Back to: UPS Basics
A UPS is a backup power solution that provides temporary electrical power when the primary power source fails or experiences fluctuations. It acts as a bridge between the primary power source (such as the electrical grid or a generator) and the devices it powers, offering protection against power surges, sags, and complete blackouts. The purpose of a UPS is to ensure an uninterrupted power supply, giving users enough time to save their work, safely shut down equipment, or switch to an alternative power source without data loss or damage to hardware.
It is a very common mistake for designers to use a UPS as a secondary source of energy supply. This means the UPS is in place to deliver power for a prolonged period, not just a buffer to ride through power fluctuations and transitions between sources. Using a UPS as a secondary power supply is categorically not recommended.
Although using a UPS as a secondary source of power is technically feasible, the considerations are arduous are beyond the scope of this course and will require significant increases to the cost of the UPS installation. Some of the considerations when using a UPS as a secondary power source is discussed in BS 8519:2020 Appendix A, which effectively removes the option of using UPS as an economic secondary source of power.
UPS systems do however offer numerous benefits across various applications when designed and installed correctly. UPS play a vital role in ensuring the uninterrupted operation of servers, data centres, and other critical infrastructure. Preventing costly downtime and data loss is the primary use case for UPS, with “downtime” applying to many applications (such as medical and life safety), not just data.
While in double conversion mode, UPS devices also produce a clean output power waveform without power fluctuations, reducing the risk of hardware damage and extending the lifespan of electronic equipment.
These benefits do not come as a simple fix, however. Designing and installing a UPS correctly to ensure the benefits outweigh the costs and that the system works for the long term is more complex than many realise.
Summary
In a world heavily reliant on technology, understanding the importance of Uninterruptible Power Supplies is crucial. Whether you want to protect your personal devices; ensure business continuity; or protect lives a UPS is an important investment but must be approached with caution and consideration for the many failure modes.
The following lessons in this course will deep dive into the many technical considerations when selecting a UPS to integrate into system design.
