Key Questions for Choosing A UPS System
The protection of information and electronic equipment (computers, servers) of your own or of your company is essential. There are different brands and models of UPS (Uninterruptible Power Systems). But with so many options one can feel a bit lost and not be able to choose the best option or worse. We offer APC Smart UPS.
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Choose the wrong UPS system for the type of application that you require. That is why we have prepared this guide of 10 key questions to choose a UPS system that suits you.
UPS System
The UPS (Uninterruptible Power System) is a device that, thanks to its batteries, can provide electrical power for a limited time to all the equipment that connected during a power outage, which leads us to the first question.
1. How Critical Is the Load (Equipment) To Protected?
There are 3 types of UPS:
UPS Stand By:
It takes about 5 milliseconds to supply power. Available up to 0.5 kVA, suggested for home use only
Interactive UPS:
It takes between 2 to 4 milliseconds to supply power. Available up to 3 kVA, suggested for home or office use
Online Double Conversion UPS:
It is online all the time and when there is a failure it supplies power immediately. Available up to more than 1000 kVA, suggested for home, business, industry, hospitals, etc.
2. What Level of Protection Do You Want Your Electronic Equipment to Have?
UPS Stand By:
They offer essential protection: against blackouts, momentary low voltage, and voltage spikes
Line UPS:
Offer professional protection: against blackouts, momentary low voltage, voltage spikes, prolonged low voltage, and prolonged overvoltage.
Online Double Conversion UPS:
They offer total protection against the 9 most common electrical faults (blackouts, momentary low voltage, sustained low voltage, momentary high voltage, sustained high voltage, voltage spikes, frequency variation, electrical noise, and harmonic distortion).
It performs a double conversion of electrical energy, transforming it into direct current and then to alternating again, always delivering a regulated voltage to its equipment (+/- 1% of the nominal voltage); Likewise, in the event of overloads or possible internal problems, it has an automatic bypass, always guaranteeing power to the load. The best choice APC Smart UPS.
3. What Is the Real Power in Watts That Your Equipment Needs and Its Phases?
To calculate the power requirements, add the power (in Watts) of each device, for this you can help with the identification plate of the equipment or the documentation of the manufacturer of the same. If it is in amps, multiply by the nominal AC voltage used by the equipment to calculate the power in watts.
Team phases can be 1, 2, or 3 (make sure you correctly identify the number of phases).
Important Note:
It recommends never to connect equipment that exceeds 85% of the total load that each UPS model can support; By having your UPS working below its maximum limits, you increase its life time and have greater protection for critical loads.
4. What Is the Voltage of The Power Supply
It is important to note that the plug on the UPS matches the outlets on your power supply. There are different voltages and electrical contacts according to critical applications (Home, Office, Industry), make sure you know exactly which one is yours. Best for all environments is APC Smart UPS.
5. How Many and What Kind of Outlets Do You Need to Connect to the UPS?
It is important that the UPS has more outlets than you need at the time of purchase to ensure room for future growth, and it is also important to consider exactly what types of outlets you need the UPS to have.
Important Note:
Remember not to overload the UPS, and keep in mind the percentage of its use so as not to exceed 85% of its capacity.
6. How Much Backup Time Does the Equipment Need to Be Protected by the UPS?
All UPSs are factory programmed with a standard backup time of 5 minutes; Keep in mind that if your equipment needs more time, you should consider purchasing an external battery bank.
7. Where Is the UPS Going to Installed?
There is a wide variety of UPS sizes and form factors. Therefore, we must ensure that the place where the UPS installed is prepared to meet all the space and environment requirements required by it.
Desktop Models:
Compact to fit on a desktop and take care of computers and peripherals.
Tower Models:
Stand upright above the ground and used for network workstation applications.
Rack Mount Models:
Can be installed in standard 19” cabinets and are typically used in server and network applications.
Larger Models:
These can even support data centers, ATMs, and others.
Important Note:
Remember that if you plan to install a UPS with a battery bank, consider the space that they will need.
8. Does Your Equipment Need Pure Sine Wave?
Pure sine wave is necessary for sensitive electronics that require a smoother, cleaner input source, preventing equipment connected to the UPS system from overheating, malfunctioning, or failing prematurely and ensures efficient system operation, helping to reduce power consumption. power consumption and save electricity costs.
9. How Efficient Do You Want Your UPS To Be?
The more efficient the UPS system, the more it can cost, but this translates into an investment since compared to less efficient models, it can save around 5% in its productive life, which in a large environment is translates into a six-figure savings, which is enough to make it worthwhile and possibly even pay for the UPS with these savings.
10. Is There a Future Growth Plan?
If there is a growth plan, there are two paths to take:
Over Sizing The UPS
Buy a modular equipment, to which capacity added, as needed.
Always remember to consult with a qualified expert to make your final decision. This guide is applicable for home, office, or data centers. For the industry, other measures would have to take, such as energy analysis, always rely on an expert.
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