Uninterruptible Power Supply
Overview
A power surge is said to occur when an alarming higher voltage enters the system. A device known as uninterruptible power supply (UPS) absorbs the extra voltage of these surges. A power surge can
- result in data losses
- result in productivity losses
- damage hardware such as hard drives and the server
- affect the installation of software in a computer system
- can affect the operation of the motherboard and the power supplies.
If the hardware is damaged, then the software would have to be re-installed. This would in turn result in extension of the downtime. Also, there would be “conflict” regarding the software configurations and settings. The UPS proactively acts against this and prevents huge losses to any business. Compared to the cost of downtime, the cost of UPS is very small.
Leaning Outcomes
By the time you complete this lesson, you should be able to:
- describe what the UPS is used for
- state the benefits of using the UPS
- sketch a diagram showing how a UPS is connected to a computer system
- state the disadvantages of a UPS
Functions of the UPS
The primary function of an uninterruptible power supply is to ensure that power is supplied to an electrical device even in event of blackouts.
It is basically an AC power supply which provides AC power the moment the utility power falls below an indicated level. UPS uses batteries for its power. It also helps to maintain a constant voltage to an electrical device. So, even if there is an unexpected fall in the current flowing to the electrical device, the UPS maintains the proper voltage. The UPS displays the voltage of the electrical device.
Advantages of UPS
Advantages to using uninterruptible power supplies include:
- no delay between switching from the primary power source to the UPS.
- can better support critical instruments compared to generators.
- consumers can choose the type and size of UPS, depending on the amount of power they need to supply to a device.
- UPSs are silent as compared to noisy generators.
- maintenance of UPS systems is cheap compared to generators.
Disadvantages of UPS
Disadvantages to using uninterruptable power supplies include:
- The inability to run heavy appliances.
- If substandard batteries are used, users may end up replacing the batteries often.
- UPSs may need professional installations.
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