The stability of computers and many othersdevices, both household and those used in production, depend on whether the supply from the power supply network to which the devices are connected is uninterrupted. In the event that electricity is supplied with faults, a situation may arise in which a UPS cannot be dispensed with. What is the purpose of these devices? Based on what criteria should you choose uninterruptible power supplies for PCs and other types of equipment?
Before considering how to choose a UPS,It is useful to determine whether, in principle, it makes sense to acquire an uninterruptible power supply. So, if we are talking about the need only to stabilize the voltage in the network, then this can be used by other, more affordable devices - for example, special network filters.
But if there is a need to provideIf the device is functioning during power outages, then the UPS can no longer be used. Of course, if the device has a reliable built-in battery - the need for an uninterruptible power supply and in this case may be absent.
UPS procurement is a significant item of expenditure on largeenterprises. In this case, managers can face a variety of issues: how to choose the optimal uninterruptible power supply, which battery to choose for the UPS for a computer, an industrial device, a heating infrastructure element.
In accordance with the approach common in the professional environment, UPSs are classified into the following main types:
- backup;
- linear-interactive;
- UPS class online.
Consider their features in more detail.
Redundant UPS systems are designed for primary use.Thus, in cases where a device that is powered by a power outlet must be maintained in a functional state with regular power outages. This UPS is enough, in particular, to ensure the operation of the computer - for example, if necessary, while there is no electricity, save the file or complete the game. Many experts advise users who are thinking about how to choose a UPS, pay attention to the peculiarity of many models of devices of the appropriate type: they have no stabilizing elements. This means that when the computer goes to backup power, there is a small interruption in the supply of electricity.
Line-interactive UPSs are characterized by highresistance to voltage drops. To which, in turn, backup devices are sensitive. Line-interactive devices have a number of features, they should also be considered when considering the question of how to choose a UPS. Thus, these devices can generate network interference that falls into the public network. In addition, devices of the corresponding type are characterized by a rather high noise level, which makes it difficult to place them in residential premises. But, anyway, their main advantage - resistance to voltage drops, makes the corresponding UPS demand.
According to experts, online-type UPS arethe highest resistance to power surges. In addition, they do not create network interference. Thus, they have no flaws that characterize other types of UPS, discussed above. However, the corresponding devices are significantly more expensive. In addition, it should be borne in mind that in some cases they are inferior to backup and line-interactive energy efficiency.
There are other classification criteria.considered devices. In many cases, the question of how to choose a UPS should be considered in the context, first of all, of the equipment for which the corresponding device is being purchased. Thus, the characteristics of the UPS, adapted for PC, may differ significantly from those that have a device designed, for example, to connect to a gas boiler. The fact is that this device is designed to ensure the functioning of the relevant equipment as a complex infrastructure component of the heating system.
Therefore, the UPS gas boilers to choose based on thisFeatures may not be easy: in particular, a detailed study of the device’s power indicators and their compatibility with specific types of technological infrastructure will be required.
Thus, power is one of the keycriteria for selecting an uninterruptible power supply. It is measured in volt-amperes or VA. If necessary, they can be converted to watts. For this indicator in volt-ampere need to multiply by 0.6.
The required amount of UPS power depends onthe device to which you intend to connect it. For example, if there is a question about how to choose a UPS for a computer, then you should focus on an uninterruptible power supply with a capacity of at least 500 volts-amperes. A device designed to ensure the functioning of the gas boiler must have an incomparably large capacity. In turn, if you need a UPS for a refrigerator - the consultants can always tell you how to choose it when purchasing the appropriate type of equipment, but the buyer should have a guideline on the parameters of the device in question - then its power will be closer to the one that characterizes the UPS for PC.
The next most important criterion for choosing a device is the duration of its autonomous operation in the absence of electricity.
The parameter in question is most often expressed inminutes, sometimes - in hours. If there is a question - how to choose a UPS for the house, then you can pay attention to those solutions that provide uninterrupted supply of electricity for about 5-7 minutes. As a rule, this time is enough to make the necessary operations with the computer. However, if we consider a refrigerator, then obviously a significantly longer autonomous operation of the device will be required. In principle, turning off the refrigerator for 5-7 minutes is not critical, and in this case, even the UPS should not be connected to it. But if such shutdowns are regular or significantly longer, then an uninterruptible power supply will be needed, and it should work significantly longer than the specified time - for example, about 20 minutes.
The next most important criterion for choosing a UPS is the number of devices that can be connected to the corresponding device.
Uninterruptible power supplies are most often equipped with a number of sockets from 1 to 8. Which UPS to choose when considering devices with different number of sockets?
The answer here will not always be obvious.The fact is that experts advise to pay attention not only to this indicator, but also to the quality characteristics of the sockets. So, among them there may be those that have enhanced protection from interference in the electrical network, and there may be normal ones. If the UPS is selected for a computer, then you can buy a device that has about 4-6 outlets, and among them it is not necessary to have those that are protected from drops. UPS for more powerful devices may already require special outlets.
The next most important criterion for choosing a UPS isfeatures of the electrical network operating in a building or room in which uninterruptible power supplies are installed. So, if the network works without failures, then, probably, the user will not need to purchase expensive devices that have the appropriate security.
Consider a number of nuances that characterize the choice of uninterruptible power supply.
It is desirable that the UPS provide switchingdevices to power the battery no more than 10 milliseconds. Only in this case the computer will continue to function fully - for example, in the mode of launching the game or editing the document. But It is worth noting that the majority of modern models of backup uninterruptible power supplies meet this criterion.
True, if voltage outages are toofrequent, then the battery installed in the UPS may be overloaded. In this case, quite soon the user may need to solve another problem - how to choose a battery for the UPS, the cost of which is not always affordable. In this case, it may be advisable to consider buying a line-interactive UPS. These devices are usually equipped with a voltage regulator that operates in automatic mode. An appropriate type of uninterruptible power supply can, by transferring the device to which it is disconnected to the battery, carry out the correction of the output voltage if the voltage in the network increases or decreases.
In turn, if you need to ensure the highest possible stability of the system to the appearance of problems in the network, it is better to focus on more expensive, but at the same time technological UPS type online.
Selecting the power of the UPS that is optimal for the operation of the device is a task whose solution is also characterized by a number of nuances.
So, experts advise to acquire sourcesuninterruptible power supply, having a capacity of approximately 30% higher than that of the device to which the UPS is supposed to be connected. In the case of computers, this is due to the fact that PCs sometimes reach a capacity substantially higher than that which corresponds to the average load on the device - for example, due to active use of the processor.
It may well be that the userit may be necessary to install a more powerful hardware component in the system unit of the computer — for example, a cooling system or a video card. This hardware update can significantly increase the overall power of the system connected to the uninterruptible power supply.
Another criterion to considerIf the question of how to choose a UPS for a computer by power is decided, this is the number of additional devices that are supposed to be used simultaneously with the PC in stand-alone mode. For example, a printer can be such: it is quite possible that when the computer is de-energized, the user will need to not only save but also print the document. If the printer will work simultaneously with the PC, especially when it comes to printing a large number of pages in a row, then the total system capacity may jump by an order of magnitude. This is where the specified reserve uninterruptible power supply.
As a rule, to save documents and evencompletion of key operations with programs, the user is enough about 5 minutes. Therefore, if objectively there is no task in conducting work with files, which requires a large amount of time, then there is no need to buy uninterruptible power supplies that ensure the autonomy of work in the above 20 minutes or more. In this case, it is quite possible to choose a good UPS, albeit not designed for long autonomous work, at a very affordable price, from a branded manufacturer.
Другой примечательный критерий, в соответствии с which can choose an uninterruptible power supply - the equipment of this device with functional software. The fact is that the situations in which the users most often need to use the UPS are quite typical. If the device to which the uninterruptible power supply is connected is a PC, then its operation, as a rule, is accompanied by the need to quickly save files. Many manufacturers of corresponding devices implement similar data protection algorithms at the firmware level.
The benefits of such solutions may bethat the files will be saved, in accordance with the program, even if the user for some reason will not be at the computer. In many cases, UPSs are also equipped not only with sockets, but also with connectors for connecting peripheral devices - for example, those that are powered from a USB cable. Some uninterruptible power supplies are adapted to protect network equipment and other devices operating using high-tech interfaces.
Еще один важный критерий, на который можно navigate, considering the question of which UPS to choose - the convenience of managing the device. The user should not, in principle, face any particular difficulties in bringing the device into operational readiness, and if necessary, disconnecting it, replacing the battery, and conducting the simplest diagnostics. Many devices of the corresponding type are equipped with rather informative built-in displays, which can reflect various parameters of the device. For example - the voltage level in the network, the power consumed by the system.
Кроме того, производители источников uninterruptible power supply can also be supplied to the market and specialized software that will allow the user to get the same data, as well as many others - directly to the PC screen. And this will be another aspect of the convenience of controlling the device, which you can pay attention to when choosing the optimal model of uninterruptible power supply.
An important, as many experts believe, criterionUPS selection - availability of the possibility to change batteries in it. It so happens that the user has the need for prompt replacement of the battery. For example, if the network very often seen voltage surges, while the device may not be designed to operate in such conditions. Therefore, it is desirable that the owner of the equipment to which the uninterruptible power supply is connected has the opportunity to relatively easily purchase an average of the range of computer store and install new batteries in the UPS.
So, how to choose the UPS, we now know.But many users make decisions about the purchase of appropriate devices, focusing on the manufacturer. The most popular brands that produce uninterruptible power supplies include:
- APC;
- HELIOR;
- Huawei;
- CyberPower;
- Powercom;
- BASTION.
Each of these manufacturers producescompetitive and popular equipment - reviews of experts and users can confirm this. Based on the opinions present on the thematic portals, it is difficult to objectively identify the best and worst examples of UPS. Anyway, focusing on these brands, in most cases, the user will be able to find a device that is suitable both in terms of functionality and cost.
