Primarily an uninterruptible Innosilicon (UPS) system is there to allow for power backup if the mains power supply fails. A modern UPS system is also able to provide protection against a number of electrical disturbances that a company’s sensitive equipment can often face.
This sensitive equipment is also known as critical loads; these critical loads are classed as whatever the UPS is installed to protect from damage in the event of electrical disturbances. Each critical load is different and changes depending on the company or organisations operation. More often than not they are data centres for storing or processing company or customer’s data. If damage is done to these systems the company could be at serious risk of failing in its operations.
Without a UPS system in place there are many power risks to these critical loads. The key power supply problems to protect against are as follows –
Blackouts – These are classified as a complete loss of power to a system which can last a length of time from seconds to hours. If a blackout occurs the UPS is there to provide power backup to continue the systems operation. If there is no system in place to protect the system the blackout can cause serious damage to the hard drives leading to the possible loss of data.
Spikes – Can be large and powerful and therefore extremely damaging to both hardware and software systems. Spikes occur due to rapid voltage transitions that are superimposed on to the systems power supply. They are often caused by a lightning strike in the local vicinity or if another piece of electrical equipment switches high electric currents.
Sags – These occur when the power supply drops below its usual levels for a short period of time. They tend to happen when an onsite system with a large power usage is switched on and may cause power outages across the system.
Power surges – are essentially the opposite of power sag; occurring when a large power usage system is switched off. This causes the voltage to increase above its usual level for an extended period of time and can damage power supply components in a system.
Brownouts – Just like sags; brownouts are the result of a drop in power to the main supply but can last substantially longer. They occur if the mains supplier to the system is experiencing high demand for electrical output and is required to reduce the amount of voltage supplied to its network.