Power Protection FEATURED ARTICLE

Ensuring that electrical equipment has uninterrupted power sounds simple on the face of it: Get backup power and move on to the next task. The decision to protect computer and electrical equipment from power outages quickly becomes a more involved process when it comes time to actually choosing the right uninterruptible power supply (UPS), however; selecting the right UPS is not as simple as buying a surge protector.

A recent blog post by UPS maker Minuteman Power lays out the five most important factors to consider when selecting a UPS. While getting the right unit still takes thought, these five factors at least can clarify the process.

First and most important is knowing what needs to be backed up and how much electrical draw this equipment demands. UPS systems are rated based on volt amps that they can provide in case of an outage, so the first question is how much power might be required if the electricity goes out. Most equipment will list the watts, amps or volt amps it requires, and then it is just a process of adding up the numbers for the total possible draw.

Second, make sure the input and output voltage requirements are in line with the UPS. We tend to think that electricity is electricity, but voltage can range from the 120 we get in our homes to 240 over in Asia and other parts of the world. Further, commercial building will often have 208 volts to handle larger equipment. So figure out the voltage needs of the equipment.

Third, how long must backup power run? Is the backup power going to be used for only 10 minutes while servers are being shut down and critical applications are being saved, or does the backup power need to run for hours potentially? Obviously a longer runtime requirement will require a larger battery.

Fourth, what are the physical requirements for the UPS? Is a brick in the corner sufficient, or will the UPS be rack-mounted near server equipment? Form-factor can often be a forgotten but important factor when selecting the right UPS.

Finally, figure out what kind of protection is needed from the UPS. There are three basic types. First there are standby UPS systems, which will switch to backup power if there are any electrical problems. Then there is line-interactive UPS systems that include automatic voltage regulation to regulate surges, spikes and sags so the power coming into devices is always at the correct voltage. For the most critical applications, there also is online UPS systems, which is designed to condition power filter any electrical problems. Obviously the more complete the protection, the higher cost.

Taken together, these five factors can make backup power selection a relatively straightforward process. It still will require some thought, but at least there will be a clear path to making the right choice.