Tips for Exploring UPS Battery Backup

Uninterruptible power supply (UPS) is a type of power supply system that contains a battery to maintain power to provide power to electronics in the event of a power surge or outage. Typically UPS power keeps a personal computer (PC) running for several minutes after a power outage, enabling you to save data that is in memory and shut down the computer gracefully. Many uninterruptible power supplies now offer a software component that enables you to automate backup and shut down procedures in case there’s a power failure while you’re away from the computer.

An uninterruptible power supply system generally offers multiple outlets, allowing you to maintain battery back-up power to more than one device and will also include additional outlets for surge protection.

A UPS traditionally can perform the following functions:

1. Absorb relatively small power surges.
2. Smooth out noisy power sources.
3. Continue to provide power to equipment during line sags.
4. Provide power for some time after a blackout has occurred.

How long can equipment on a UPS keep running after the power goes?

That depends on how big a UPS you have and what kind of equipment it protects. For most typical computer workstations, one might have a UPS that was rated to keep the machine alive through a 15-minute power loss. If it is important for a machine to survive hours without power, you should probably look at a more robust power backup solution that includes a generator and other components.