unsafe fluctuations, as well as protects your equipment against damaging surges and spikes. Available in both tower or floor styles, these flexible UPS systems are ideal for both home and workplace, being adaptable to different situations.
Benefits:
Buy APC Back-UPS
You will get efficient and thoughtful service from ZHONGKANG.
An upgrade to the Back-UPS model, the Back-UPS Pro provides you with guaranteed power protection for high-performance computer systems, routers/modems, external storage devices, game consoles, and other electronic devices. They will keep your equipment running during power problems by providing an abundance of battery backup, stabilizing unsafe equipment, and providing protection against surges and spikes.
Benefits:
Buy APC Back-UPS Pro
Perfect for homes or small offices, the Easy UP is a versatile UPS that will provide you with the essential power protection you need, no matter how unstable the power conditions.
Benefits:
Buy APC Easy UPS
Perfect for businesses:
Unlike traditional UPS systems, the Smart UPS will seamlessly integrate with your network. Enjoy better visibility into the health and performance of your UPS and real time battery status updates with a UPS that includes higher accessibility, enhanced performance and increased reliability.
Benefits:
Buy APC Smart UPS
Protect your servers, voice / data networks, medical labs, and light industrial applications with the high density, true double-conversion on-line power protection that comes with a Smart-UPS On-Line system! When your business requires a runtime of hours and not minutes, a Smart-UPS On-line is your best solution. All models 5kVa and above include a Network Management Card to allow you to manage your system from anywhere.
Benefits:
Buy APC Smart UPS Online SRT
Buy APC Smart UPS Online SURT
Buy APC Smart UPS Online SRT Marine
Buy APC Smart UPS Online SRT Lithium-Ion
This is just a brief look at APC, if you require APC equipment for your business, you can check our Schneider Electric microsite for a wide range of APC products to suit your needs.
If you require any further information on these or any other products that we stock here at Comms Express, please do not hesitate to contact our team who will be only too happy to help.
Until next time…
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