About Technology

Since there is such danger in variable electrical current, uninterruptible power supplies (UPS) have been developed to cover various types and levels of protection for electrical equipment. While these devices are still rather expensive, new developments have recently brought their cost within the reach of smaller companies and even some private residences.

The least expensive, but also least efficient, of the UPS systems is the "off-line" power back-up. These contain a storage battery that can produce the required voltage for a period of up to a half an hour. These units are directly plugged into the standard electrical system where they passively monitor the flow and can detect a power loss and activate within four to twenty-five milliseconds of detection.

The most effective for systems that are critically sensitive to power fluctuations or outages is the double conversion online UPS. These expensive but effective devices are used extensively in industry and computer server environments. One major difference is that in the online system, the batteries are never disengaged from the flow but are continually used and recharged during normal usage. Thus when a spike or fluctuation occurs, there are no relays that have to be engaged. The modulation sensors will maintain a steady electrical supply to the equipment.

There are industry specific devices that function differently from the standard UPS's. The telecommunications industry for example, almost exclusively uses direct current (DC) systems. This low voltage application is easier to use and install as there are fewer safety regulations required in its use. Research into using these systems for protecting computer data centers continues although the power requirements for such systems create additional problems with excessive heat creation in the current units.

There are many more types of power system protection devices for both industrial and hoe appliance applications. With some personal uninterruptible power supply systems providing protection with as little as five hundred watts there is no reason ever to risk you electronic equipment again.