Difference in Types of Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS)

There are three types of uninterruptible power supplies (UPS): backup, online interactive, and online. Their working principles and power processing methods are different, and they are suitable for different scenarios. Backup UPS provides basic power backup, suitable for small loads; Online interactive UPS provides higher protection and is suitable for small to medium-sized loads; Online UPS provides the highest protection and is suitable for environments with extremely high requirements for power quality. Choosing the appropriate UPS type for home use requires consideration of demand and budget.

What are the types of uninterruptible power supplies (UPS): What are the differences between UPS backup, online interactive, and online?

UPS uninterruptible power supplies typically include three types: backup, online interactive, and online. The difference between them lies in their working principle and the way they handle power supply:

1、 Backup type (UPS) uninterruptible power supply:

When the main power supply is normal, the backup uninterruptible power supply (UPS) transfers power to the connected devices and charges them simultaneously to maintain the status of the backup battery. When the main power supply is abnormal, the uninterruptible power supply (UPS) will immediately switch to backup battery power to protect the equipment from power fluctuations or power outages. This type of UPS is suitable for protecting small loads such as home offices and personal computers.

Characteristics of backup uninterruptible power supply (UPS):

Standby state: The backup uninterruptible power supply (UPS) is in standby mode when there is power, and will only start when the main power supply is interrupted.

AVR function: Some models support automatic voltage regulation (AVR), which can slightly stabilize the voltage without consuming battery power.

Power supply type: Usually only provides square wave or analog sine wave power supply, and the power supply quality is relatively poor.

Applicable scenarios: Suitable for household use, such as computers, NAS, and other devices that do not require high power quality.

2、 Online interactive (UPS) uninterruptible power supply:

When the main power supply is normal, the online interactive UPS directly transfers the power to the connected devices and maintains stable output voltage by adjusting the input voltage transformer. When the main power supply is abnormal, the uninterruptible power supply (UPS) will immediately switch to battery power supply. This type of uninterruptible power supply (UPS) provides protection against voltage drops and fluctuations, typically used for home offices and small servers.

Features of online interactive (UPS) uninterruptible power supply:

Standby mode: Similar to a backup UPS, it is also in standby mode when there is power, and will only start when the main power supply is interrupted.

AVR function: Most models have automatic voltage regulation (AVR) function, which can stabilize voltage without consuming battery power.

Power supply type: Generally provides square wave or analog sine wave power supply, and the power supply quality is inferior to online UPS.

Applicable scenarios: Suitable for household use, low price, suitable for devices with low requirements for power quality.

3、 Online uninterruptible power supply (UPS):

An online uninterruptible power supply (UPS) always connects devices to battery power and uses battery power when the main power supply is abnormal. It provides electricity by converting the main power source into direct current and then converting it into the required alternating current. The online uninterruptible power supply (UPS) provides the highest level of power protection as it uses battery power to operate both normally and abnormally, eliminating any switching time. This type of uninterruptible power supply (UPS) is suitable for environments that require extremely high power quality, such as home computers, home theaters, and audio equipment.

Features of online uninterruptible power supply (UPS):

Working principle: Online UPS, also known as dual conversion UPS, will work continuously without power outage. It first converts mains power into DC power, and then converts it into the purest AC power through an inverter.

Power quality: The power quality after two conversions is better than the mains power.

Energy consumption and noise: High energy consumption and loud noise during work.

Applicable scenarios: Not suitable for household use, suitable for situations such as server rooms, precision instruments, etc. that require high power quality.

Overall, backup uninterruptible power supply (UPS) is the most basic type, providing basic power backup functions; Online interactive UPS provides higher levels of protection, suitable for small to medium-sized loads; Online UPS provides the highest level of protection and is suitable for environments with extremely high requirements for power quality. The choice of UPS type suitable for home use depends on your needs and budget.