Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS)

Uninterruptible Power Supply or UPS is used in order for a fault in the mains to ensure the supply of electrical loads, provided it is for a short period. To differentiate, there is general replacement power supply (AEV) for higher requirements.

Technical Details of Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS)

Contrary to the exact wording of the description of simple versions of the Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS), the power supply is interrupted for a short period, which is tolerated by the connected loads without loss of function. Normally this period is only a few milliseconds. Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) is therefore especially used in hospitals, control centers, modern railway interlocking systems and data centers, but now also in a small office ( SOHO ) or at home. They are inserted into the current supply of backup systems or devices.

Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) consists of batteries as single-UPS lead-acid batteries (AGM) or sealed lead-acid batteries, power converters and electronic control.

Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) are manufactured in series with an output of about 300 VA to 100 kVA and more are available. The performance depends essentially on the load capacity of the converter. Another key feature of a Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) is the backup time, which depends on the capacity of the capacitors. Depending on the requirements it can be of a few seconds or hours. An Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS), whose runtime may be extended by additional batteries is available with a capacity of about 1500 VA. Nowadays rotary Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) systems are available, which attract the required electricity from kinetic energy. This is provided by a several 100 kg flywheel, which is driven by the power supply and in power failure the stored energy is released. However, the time bridging a power failure is limited. Therefore, these systems are usually delivered in conjunction with a diesel engine in order to ensure a period independent power sources. It should be noted that the Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) system bypasses the only time that the diesel engine needs to start up. This type of Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) is not suitable for households as they are bigger.

Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) in the data center

Computers in smaller data centers shut down automatically when the power fails before the backup has expired. Open files, for example and sensitive databases are closed to prevent data loss. Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) and server communicate by default for this purpose over Ethernet and SNMP  and occasionally via the interface RS-232 or via USB . Through this connection, the Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) can also be monitored, controlled and adjusted. When connected via Ethernet no special software is needed, but only a web browser required. The relevant functions are in the firmware applied to the Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS). Larger data centers have backup generators and the supply of batteries only serves the purpose of bridging the time until the generators were started and brought up to rated output.

The basic functions of a Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) usually include every 24 hours an automatic load test in which the batteries are discharged during operation with the connected load.

While using a Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) for protecting laser printers or copiers needs extreme caution. These devices consume warming up several times for their normal function. At worst, it can lead to destruction of the Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS). Well known manufacturers generally advise against the use of Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) to protect the laser printers and sometimes refuse any warranty.