Computer UPS: Perfect solution for extending the lifespan of your system

Computers are prone to failure. When your computer has an unforeseen power outage, it shuts down incorrectly, causing the hard drive, a vital rotating component where data is stored, to be damaged. It is possible that your system cannot identify your hard disc anymore or that your hard drive is not spinning properly. If this happens, it could result in anything from a brief outage to data loss or even internal hardware problems. The recovery of lost data is frequently impossible, resulting in a waste of time, energy, and money.

A power source that is too low or too high can also cause issues. Overheating can occur with high voltage, which is never good for mechanical systems. Low voltage can make it difficult for your computer to perform at its best.

Another major difficulty affecting computers is the availability of clean power. If you live in an older building or in a certain area, the power flowing from your wall outlet could not be termed "clean." The voltage and frequency of clean power are just right. Unclean power makes your computer work harder, resulting in inefficiencies and component damage.

What is UPS (Uninterruptible power supply)?

This is basically a backup power system that provides electricity long enough for the system to shut down appropriately when utility power fails. It helps to avoid data loss and reduces the risk of hardware damage caused by power disruptions or unclean electricity. In general, a computer UPS for laptops or any other system performs three major functions:

• Provide battery backup during power outages,
• Regulate varying voltages, and
• Protect the system from surges and line noise

What are the essential components of a computer UPS?

A rectifier/charger block, a UPS battery, an inverter, and a static switch are the four major components of a UPS for desktop or UPS for PC.

• Rectifier/Charger block:

The main function of this unit is to convert AC (Alternating Current) power from the mains to DC (Direct Current) electricity that is needed to charge the UPS battery. The charger then directs the electricity supply to the battery to maintain the charge, while the rectifier delivers a stable DC current to the inverter directly through the DC Bus.

The charger stops down during power outages or fluctuations (usually outside +10% to -20% of normal), and the UPS battery supplies DC power to the inverter instead. The rectifier is present only in double-conversion UPS designs. Standby and line-interactive UPSs, on the other hand, send utility power to the load. They will have a battery charger, which will keep the batteries charged in the event of a power outage.

• Battery:

This is the core element of any UPS that ensures enough backup time to protect the data and the system by supplying the electricity as needed. Valve Regulated Lead Acid (VRLA), Flooded Wet Cell (also known as VLA), and Lithium-Ion are the most prominent UPS battery types.

VRLA has long been the most preferred UPS battery type as it is easily available and comparatively inexpensive. In an appropriate environment with good maintenance, a VRLA UPS battery can last for about 3 to 7 years. Compared to VRLA batteries, VLA batteries promise a longer lifespan, for about 20 years, but they are obviously more expensive and demand high maintenance.

Meticulously designed using lithium-ion battery technology, the Lithium UPS batteries are currently the most trending in the market. Besides being lightweight and smaller in size when compared to other counterparts, Lithium batteries do not require ventilation and at the same time guarantee increased uptime, reliability, and longer shelf life. A computer UPS battery price varies depending on these battery types.

• Inverter:

This component converts DC power from batteries (or the rectifier) into AC power for application use. During normal operation, the rectifier and inverter in double-conversion UPS designs work together to convert AC to DC and DC to AC (i.e., double-conversion), protecting IT loads from power fluctuations.

The inverter is turned on immediately after utility power goes out in standby and line-interactive UPS designs to transfer battery power to the load. The disadvantage of these systems is the transfer time to batteries, which means the UPS needs time (milliseconds) to transition from normal operation to inverter/batteries.

• Static bypass switch:

This allows utility AC current to bypass UPS components and flow directly through the UPS to the system. Double conversion UPS systems have static bypass switches. When a UPS requires extensive preventative maintenance, regular functioning is suspended, and the UPS is switched into bypass (maintenance) mode by a professional. The load is vulnerable to a utility outage in this state.

General types of modern UPS systems:

A computer UPS is typically divided into three categories based on its topologies: Offline, Online, and Line-interactive.

• Offline or standby UPS:

Here, the load is powered directly from the mains instead of using the inverter output, and the backup power circuitry is only activated when the utility power fails. The majority of UPSs under 1kVA are either offline or line-interactive, which are typically less expensive.

• Online UPS:

These systems use a double-conversion technique of receiving AC input, rectifying to DC for passing through the rechargeable battery, and then inverting back to 120V/240V AC for powering the connected equipment.

• Line-interactive UPS:

When power is lost, this system keeps the inverter in line and changes the battery's DC current channel from charging mode to current supply mode.

In fact, there are a number of frequent power concerns that might arise in day-to-day operations. The table below shows if the above-mentioned UPS system will protect you from the aforementioned irregularities:

Power anomalies	Offline	Online	Line-interactive
Power failure	Yes	Yes	Yes
Power sag	Yes	Yes	Yes
Power surge	Yes	Yes	Yes
Low voltage	-	Yes	Yes
High voltage	-	Yes	Yes
Electrical line noise	-	-	Yes
Frequency variation	-	-	Yes
Switching transition	-	-	Yes
Harmonic disturbances	-	-	Yes

Offline vs Online vs Line-interactive UPS: Which one to choose?

The table below compares the three types and summarises a few main differences:

Parameters	Offline	Online	Line-interactive
Size	Compact	Small and lightweight	Generally large and heavy
Power range (kVA)	0 to 0.5	5 to 5000	0.5 to 5
Cost per VA	Low	Medium	Medium
Efficiency	95 to 98%	80 to 90%	90 to 96%
Voltage conditioning	Low	High	Depends on the design
Price	Low	High	Medium
Uses	Homes, small offices	Telecoms, Communications; Banking, Industries	Small and medium scale businesses

Conclusion:

Before buying, you should be mindful of the UPS type and its attributes. Also, it is important to buy this essential equipment from trusted sources like Moglix, where the computer UPS prices are economical, and the products are of high quality. This is one of the leading, reliable, and highly preferred online marketplaces for buying industrial or commercial, or household essentials from branded companies. For purchasing the best UPS for computers, visit today.

Computer UPS: FAQs

Q. What is the UPS in a computer?

A. A UPS is a device that keeps computer systems safe and operable during power outages and breakdowns. When the flow of electricity dips to an inadequate voltage or ceases, the UPS provides battery power backup.

Q. Why do we use UPS?

A. UPS uses a specialized battery to protect important equipment from utility-supplied electricity problems such as a sudden increase in power supply, fluctuations, breakdown, and power outages.

Q. Which is better: AVR or UPS?

A. The AVR's primary function is to compensate for power fluctuations that occur on a regular basis. The UPS is typically utilized when the power is either entirely off or when there is extremely low voltage from the mains.

Q. Can ups act as stabilizers?

A. This UPS has AVR (Automatic Voltage Regulation), which means it protects against voltage fluctuations. Because it stabilizes output voltage, it may also be used as a stabilizer. During a power outage, this UPS will continue to provide reliable power to the connected system and will let you safely shut down your laptop or PC.