Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS)
A UPS is an electrical apparatus or device that supplies emergency backup power to PC’s, servers, network equipment, audio-video equipment and computer peripherals during short power outages and allows computer systems to safely shut down during prolonged blackouts. UPS systems also correct brown-outs and over voltages, stop damaging power surges and filters disruptive line noise.
The primary role of a UPS is to provide short term power when the input power source fails. A UPS provides instantaneous or nearly instantaneous protection from input power interruptions. When a UPS circuit senses a loss of power, it produces electricity by means of one or two attached batteries
within a few thousandths of a second.
The runtime of most uninterruptible power sources is relatively short yet sufficient enough to allow time to bring an auxiliary power source on line. A UPS is typically used to protect computers, data centers, telecommunication equipment and other electrical equipment where an unexpected power disruption could cause injuries, fatalities, serious business disruption or data loss.
In addition to providing an Uninterrupted Power Supply
UPS units are capable of correcting even the most common utility
power problems such as:
- Power Failure- Complete and total loss of input voltage
- Surge-A momentary or sustained reduction in main voltage
- Sag-A momentary or sustained reduction in main voltage
- Spike- A brief high voltage excursion
- Frequency Inability- High frequency transient or oscillation, usually injected into the line by nearby equipment
- Harmonic Distortion- Departure from the ideal sinusoidal waveform expected on the line.
A UPS can provide comprehensive protection against all power problems.
There are three general categories used to define a modern UPS system:
Off line/Standby
An offline or standby UPS provides basic features such as surge protection and battery backup. This protected equipment is usually connected directly to the incoming utility power. This type of UPS is designed for use with certain equipment like personal computers without any objectionable dip or brownout to that device.
In a standby UPS, power is fed through surge and noise suppression circuitry and on to your equipment. Meanwhile, a battery charger keeps an internal battery ready for use. During a blackout, brownout or over-voltage, an inverter converts battery power into a simulated sine wave output. When power returns, the UPS switches back to the AC power and the battery is recharged. Sensing of a low voltage situation and switching to battery power happens very quickly so that your equipment can continue to operate flawlessly.
Line-Interactive
The Line-Interactive UPS is similar in operation to a standby UPS with the added functionality of a multi-tap variable voltage autotransformer. This special transformer is used to add or subtract coils of wire, thereby increasing or decreasing the magnetic fields and the outage voltage of the transformer.
In a line-interactive UPS, the built in line conditioning circuitry regulates high or low voltages back to normal levels and send clean power to your equipment without using battery power. A battery charger keeps an internal battery ready. During a blackout an inverter switches off and converts battery power into a simulated sine wave output. When power returns the inverter switches off and the battery is recharged. Because the switch happens within a few milliseconds your power supply is unaffected.
Double-Conversion/Online
The Online UPS is ideal for environments where electrical isolation is necessary or for equipment that is very sensitive to power fluctuations. The initial cost of the online UPS is typically higher than other types of UPS units, but its total cost of ownership is generally lower due to longer battery life. The online UPS may be used in a power environment that is “noisy”, when utility power sags, outages and other anomalies are frequent, when protection of sensitive IT equipment loads is required or when operation from an extended-run backup generator is necessary.
This is the highest level of battery backup protection available. Power is first broken down and then perfectly reconstructed by the inverter which is “on-line” 100 percent of the time. There is absolutely no transfer switching time. This process completely eliminates incoming surge and line noise, adjusts high or low voltages, and produces perfect sine wave power.
GPS Has a Solution For You
Typical run-time for a UPS depends on the type and size of batteries, rate of discharge, and the efficiency of the inverter. Manufacturers will supply run-time in minutes for packaged UPS systems. Larger systems (such as for data centers) require detailed calculation of the load, inverter efficiency, and battery characteristics to ensure the required endurance is attained.
Whether it’s planned power for a large scale project or an emergency power outage resolution, UPS solutions from GPS provide efficient, reliable, and cost-effective power to a wide range of industries. From our self-contained mobile solutions to smaller applications, Global Power Supply has the solutions to solve your temporary power needs.
UPS Rentals
GPS offers UPS and backup power to protect large data centers,
as well as facility-wide protection for sensitive electronics.
Redundant configurations and dual bus capabilities ensure
continuous operation for critical systems.
