Like with any other stuff, there are numerous myths revolving around Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) systems. In this guide, we list and explain the 6 most controversial UPS system myths we believe every aspiring buyer should know.
Our article also further explains the realities associated with each of the myths so that you can always have the correct information at your fingertips. Now give us your maximum attention as we shed more light on each UPS myth to help you distinguish between mere beliefs and truths.
Myth 1: Only Larger Enterprises Can Use UPS Systems
This myth suggests that only larger organizations such as big supermarkets, malls, banks, or academic Institutions can utilize the power from UPS backups. The myth has actually made many people shy away from UPS technology, thinking that it is an unnecessary consideration.
Well, it really doesn't matter whether you've heard about this UPS system myth or not. However, we have a problem with how you've taken the whole idea. According to our experts, there's no limitation to what UPS units can do. Everything depends on how critical electrical energy is in your home or business.
Some homes or business premises can tolerate outages while others cannot. So, if your home has appliances you want to keep running even during blackouts, you can go ahead and install a UPS backup, no matter how small the house is. That means anyone can acquire and install a UPS system as long as they have a genuine purpose for it.
The Most Popular Ways We Apply UPS Systems In Real Life
UPS backup units have become increasingly common as time goes by, and below are some of their main uses in various sectors.
- Protecting Electrical Appliances—Most devices are sensitive to voltage fluctuations and can experience significant damage if appropriate measures are not taken. Luckily, UPS systems address the challenge quite intelligently by regulating the incoming voltage accordingly before supplying it to your appliances.
- Supplying Power During an Outage—Installing a UPS system allows businesses, homes, and other organizations to continue using their devices despite outages. So, if you're a businessperson, there should be no problem keeping your services online because having a UPS unit just makes it happen.
- Powering Entertainment Systems - It doesn't matter whether you want to entertain guests at the workplace or your family at home because UPS systems will keep the relevant systems running. For instance, homeowners rely on UPS units to charge their smartphones, iPods, laptops, music systems, and televisions during power outages.
- Keeping Critical Medical Appliances Running - A power outage can be life-threatening in medical facilities unless there's a reliable alternative power source. UPS units keep critical medical machines in operation when there's no power or when the mains supply is experiencing interruptions. That means, X-ray machines, refrigerators, diagnosis machines, and other crucial life support equipment can still operate successfully on power from UPS systems.
Myth 2: UPS Systems Provide Infinite Power Backup
The other thing most people believe about UPS systems, but not true, is that you can obtain power endlessly from such backup units. This has resulted in some people not acknowledging the need for the utility grid supply, thinking that a UPS system is all they need.
The most surprising reality is that most UPS power backups are just temporary power sources. Their reliability is largely temporary as they can provide current only for a few hours. Therefore, UPS systems aren't ideal for prolonged outages.
To understand the duration your UPS system can supply you with power in case of an outage, we've explained some of the key determinant factors below.
- UPS Battery Capacity - We would like to remind you that the power from your UPS doesn't come from anywhere else but from the batteries. The utility grid usually charges the UPS batteries whenever there's power so that they can, in turn, supply the power should an outage occur.
UPS batteries with higher capacities always last longer, thus leading to prolonged backup durations. For example, a UPS unit with a 400Ah capacity battery would provide you with power for more hours than a 300Ah battery UPS unit. That calls for high battery capacity if you anticipate extended or more frequent outages.
- The Intended Load—The load to support during an outage varies from one home or business to another. It depends on the power consumption rates of your appliances. If you have several power-intensive devices, your load automatically rises, and the backup duration shortens proportionally.
On the other hand, smaller loads result in longer backup periods. So, basically, if you have a larger electrical load, you'll have to purchase more batteries with larger capacities to balance the big load factor, and vice versa.
- Battery Health—Like any other machine, UPS batteries perform optimally when they're in good condition. That means you have to check the electrolyte level regularly and top up whenever necessary if you're using wet cell batteries. You also want to ensure that the battery terminals are always clean and the connections are tight enough for them to supply the maximum power possible.
Myth 3: All UPS Systems Are The Same
The lack of deep knowledge of matters regarding UPS systems can make you believe that the units are all the same. You may also think that power backups are ideal for any purpose or any type of device. However, the fact is that every purpose requires a certain type of UPS system.
The UPS unit a large business organization requires is completely different from what you would want to install at home for domestic purposes. So, what are the types of UPS systems available? And what are some of their applications?
The Main Types of UPS Systems
Your UPS unit can be any of the following three options.
- Standby UPS systems - Standby UPS systems are the simplest of all. People install them in their homes or small businesses primarily to supply backup power during an outage. Because they can't regulate power, standby UPS units aren't quite ideal for use with very sensitive electrical devices.
- Line-Interactive UPS Systems - Line-Interactive UPS power backups come with additional functionality. For example, they have inbuilt power regulation mechanisms that prevent extreme voltage drops or power surges.
Therefore, the line-interactive UPS backups supply more consistent and quality power than the standby type. This makes them more effective in medium business environments where the safety and reliability of backup power are vital.
- Online-Double Conversion UPS Systems—If standby or Line-Interactive isn't what you're looking for, then we think Online-Double Conversion UPS systems might be the answer to your power supply needs. They don't let power directly into your wiring system but first convert it to DC.
The Online-Double Conversion UPS systems then convert the DC power back to a refined AC out that's immune to fluctuations, noise, or potential surges. Equipped with more advanced features, these UPS units are perfect for powering big businesses, data centers, and other industrial uses.
Myth 4: UPS Systems Require No Maintenance
Another popular UPS system myth misleads many people who aspire to own a power backup solution. According to the myth, purchasing and installing a UPS unit is final since you won't need any maintenance. Well, if you believe this claim, you're likely to end up in shock and disappointment.
UPS systems require regular repair and maintenance of various components for excellent performance. For example, batteries have to be topped up using distilled battery water if they're wet cells.
You also have to replace UPS batteries that have served you for long and become less efficient. To determine the health of your UPS batteries, you can measure the rate of discharge and capacity, and then check if the values still match the manufacturer's specifications.
Other things you should check out and fix regularly include the inverter, surge protectors, and electrical wiring system. Your inverter's maximum load, endurance, and transfer tests should all fall within optimum ranges. Additionally, you must ensure that your UPS system's software is up-to-date for effective operation and top-notch performance.
Myth 5: UPS Systems Protect Against All Issues
This myth claims that you can rely on a UPS power backup to solve any problem with your electrical system. That would mean handling even extreme situations, such as abnormally long outages, among others. We've studied UPS systems extensively, and we can tell you that you cannot utilize them to solve just any problem.
For issues to do with blackouts that don't take too long, you can count on UPS backup units. UPS systems can also help with proper and safe management of electrical surges and keeping your appliances up at all times.
Unfortunately, a UPS cannot handle some issues. For instance, too-long outages are not preventable because the UPS batteries store a maximum amount of energy that can keep the system running for a given period. Too severe voltage spikes may also overwhelm UPS systems, leading to unprecedented damage.
Myth 6: UPS Systems Are Too Complex & Expensive To Install
According to this myth, UPS systems are complex, and only experts can install them. Also, the cost of installing a UPS backup is too high for most people and, therefore, unaffordable.
Even though installing a UPS for the first time may cost a lot of money, the initiative is still way cheaper because it will save you a lot of money in the long run. It's basically a slightly high Initial cost but with very minimal maintenance and recurrent costs.
Most of the available UPS units are pretty straightforward to install. You can do everything yourself by following simple instructions or seek professional help if necessary.
The Bottomline
UPS system myths can be very misleading if you don't know the truth. After reading our article, you've realized that both large and small organizations can use UPS systems, and the backup duration is limited.
This piece has also revealed that not all UPS backups are the same, and they don't protect against all power issues. Most importantly, installing the units is easy, but you can engage a professional if you feel it's necessary.
