To understand uninterruptible power supplies, it's helpful to first think about backup generators. They kick on just seconds after the power goes out and they keep your critical operations running. Using an automatic transfer switch, the standby power source kicks into gear, and as long as you have sufficient fuel reserves and a well-serviced machine, you should be good to go for multiple days if necessary.
But an uninterruptible power supply, or uninterruptible power source (UPS) takes the power protection a step further. As the name suggests, these units are specifically designed to keep the power on without ANY interruption whatsoever. Several critical applications often need UPS systems, namely hospitals and medical practices, critical infrastructure like cell towers, courthouses and government buildings, banks and other financial institutions, and data centers.
Most of us don’t need a UPS. If we lose power at our home, we might lose the file we were working on, or lose our place in the Netflix show we were watching. But if these businesses & organizations lose power, even just for a few moments before a generator kicks on, that can mean major losses, and a huge hassle. In these settings, if computers are shut down improperly, hardware damage and/or corrupted files can occur. If cell towers go offline, they can’t necessarily be restored immediately. If financial data goes down, the monetary repercussions might end up in the millions.
With a battery-powered UPS, you are afforded enough time to either switch to generator power, or perform the proper shutdowns as necessary. In this way, the two work in conjunction together.
Depending on the particular unit, they will keep power going for a few minutes to several hours. While the most important role of the UPS is to provide short term power during an outage, secondary benefits include:
When we talk about UPS systems it’s also important to understand how they fit into a larger disaster recovery & response plan. Are you covered for all plausible scenarios? Is your disaster plan formal, written out, and scrutinized on a regular basis?
Are you looking for an uninterruptible power supply for your business? Need a reliable electrical services provider seasoned in disaster planning? You’ve come to the right place. Since 1970, FM Generator has been providing peace of mind to business owners in Massachusetts and all throughout the Northeast & Mid Atlantic.
Schedule a free commercial disaster planning consultation today.