Points to consider while buying Home UPS

We are continually dependent on home electrical appliances like lights, fans, ACs, washing machines, computers, and so on. Frequent power cuts, however, cause major inconvenience as they stall the functioning of these machines and hamper our workflow. Hence, power backup becomes essential in such scenarios to ensure the smooth running of the household at all times. 

Since power cuts are still not uncommon in most places in India, more and more people are opting to invest in a home UPS to ensure the smooth functioning of necessary devices even during power outages. 

If you too are looking to buy a UPS, choosing the right UPS may prove challenging, especially if you are a first-time buyer. Here are things you should consider when deciding how to select UPS for your home.

What are the different types of UPS? 

The first thing you need to reflect on when considering which UPS is best for your home is the type of UPS you would need. There are three main types of UPS, which are as follows —

Standby UPS 

Also known as offline UPS or battery backup, this UPS can effectively take care of 90% of short-duration power cuts. When there is a failure of input current, the inbuilt battery and inverter of the UPS become activated and provide power to the output via a transfer switch. The entire process entails just 6-8 milliseconds of power breakage between a power outage and battery backup. This type of UPS is most suitable for machines under 1500VA such as personal computers, gaming consoles, workstations, etc.

This is a cost-effective option but it is better to go for a standby UPS with a wider power range as it ensures the longevity of battery life.

Line-interactive UPS 

These UPS systems have the benefits of both battery backup and power conditioning. These are best suited for areas with fewer power cuts but frequent voltage fluctuations. The inverter always remains on in this type of UPS and can charge the battery when power is normal. In case of an outage, it switches to battery power. As the inverter always remains on and joined with the output, this kind of UPS allows extra filtering and entails lesser switching transients as compared to the standby UPS. These are best for machines requiring less than 5000VA.

It is better to go for a line-interactive UPS that accepts a wide range of input voltage as it ensures better protection.

On-Line UPS 

Also known as a double conversion, this technology involves the conversion of input power to direct current (DC) and then re-conversion to AC. This technology guarantees greater isolation of the load from the anomalies of the main power supply. This type of UPS protects against power surges in several ways and the quality of the power produced by an On-Line UPS outstrips the other two kinds.  

Read Also: How to Pick the Right Ups for Your Desktop Computer

Analyze the usage of the UPS 

Before you buy a UPS, you need to consider the number of devices that you want to use it for to know the total power backup you will require. It is best to go for a UPS with at least 25% more power capacity than the total power backup requirement you have calculated. Opt for a UPS that also comes with a system to alert you when the maximum load is reached.

Regular maintenance is a must

Investing in a UPS entails certain regular preventive and corrective maintenance measures. Preventive maintenance entails running periodic checks on the system to ensure it is not damaged or prevent failure during a power outage. You have to maintain an inspection checklist and create a maintenance schedule to ascertain the effective running of the UPS. 

Corrective maintenance measures include fixing the system in case of failure or anomalous behaviour. You need to keep ready a list of technicians who would be available to run these checks or fix the system if necessary.

What is the difference between a home UPS and an inverter? 

You need to understand the difference between UPS and an inverter before buying a UPS. One major difference is the time required by them to supply power to the connected device in the event of a power cut.  While a UPS will generally take between 3-8 milliseconds to switch, an inverter may require 25 to 500 milliseconds. This is why sensitive machines like computers are better paired with UPS than an inverter.

Another difference is that a UPS will protect devices against power voltage fluctuations while an inverter is not designed to do so.  

The best UPS for your home  

Now that you know the basics of how to select UPS for your home, study a few trusted brands to finalize your choice. Schneider Electric, India is one of the most reputed brands in the market for home UPS. The store offers the latest UPS models with robust durability at very competitive prices.