ac adapter power supply

AC Power Supply

Uninterruptible Power Supply - The Basics

Executive summary about AC Power Supply by Michael Russell

ac adapter power supply

It is called an uninterruptible power supply (UPS). With UPS, if there is a blackout or power sag, the non-interruptible power supply can provide the power supply of the computer with power from its own internal batteries.

There are two types of non-interruptible power supply. One type is the standby UPS. A computer that is using a standby power supply will use the power from the wall outlet as long as there are no problems with the power from the utility company.

Fortunately, the standby uninterruptible power supply has an internal power inverter that will convert the DC power into AC power before using it to power the computer.

The other type of power supply is the continuous UPS. The power inverter will continuously convert the DC power of the internal batteries into 120-volt AC power that the power supply of the computer can use.

4 Types of Uninterruptible Power Supply Solutions

Executive summary about AC Power Supply by Eric Gehler

Below, we’ll describe the 4 main types of UPS’s that are currently available and deployed in various industries throughout the world.

Offline UPS

Also called a “standby UPS,” this unit doesn’t act until a disruption in the electrical current is identified. After this happens, the battery within the UPS begins supplying the current in the utility’s absence. When the UPS closes the transfer switch and begins to supply power, there’s a brief period during which power is unavailable.

Online UPS

An online UPS maintains a constant connection from the UPS battery to the equipment that needs power. The continuous link between the online UPS’s battery and the equipment not only prevents any brief loss of power (like that experienced with offline UPS’s), but helps manage voltage irregularities.

Ferro-Resonant UPS

This type of UPS is very similar to an offline UPS. The most significant difference is the use of an internal transformer within the ferro-resonant UPS. The ferro-resonant UPS’s transformer is designed to resolve the brief power loss between the time the transfer switch.

Line Interactive UPS

Line interactive UPS’s attempt to correct some of the problems of an offline UPS. Like an online UPS, this unit maintains a continuous connection between the battery and the output. However, the primary source of the electrical current is still the AC input. In the event the primary source becomes unavailable, the transfer switch is opened, allowing an inverter and converter to charge the battery before delivering the current.

Choosing a UPS Solution

The primary constraint for most small businesses is budgetary. While an online UPS provides consistency and reliability, they’re expensive. However, while an offline UPS is less-expensive, the unit can expose your sensitive digital equipment to unpredictable power outages and surges.

Weigh your options and your power needs. Then, try to invest as much as you can afford in a robust UPS solution. While the initial investment can seem prohibitively high, it’s an insurance policy worth having.