power supply
Uninterruptible power supply
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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| A small free-standing UPS | ||
An uninterruptible power supply (UPS), also known as an uninterruptible power source or a battery backup 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. There are two distinct types of UPS: off-line and line-interactive (also called on-line).
An off-line UPS remains idle until a power failure occurs, and then switches from utility power to its own power source, almost instantaneously. An on-line UPS continuously powers the protected load from its reserves (usually lead-acid batteries), while simultaneously replenishing the reserves from the AC power.
The on-line type of UPS, in addition to providing protection against complete failure of the utility supply, 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, a UPS 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. UPS 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 data centers or buildings (several megawatts). Larger UPS units typically work in conjunction with generators.
Historically, UPSs were very expensive and were most likely to be used on expensive computer systems and in areas where the power supply is interrupted frequently. However, as prices have fallen, UPS units have become an essential piece of equipment for data centers and business computers, but are also used for personal computers, entertainment systems and more.
In certain countries, where the electrical grid is under strain, providers struggle to ensure supply during times of peak demand (such as summer, during which air-conditioning usage increases). In order to prevent unplanned blackouts, electrical utilities will sometimes use a process called rolling blackouts or load shedding, which involves cutting the power to large groups of customers for short periods of time. Several major blackouts occurred in 2003, most notably the 2003 North America blackout in the north-eastern US and eastern Canada and the 2003 Italy blackout, both of which affected over 50 million people, and brought attention to the need for UPS power backup units.
A UPS should not be confused with a standby generator, which does not provide protection from a momentary power interruption and may result in an interruption when it is switched into service, whether manually or automatically. However, such generators are typically placed before the UPS to provide cover for lengthy outages. Integrated systems that have UPS and standby-generator components are often referred to as emergency power systems.
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[edit] Common power problems
There are various common power problems that UPS units are used to correct. They are as follows (with a typical example of damage that might be caused):
- Power failure - Total loss of utility power: Causes electrical equipment to stop working.
- Voltage sag - Transient (short term) under-voltage: Causes flickering of lights.
- Voltage spike - Transient (short term) over-voltage ie spike or peak: Causes wear or acute damage to electronic equipment.
- Under-voltage (brownout) - Low line voltage for an extended period of time: Causes overheating in motors.
- Over-voltage - Increased voltage for an extended period of time: Causes light bulbs to fail.
- Line noise - Distortions superimposed on the power waveform: Causes electro magnetic interference.
- Frequency variation - Deviation from the nominal frequency (50 or 60 Hz): Causes motors to increase or decrease speed.
- Switching transient - Instantaneous undervoltage (notch) in the range of nanoseconds: May cause erratic behavior in some equipment, memory loss, data error, data loss and component stress.
- Harmonic distortion - Multiples of power frequency superimposed on the power waveform: Causes excess heating in wiring and fuses.
UPS units are divided into categories based on which of the above problems their UPS units address. Some manufacturers categorize their UPS's as a level 3, 5, or 9, if it addresses the first 3, 5, or 9 power problems respectively.
