Power surges and power outages can lead to irreparable consequences. Uninterruptible Power Supplies (UPS) prevent damage to computers and household appliances. In addition, these devices help preserve important information stored on hard drives.
Instructions
Step 1
Find out what kind of equipment you want to protect. If we are talking only about a personal computer and a monitor, purchase a specialized uninterruptible power supply. These devices cost a little less, but they only have specialized connectors.
Step 2
If you want to connect a TV, home theater, MFP, fax and other similar equipment to the unit, choose a UPS with standard outlets.
Step 3
Start choosing the type of uninterruptible power supply. They are divided into three varieties. The first type includes devices that turn on only if the external voltage source is disconnected. The advantages of these devices include their low cost. The obvious disadvantage is the fact that there is no voltage stabilizer in these UPSs.
Step 4
The second type includes line-interactive UPSs. This is an improved version of the type described above. They have built-in stabilizers that allow you not to switch to battery operation unless absolutely necessary. Choose this type of UPS when you need to protect your home computer or TV.
Step 5
If a stable mains voltage is extremely important to you, purchase an online UPS. The principle of operation of these devices is similar to a laptop battery. The voltage is first fed into the battery and then transmitted to the computer or other equipment. The main advantage of this type is the supply of a constant set voltage.
Step 6
Pay attention to the wattage of the power supply. It must be 20% higher than the total power consumption of the equipment that will be connected to the UPS. That is, if your PC uses a 400 watt power supply, the UPS power should be 480 watts or more.
Step 7
Another important parameter is the capacity of the battery. The battery life of the device directly depends on it. Remember that it shouldn't be less than 10 minutes.
Step 8
Find out if you can replace the battery in your uninterruptible power supply. The cost of a battery is usually 20-30% of the price of a single unit.
