Uninterruptible power supply for your computer

UPS is a guarantee of the safety of your computer. An article about why uninterruptible power supplies are needed, what types they are and how to service them.

Given the relatively high cost of computer equipment and the low quality of electric energy in our homes uninterruptible power supply (UPS) is simply an irreplaceable thing.

Under certain circumstances, an uninterruptible power supply can not only ensure the operation of the computer in the event of a power failure, but also save it from damage. In addition, due to the built-in protection, the uninterruptible power supply saves the equipment connected to it during a thunderstorm from possible voltage surges. Currently, such products are produced by many manufacturers, but all uninterruptible power supplies according to the principle of energy conversion are divided into three main categories:

- UPS off-line type.

This is the simplest and most inexpensive type of UPS. In this case, power is supplied directly to the load through the UPS. In the event of a power failure or overstepping of the set limits (usually 196-242 V), the UPS automatically connects the load to the battery power. The disadvantage of this type of UPS in the absence of filtering and voltage stabilization, as well as increased battery wear due to frequent switching.

- Line-interactive UPS Line-interactive.

The principle of their operation is similar to an off-line UPS. However, due to the built-in autotransformer, these UPSs can carry out voltage stabilization over a fairly wide range (approximately 153-300 V, depending on the model of the UPS) without switching to batteries. Due to this, the battery life is significantly extended and the load receives better power supply. Given the small difference in price with the first type, it is these UPSs that are recommended in most cases for domestic use.

- UPS on-line type.

The essence of the work of these uninterruptible power supplies is that the alternating voltage in it is first converted to constant, and then again to alternating output. Thus, a complete purification of electricity from all interference and frequency distortions is obtained.

In addition, some uninterruptible power supplies of this type are capable of reducing the value of the current consumed by the computer from the mains by correcting the power factor.

Due to the permanently connected batteries, the load transfer time in such UPSs is minimal. This type of model is recommended for critical expensive equipment such as servers.

One of the main components of any uninterruptible power supply are batteries. As a rule, special acid-lead batteries with glue electrolyte are used in the UPS. Such an electrolyte is much safer than liquid and does not leak if the battery is mechanically damaged. The battery capacity may vary, but most of them are 12 volt batteries with a capacity of 7 A * h.

As you know, the life of any UPS battery depends on the number of charge / discharge cycles and usually in practice is 3-4 years depending on operating conditions.

Any uninterruptible power supply is able to independently diagnose the battery and in case of failure, give the appropriate sound signal. Replacing the batteries of modern uninterruptible power supplies is quite simple and anyone can handle this procedure.

In general, we can safely say that a modern uninterruptible power supply is able to reliably protect any computer equipment from poor-quality power supply and lightning impulses.Given the relatively low cost of an uninterruptible power supply compared to a computer, it must be present in every home where there is a computer.