UPS System: How to Ensure Continuity of Power Supply?

An uninterruptible power supply (UPS) is a device that provides backup power to electronic equipment in the event of a power outage or interruption. It acts as a protective system, offering temporary power until the permanent source, such as a generator or the electrical grid, is restored.

What is the purpose of the UPS system?

Its main objectives are two: to provide backup power as quickly as possible when there is a loss of supply and to offer a certain degree of protection against power quality issues that could damage the equipment.

Depending on their design and features, systems can meet these objectives to varying degrees.

What are power quality issues?

Power quality refers to the suitability of a power supply in terms of voltage, frequency, and waveform.

Electrical equipment is designed to use electrical power with certain characteristics, such as 12 or 24 volts, or, when designed for alternating current, a frequency of 50 or 60 hertz. Similarly, the energy supplied by the grid (or another source such as a generator or battery bank) is configured to meet a specific voltage or frequency level.

Typical problems associated with power quality include:

• Power supply interruption.

• Voltage drop/under voltage.

• Voltage surge/overvoltage.

• Transients/spikes/voltage surges.

• Noise

• Harmonic distortion.

In which cases is it essential to protect the power supply?

In countries located in a region prone to hurricanes and other weather events (such as the Dominican Republic or Puerto Rico), having a UPS system is especially important because these weather conditions pose a risk to the electrical grid.

In addition, since UPS protects equipment, it is suitable for any situation where electrical loads may be sensitive to power loss or other power quality issues. For example, UPS systems are commonly used for computers and servers, as power loss can result in data loss or damage to components.

Similarly, different types of medical and laboratory equipment are sensitive to these failures. In many facilities in developing countries, the electrical grid is unreliable or of poor quality, leading to scheduled or unscheduled power outages throughout much of the day, resulting in downtime that impacts the quality and availability of critical services.

Types of UPS Systems

Depending on the power quality issues they address, three types of uninterruptible power supply (UPS) systems are used.

Double-conversion or online UPS

It is the most advanced and reliable type of UPS. This system provides total and continuous protection by supplying electrical power through its internal inverter. The energy from the grid is converted into direct current (DC) and then converted back into alternating current (AC), ensuring power quality free from fluctuations. In the event of a power outage, the double-conversion UPS system uses its internal battery to continue supplying power without interruption.

Standby or offline UPS

This is a type of UPS that operates in standby mode, constantly monitoring the quality of the electrical power coming from the grid. In the event of a power outage, the system quickly activates an internal battery to provide backup power to the connected devices.

Interactive UPS (Line-Interactive UPS)

It offers more advanced protection than the standby UPS. This system actively monitors and regulates the quality of the electrical power from the grid, with an automatic voltage regulator (AVR) to stabilize voltage fluctuations. In the event of a power outage, this system uses its internal battery to provide backup power without interruption.

Key Technology to Ensure Critical Mission Operations

UPS systems play a crucial role in areas prone to adverse weather events and where the reliability of the electrical grid is limited.

By ensuring a constant and reliable power supply, UPS systems help maintain the operation of critical equipment and safeguard data integrity. They are key to protecting electronic devices and ensuring the continuity of mission-critical operations in environments with electrical challenges.