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Frequently Asked Questions



Power Pros sales reps field thousands of questions regarding backup power systems and requirements.  This FAQ will provide information on backup power systems and answer some of the common questions we encounter.  If you don't see what you need here, please feel free to call us with any questions at 888-330-2538.

Power Basics

Clean power is one of the most important foundations to building a reliable business. UPS Systems, Surge Protectors, and Power Filters help assure clean power and protect vital equipment from power problems like blackouts brownouts, electrical noise, and surges. To select the appropriate ups for your situation, you must know the power basics.

Typical power problems - Electrical power is supposed to be free of noise and posses a sinusoidal shape. The most common problems that occur are blackouts, brownouts, surges, and noise.

  • Blackouts - A total lack of power.

  • Brownouts - Voltage dips and the lights dim. This can cause hard drive failures in computers.

  • Surges - Often caused by lightening storms or switching by the utility company

  • Noise - This is a subtle power problem that there are usually no visible signs of a problem, but can cause random hardware failures.

UPS Systems - UPS systems is a general term used to describe battery backup systems for computers and other sensitive electronic equipment. However, there are many different types of UPS Systems suited for a variety of applications. Here is a list of the design type and applications:

  • Stand-by UPS systems are typically used for desktop or home computers. It has some power filtering, surge protection, and a battery backup. When the power goes out or there is a brownout, it simply switches over to battery.

  • Line Interactive UPS Systems are similar to stand-by systems except they offer more advanced voltage regulation to handle sags and over-voltages without going to battery. This type is used mostly for computer equipment.

  • True Online UPS Systems provide complete power protection and are constantly cleaning and filtering the incoming power. They provide extremely clean power regardless of the incoming power source. This type of UPS is used for computers, lab equipment, and industrial applications.

Surge Protectors and Power Filters - Often overlooked when planning the environment for your computer or sensitive equipment, these devices can offer a large amount of protection for very little money. Panel mount surge protectors can protect all downstream loads from surges for a very low cost per device. These surge protectors are mounted next to the electrical panel and divert surge energy to ground. In many situations very sensitive lab equipment requires noise free power to provide accurate results. Isolation transformers can be used with lab equipment to remove unwanted noise and ensure correct operation.

Other Frequently Asked Questions

1) What size ups do I need ?
Determining the size of the ups is a pretty straightforward process. The first thing to determine is the power requirement of your equipment. Most pieces of equipment have a tag on the back that will tell the watts or amps used, and the voltage. Next, select a ups that is at least 30 % larger than the power requirement. If you aren't sure, you can always speak with a Power Pros sales engineer for help determining the proper size.

2) I want more runtime, should I purchase a larger ups system ?
No, to get the best value, spend your money on batteries rather than buying a larger ups system. Power Pros carries many models that allow you to add external battery packs for long runtime applications. So, for example, instead of getting a 2000 VA ups system, purchase a 1000 VA with an extra battery pack to get longer runtime.

3) What is the difference between off-line, line-interactive, and on-line ups systems ?
Off-line ups systems are the most basic type of ups system and are typically used for home PC's and workstations. They monitor power quality, and switch to battery when power quality falls out of acceptable range or when a power outage occurs.
Line interactive ups systems are often used on PC's and file servers, and are a middle grade of ups system. They monitor power quality and have boost/buck circuits to keep power quality in check. When power quality goes too far aout of range or a blackout occurs, they switch to battery.
True on-line double conversion ups systems use a device called an inverter to re-create power to isolate the equipment from incoming power. The inverter is constantly converting power from AC to DC and back to AC again. The battery is wired in parallel to the inverter, so when an outage occurs, there is a seamless transition to battery. These systems range in size from 700 VA to 500 kVA and power everything from sensitive lab equipment to corporate datacenters.

4) How long do ups batteries last ?
UPS batteries typically last 3 to 5 years. The main factors that affect battery life are the amount of use and the environment. Battery life can be significantly reduced by constant discharging and recharging and either hot or cold environments. For example, a ups system on a factory floor may see temperatures in the upper 90 degree range, and be used often to offset dirty power. These batteries should be changed out every third year to ensure reliable operation.

5) Can I change the batteries myself ?
In many cases the answer is yes. Most ups systems under 6 kVA have user replaceable batteries and are designed to be changed by the end user. Larger systems should be handled with care and only trained personnel should change those batteries.