What is an uninterruptible power supply?
on365 are an APC Gold Certified Partner, APC Rack & Stack Partner and APC Service Partner. APC is a manufacturer of a broad range of commercial uninterruptible power supplies, including standby, line interactive and online technologies.
An uninterruptible power supply (UPS) 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. An uninterruptible power supply differs from an auxiliary power supply or standby generator, which does not provide instant protection from a momentary power interruption. Integrated systems that have an uninterruptible power supply and standby generator components are often referred to as emergency power systems.
There are three distinct types of uninterruptible power supply: off-line, line-interactive and double conversion (also called on-line). An off-line uninterruptible power supply remains idle until a power failure occurs, and then switches from utility power to its own power source, almost instantaneously. An on-line uninterruptible power supply continuously powers the protected load from its reserves (usually lead-acid batteries or stored kinetic energy), while simultaneously replenishing the reserves from the AC power. The uninterruptible power supply also provides protection against all common power problems, and for this reason it is also known as a power conditioner and a line conditioner.
While not limited to safeguarding any particular type of equipment, an uninterruptible power supply is typically used to protect computers, telecommunication equipment or other electrical equipment where an unexpected power disruption could cause injuries, fatalities, serious business disruption or data loss. Uninterruptible power supply units come in sizes ranging from units which will back up a single computer without monitor (around 200 VA) to units which will power entire server rooms, data centres or buildings (several megawatts).