Types of UPS Systems

Buying a UPS battery backup for your desktop computer, network or server racks involves consideration of a number of factors, including price and power capacity. But before you delve into the details, first determine the type of UPS you need. UPS systems are divided into three types based on how power flows through the unit: standby, line-interactive and online double-conversion.

Standby UPS

Protects against power surges and provides battery backup in the event of a power outage. AC power passes through the unit under normal conditions and switches to battery mode when a power failure is detected.

Line-Interactive UPS

In addition to battery backup, line-interactive UPS provide conditioned power, eliminating voltage fluctuations. AC power passes through a voltage regulator, which corrects low and high voltages as needed, and switches to battery backup mode when a power failure is detected.

Online, Double Conversion UPS

Incoming AC power is converted to direct current (DC) and then back to high-quality AC power, free from voltage fluctuations and other distortions common in grid power. Online UPS systems also include a high-efficiency ECO mode, which automatically suspends or resumes double conversion depending on the quality of input power.

UPS Types

	Standby	Line-Interactive for Desktops	Line-Interactive for Networks	On-Line Double-Conversion
TYPICAL USE	Desktop computers, home networks	Desktop computers, network workstations and audio/video equipment	Network server racks, office networks	Mission-critical equipment in data centers and server rooms
Battery Backup Emergency backup power for utility power outages
Surge Protection Protection against power surges or spikes
Brownout Protection Maintains safe voltage levels without using battery power
Overvoltage Protection Keeps overvoltages from damaging connected equipment without using battery power
Pure Sine Wave Output Perfect power for sensitive electronics
Fully Online Operation Zero transfer time to battery
High Availability Features Ensure power is available and is quickly restored to critical equipment