Every modern house has a personal computer, which requires electricity for work. In the network often there are voltage drops or sudden light trips. Such cases can lead to equipment failure or loss of data, but this can be avoided if you use an uninterruptible power supply for your computer.
What is the uninterruptible power supply for the computer
The principle of operation of the UPS is based on the use of a relay and an autonomous power supply. They ensure reliable operation of the PC when connected to the network. The device accumulates energy in itself and when the light is turned off, an uninterruptible for the computer turns on the emergency block and transfers the entire circuit to it. The UPS will have enough time to save data on the PC and safely shutdown. The perpetual breaker acts as a stabilizer, smoothing out the voltage jumps to protect the equipment from breakage and the need to buy new parts.
What can be an uninterruptible power supply
Manufacturers produce several types of uninterruptible power supplies for computers that differ in their capacity and functionality. This is done for a clear segmentation of products according to the cost and needs of customers. There are three main types of modern UPS:
- interactive UPS;
- backup with UPS switching;
- industrial online UPS.
Interactive UPS Uninterruptible Power Supply
This kind of trouble-free computer is in the middle price zone. Used in home, office LANs. Stabilization of AC voltage due to the autotransformer will be stepped. They have a significantly larger range of operation than standby UPS.Linearly-interactive UPSs withstand large input voltages and switching to batteries is not required. By cons, you can only include a higher cost.
Standby
Continuous or reserve switching. The most popular kind among users of home computers. Such models have a simple set of functions, small dimensions, low cost. The disadvantages are the fact that they are able to stabilize the voltage only at small differences, and the battery life does not last more than 7 minutes. In case of any problems with the power supply, the UPS starts to squeak and transfer the PC to battery power.
Uninterruptible power supply for the computer
For large networks, use industrial variants of uninterruptible power supplies that are used on a large scale - On-Line UPS.Possess such models modern technology of double voltage conversion, provide the maximum level of protection. For personal computers, this option will be too cumbersome and expensive, apply it to maintain the health of servers, workstations that require a high quality network.
How to choose a UPS for a computer
Before connecting an uninterruptible power supply to a computer, you need to figure out which model to buy. To select UPS, there are certain parameters and criteria that it must meet. The main characteristics are:
- output power;
- cost;
- stated working time;
- dimensions.
In most cases, ordinary users buy the UPS for the sake of the ability to safely shut down the computer and save all the data. Protection from power surges is now enough in the very details of the PC, some even have a special relay on the meter. It can not be said that any particular models should be given preference, because with the same characteristics they are in the same price segment.
It's better to buy a product in a shop where you are guaranteed for a device for at least a year. This duration is related to the life of the battery, which forms half the cost of the entire uninterruptible system for the computer. Before buying a UPS, you need to calculate how much power your system requires to maintain performance. After that, you can look at the review on the device with the appropriate parameters on the Internet. Example of UPS selection for a home computer:
- For example, the total PC power is 440 W, which includes a system unit and a monitor. The minimum power of the UPS is 630 VA( volt-ampere).
- Manufacturers recommend taking models with a margin of 20% for the possibility of increasing the load when upgrading components, so you need the option 800VA.
- Please note that the VA is not equal to W.To get watts, you need to multiply the VA by 0.6.It turns out that 880 VA will be equal to 480 W, which are needed for the computer.
- In some cases, the device immediately indicates the power in W, it remains only to buy the option with a margin of 20-30%.
UPS for the computer: price and manufacturers
You can find a quality uninterrupted device in supermarkets of home appliances, specialized computer stores or on Internet sites. It is highly discouraged to take such equipment in spontaneous markets. To date, for home digital technology users recommend such manufacturers companies:
- Ippon. The model for 800 VA costs from 5 600 to 7000 r, for 1000 VA from 11000 to 12000 r.
- APC.Models for 700 VA offer from 3000 to 9000 rubles. Variants for 1100 VA from 8000 to 10,000 rubles.
- Powercom. For variants for 1100 VA ask from 8500 to 12000 rubles. Models for 800 VA from 3000 to 5000 r.
You can see that the pricing policy with the same capacity is practically the same for all top companies. When choosing it is worth to rely on the availability of warranty, size and design, so that the device does not get out of the overall picture of your interior. If you notice a price much lower than other stores offer, then either the UPS has already been in use, or its quality can not be guaranteed.
Video: how to choose an uninterruptible for home
Reviews
Oleg, 26 years old : I bought my first UPS in the distant 2000, when the light was turned off every few hours. The solution came after the video card burned. Now I'm back to this device again, because all my work is going on behind the computer and if I do not have time to save the documents, I'll have to redo a bunch of work. I use APC UPS.
Anton, 22 years old : At work, something is constantly being repaired in the building, and the computer often restarts. It's not so scary for a PC as for my work, so I bought for myself in the UPS office at 900 W, any light off is no longer terrible. The seller recommended the Powercom, so far everyone is happy.
Eugene, 40 years old : There was a period when the light was constantly turned off, next to the building was going on. After another turn on the computer made a strange sound and did not turn on any more. It turned out that the power supply unit and the motherboard were burnt. After this incident, I purchased an Ippon UPS to protect my PC.Its cost is much lower than the purchase of a new power supply and motherboard.