Power cuts can be a real nuisance when you are working from home. Especially now, when we are under an extended lockdown caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. A power cut not only interrupts your workflow, delaying deadlines and important meetings but also extends your working hours. Sudden loss of power can also result in the loss of critical data and even hardware failure. A UPS provides uninterrupted power for your computers and smart devices during load shedding.
UPS stands for ‘uninterruptable power supply’. The device provides power when the mains power is not available. It’s different from a generator in function, which needs to be turned on after a power failure. UPS supplies near-instantaneous power when the mains power fails. The power is stored in batteries, and the energy supply is typically short. However, it gives you enough time to switch on your generator. Or alternately conclude important work and shut down equipment properly.
There are several things to consider when buying a UPS. It’s essential to find the right UPS device that meets your business or personal use case. To guide you through the process, today, we are sharing a UPS buying guide.
How big a UPS will you need?
To ensure that the UPS works as intended, you need to identify its capacity. It must be large enough to support all the equipment plugged into it. UPS capacity is measured in watts. To measure the capacity, you need to calculate the load.
Make a list of equipment with total watts each piece requires to run properly. Add the number, and you will have the required UPS capacity.
Number of power outlets
A UPS supports multiple devices through power outlets. Count the number of power cords you want to connect to the UPS. Ideally, the UPS you buy should have the requisite number of outlets.
Required UPS runtime
As mentioned above, the power supplied by a UPS is meant for short-term use. So, the next step is to identify the runtime. It’s the number of minutes a UPS system can supply power to the connected devices after a power cut. The minimum time is the time needed for saving your work and shutting down your equipment.
Runtime depends on the overall load and wattage of your unit. The smaller the wattage load, the longer your UPS batteries will last and vice versa.
Sine Wave vs Simulated Sine Wave
The grid supplies power in the form of sine wave alternating current. In normal mode, the UPS passes the same electrical sine wave to your devices. But, when the UPS switches to battery mode after a power cut, the power can either be a sine wave or simulated sine wave.
A simulated sine wave has a power gap at each cycle. In sensitive electronic devices, this gap can cause stress in the power supply, harming them. On the other hand, sine wave UPS systems supply power in the same waveform as the grid.
Buy a sine wave UPS if you own computers and equipment that are Energy Star® rated or use Active PFC power supplies.
The form factor of your UPS
The form factor of a UPS indicates the shape and size of its housing. The three most common types are:
- Desktop or compact
- Tower or mini tower
- Rackmount
Selecting a form factor depends on your use case and the space you have for placing the UPS system. Desktop UPS systems can conveniently sit under your desk while tower UPS systems need little more space. Rackmount UPS systems are generally used in server rooms.
So, that concludes our UPS buying guide. We hope it will help you select the right UPS for your needs and streamline your workflow.
Visit our online shop to check out Schneider Electric’s APC UPS systems.
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