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Why do I need a UPS? If the electricity that powers your computer abruptly shuts
down:
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1) You will loose any information you have not saved. Example: If you are writing a
letter using a word processing program you will loose everything you typed since the last
time you or the program saved the letter.
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2) Some applications are more sensitive to being closed/shutdown abruptly than others.
The files these programs use to store information can become corrupted/damaged if
the application is not closed/shutdown correctly due to an abrupt power outage.
Accounting, database (Microsoft's "Access") or spreadsheet (Microsoft's "Excel")
are examples of program types whose files can become corrupted in the event of a power
failure. If a database or spreadsheet file is damaged it may be impossible to access some
or any of the information it stores. Imagine you just finished the income taxes for your
family or small business. You experience an electrical power outage and the computer
abruptly shuts down. You restart/reboot the computer and you find you can not open the
file that stores your accounting and tax information.
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3) Critical computer hard drive (MBR, FAT and or partition table) or operating system
files could become corrupted/damaged. Depending on what files are damaged you could end
up with a computer that does not function correctly or will not start/boot at all. In a
worst case scenario your computers hard drive could be permanently damaged. In this case
you could loose everything stored on your computers hard drive. You loose time, money and
customers if you run a business. Consider these factors when debating whether to spend
the money on a UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply/System).
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NOTE: Your computer is designed to work within specific electrical tolerances.
In the United States a home or office electrical system should provide an average
of 120 volts of electrical power.
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There are 3 general design types or categories of UPSs on the market today. The 3
categories are:
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1) Off line UPS
This design is the most simplistic of the 3 design categories. It provides battery backup
power to your computer when a power failure occurs. Some manufacturers include surge and
or spike protection in their designs. They are generally the least expensive of all 3
design types. An "off line" UPS is not able to protect against long term power
surges or brownouts (longer term electrical (voltage) level reductions/sags). In my
opinion this type of UPS is best used for non critical computer systems or peripherals.
Example: protecting a home computer & printer that are only used for recreational
purposes.
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2) Line Interactive UPS
This design includes circuitry (usually a transformer) to control and regulate
the electrical power supplied to your computer and peripherals. In addition to providing
battery backup it can boost the electricity level if it is to low or reduce it if it
is to high (referred to as "power conditioning"). This allows a line interactive UPS to
provide a more consistent electrical supply to your computer. Again, most manufacturers
include noise, surge and or spike protection in their designs. Always check to make sure
these features are included. The line interactive UPS is usually more expensive than an
Off line UPS. This type of UPS is ideal for SOHO (small office, home office) business use.
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3) Online UPS (also referred to as a "Double Conversion" UPS)
An "Online UPS" generally offers the highest level of protection of all 3 major UPS
design types. Both the offline and line interactive UPS switch to battery power as needed.
The protection an Online (double conversion) UPS offers is always on and actively
protecting your computer and attached devices. The online UPS has circuitry that
completely isolates your computer from the electrical system of your home or office.
The additional protection this type of UPS offers makes this the most expensive type of
UPS. I recommend this type of UPS for critical business applications
(Example: network servers). If you have a small or home business and you want added
insurance against catastrophe this is the design type to purchase.
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| Copyright © 1996-2011 Tom Bowser. All rights reserved. |
