Home | Computers | Hardware

Uninterruptible power supply(UPS)

By: Robin Jackson

UPS (Uninterruptible power supply)

An uninterruptible power supply (UPS), also known as a continuous power supply (CPS) or a battery backup is a device which maintains a continuous supply of electric power to connected equipment by supplying power from a separate source when utility power is not available. It differs from an auxiliary power supply or standby generator, which does not provide instant protection from a momentary power interruption, however could be used to provide uninterrupted power to equipment for 1 - 20 minutes until a generator can be turned on. Integrated systems that have UPS and standby generator components are often referred to as emergency power systems.

Types of UPS
There are three distinct UPS types:
Off-line: remains idle until a power failure occurs, and then switches from utility power to its own power source, almost instantaneously.
Line Interactive: A line-interactive UPS maintains the inverter in line and redirecting the battery's DC current path from the normal charging mode to supplying current when power is lost
On-line: continuously powers the protected load from its energy reserves stored in a lead-acid battery or flywheel, while simultaneously replenishing the reserves from the AC power. It also provides protection against all common power problems, and for this reason it is also known as a power conditioner and a line conditioner.

Applications
The basic technology of UPS hardware can have many forms when applied for different purposes. Any of the technologies may be recombined as redundant systems or designed for special needs.
There are various common power problems that UPS units are used to correct. They are as follows (with a typical example of damage that might be caused):
1. Power failure — Total loss of utility power, with possibility of severe transient conditions upon failure and/or restoration: Causes electrical equipment to stop working (transients may cause permanent damage).
2. Voltage sag — Transient (short term) under-voltage: Causes flickering of lights.
3. Voltage spike — Transient (short term) over-voltage i.e. spike or peak: Causes wear or acute damage to electronic equipment.
4. Under-voltage (brownout) — Low line voltage for an extended period of time: Causes overheating in motors.
5. Over-voltage — Increased voltage for an extended period of time: Causes light bulbs to fail.
6. Line noise — Distortions superimposed on the power waveform: Causes electro magnetic interference.
7. Frequency variation — Deviation from the nominal frequency (50 or 60 Hz): Causes motors to increase or decrease speed and line-driven clocks and timing devices to gain or lose time.
8. Switching transient — Instantaneous under voltage (notch) in the range of milliseconds to seconds: May cause erratic behavior in some equipment, memory loss, data error, data loss and component stress.
9. Harmonic distortion — Multiples of power frequency superimposed on the power waveform: Causes excess heating in wiring and fuses.
UPS units are divided into categories based on which of the above problems they address. Manufacturers categorize their products in accordance with the number of power related problems they address.

Article Source: Main Articles

For more information visit our website www.cables4computer.com/Power-Products/UPS.html

This article may be reproduced wholly or in part without written permission provided the byline, resource area, and any hyperlinks remain in order to give proper credit to the author.

Internet search engines and directory listings are imperative to your sites existence and success. Submit Your Website to the Searchen Networks directory and search engine to achieve authoritive inbound links.

Please Rate this Article

Click the XML Icon Above to Receive Hardware Articles Via RSS!

Additional Articles From - Home | Computers | Hardware

Perfect Heating System for Your Home – Know How? - By : Eddie Gulero
Gadgetiering Life is the 21st Century Lifestyle Mantra! - By : jam
The Bulletproof Network - By : BillDodds
Save Money and Hire Commercial Window Cleaners - By : Jessica Thomson
Zero Ink Printing - By : Amy Price
To Buy or Not to Buy a Continuous Ink System - By : DanPartridge
The high quality Xerox 7300 toner. - By : Ron Mark
Choose the Xerox 7300 toner for the best results. - By : Ron Mark
Ways to Keep Your Computer Running? - By : Charles Garnett
What one should need to know about Remanufactured Cartridges? - By : Absolute01 Toner01

	Print This Article
	Post Comment
	Add To Favorites
	Email to Friends
	Ezine Ready

	Submit Articles
	Member Login
	Top Authors
	Most Popular Articles
	Submission Guidelines
	Ezine Notifications
	Article RSS Feeds

	New Stuff
	About Us
	Link to Us
	Contact Us
	Privacy Policy
	Terms of Service

:: Top Author Businesses:

Try your luck, Play BlackJack

:: Our Supporters: