Type
—
Standby. The simplest type of UPS, familiar to most ordinary users. Its main purpose is the ability to “softly” shut down work in case of power problems. When the voltage level is normal, the UPS supplies power to the load from the mains, and when the voltage drops or fails, it switches to its own battery. The resource of this battery is usually small — on the order of several minutes, which is usually enough only to save data. Also, such UPSs can smooth out short-term power surges, however, if such surges occur constantly, this wears out the battery and adversely affects the source itself. Redundant UPSs are widely used in home and office environments, they are usually of low power.
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Smart. A kind of development of the idea of backup UPS; such sources not only provide power in case of a decrease or loss of voltage in the network — they also play the role of voltage stabilizers. The design of such UPSs includes a special regulator (usually in the form of a transformer) that compensates for changes in input voltage and supplies a stable voltage to the output. This allows you to supply constant voltage to the load without the use of batteries, making such blocks well suited for operation in networks with unstable voltage — they not only protect the load, but also do not wear out themselves. Interactive UPSs also mostly have low power and battery capacity and are used to protect individual devices.<
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— Inverter (online). Another name is "double conversion". The most advanced type of UPS providing the highest degree of protection. The name comes from the inverter — an output voltage generator that directly supplies power to the load. The inverter itself simultaneously receives power from two sources — from the network and from a charged battery. In the event of a critical decrease or loss of voltage in the network, the inverter continues to supply energy, only from the battery. Such a scheme avoids voltage surges when switching from the mains to the battery (which is a serious drawback of the two types of UPS described above and can even damage the especially sensitive electronics connected to them). Inverter UPSs have the highest power (up to the ability to power an entire building) and can be designed for a three-phase connection (see "Input voltage"), and some models allow you to select batteries of different capacities, depending on specific needs. On the other hand, inverter UPSs are not very efficient, noisy and expensive, so they are mainly used when high power or advanced protection is critical.
— Low voltage. Miniature UPS for low-voltage electronics backup. Mini devices provide a low voltage DC output (typically 9V, 12V, 15V, or 18V). Traditional sockets are not provided for in their design, and you can usually connect one consumer to them. For example, when there is a power outage from a backup mini-UPS, a short-term autonomous power supply is established for the router (for up to one hour), security systems.Full load operating time
UPS continuous operation time from a fully charged battery when connected to a load with a power equal to the UPS output power (maximum or effective, depending on the type of load, see the relevant paragraphs for details). For a UPS designed to work with a home or office PC, a time of about 10-15 minutes is considered sufficient, this is enough to save data and complete work. To power servers, it is worth using devices with an operating time
of 20 minutes or more.
Half load operating time
UPS continuous operation time from a fully charged battery when connected to a load with a power equal to half the output power of the UPS (maximum or effective, depending on the type of load, see below for details). The operating time with such a load is much longer than for a full load, and even in the simplest models it can reach 20-30 minutes.
Input voltage range
In this case, the input voltage range is implied, in which the UPS is able to supply a stable voltage to the load only due to its own regulators, without switching to the battery. For redundant UPSs (see "Type") this range is quite small, approximately 190 to 260 V; for interactive and especially inverter ones, it is much wider. Some UPS models allow you to manually set the input voltage range.
Max. current
The maximum current drawn by the UPS. In fact, the current reaches its maximum value only when the UPS is operating from the mains with maximum load power and a completely discharged battery. However, when calculating the load on the power grid, this parameter should be taken into account.
Redundant sockets
The number of
outlets connected to the power reserve(battery) provided in the design of the UPS. In order for the UPS to fulfill its main role (providing a backup power in case of power outages), the corresponding electrical appliances must be connected to these outlets. The sockets have a standard shape and are compatible with the vast majority of popular 230 V plugs.
At a minimum, the UPS has
1 or
2 outlets and, in more advanced ones, there may be
3 or
more.
Socket type
A socket for a specific type of plug in the UPS design.
—
Type F (Schuko). A traditional European socket with two round holes in the center and grounding contacts in the form of two metal brackets (at the top and bottom of the socket). The term Schuko stuck to this type of socket due to the abbreviation from the German Schutzkontakt - protective contact.
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Type E (French). The French style socket has two round holes and a protruding ground pin just above them in the center. The standard has become widespread in France, Poland and Belgium (along with the traditional type F sockets).
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Type G (British). The plug for such sockets consists of two flat horizontal pins and one flat vertical pin for grounding. The standard is found mainly in the countries of the United Kingdom, Malta, Cyprus, Singapore and Hong Kong.
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Type B (American). American-style sockets are designed for plugs with two flat prongs and a semicircular grounding contact. Type B is widely used in regions with voltage 110 - 127 V - USA, Japan, Saudi Arabia, etc.
Reserved C13/C14 connectors
Number of
C13/C14 connectors with power reserve provided in the UPS design.
Electrical appliances connected to connectors with a reserve are insured against a power failure in the network - in this case they switch to the battery. The C13/C14 connector itself is also known as a “computer socket”; it supplies the same 230 V as a regular household network, but is not compatible with plugs for traditional sockets, because uses three flat contacts. However, there are adapters between these standards.
At a minimum, the UPS is provided with
1,
2 or
3 C13/C14 connectors for one workstation. In more advanced, so to speak office ones, the number of C13/C14 connectors may be greater -
4 ports,
6 connectors,
8 and even more
No reserve C13/C14 connectors
The number of
C13 / C14 connectors without connection to the power reserve, provided in the design of the UPS.
Unlike connectors with a reserve, such connectors do not protect against loss of voltage in the network — for devices connected to them, the UPS only works as a surge protector, smoothing out power surges. This allows you to connect to the UPS devices that do not require continuous power and are not afraid of shutdowns, such as speakers or printers. In the event of a power failure, such devices will not consume battery power, and the UPS will be able to power devices for which continuous power, on the contrary, is essential for longer.
The C13/C14 connector is known colloquially as a "computer socket"; it delivers the same 230 V as a regular household outlet, but is not compatible with conventional plugs, as uses three flat contacts. However, there are adapters between these standards.
