How to choose a UPS for a computer: selection by parameters

Modern power supply networks, like any technically complex systems, sometimes fail. A power outage is unpleasant, but in some cases it can be compared to a real disaster. This is especially true for stationary computers, the instantaneous loss of power of which leads to the loss of unsaved data, incorrect shutdown and other negative consequences. For laptops, tablets and smartphones, such a problem does not exist, since they are all equipped with built-in batteries, but for stationary computers there is a solution to this problem - this is the purchase of a UPS (uninterruptible power supply) or simply an uninterruptible power supply.

This intermediate source for a stationary PC allows you to save the developed document, an array of data and correctly close the program and turn off the equipment in case of failures in the power supply system. An uninterruptible power supply for a desktop computer is not designed for a long period of powering the PC - a maximum of 20 minutes, and this time is quite enough to shut down the work and turn off the equipment. Of course, there are UPSs for long-term operation, but they are heavy and quite expensive. In this article we will consider the following issues: types of UPS, technical characteristics of devices, as well as how to choose a UPS for a stationary PC and rating of the most popular models.

Attention! Purchasing an uninterruptible power supply for a computer system means saving on repair and maintenance work associated with the failure of expensive equipment due to failures in the power supply network!

Types of uninterruptible power supplies

Currently, there is a huge variety of such devices on the UPS market. They all have different technical characteristics, costs and design features. But all this equipment for computer backup power is divided into the following three main types.

Backup sources. The main function of devices of this type is to connect the internal UPS batteries to a PC in case of power failures and restore power from the network after solving the emergency shutdown problem. Backup uninterruptible power supplies are low-power sources intended for short-term power supply to a PC. They can be called the simplest devices in terms of technical capabilities and design. Backup UPSs do not have a voltage stabilizer and this is their main drawback, since if there is any drop in the voltage in the network, it will switch the PC to battery power, which will have a negative impact on the service life of the device. These budget uninterruptible power supplies can be used to connect to electrical networks where there are no constant voltage drops.
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Linear interactive sources. These switching UPSs are higher class devices than standby ones. They are not afraid of constant voltage drops in electrical networks, since the internal stabilizer of the source automatically adjusts to the existing level of electric current without switching the computer to battery power. Only in the event of a maximum decrease in network voltage, the pulse unit will switch to powering the PC from batteries. This significantly increases the trouble-free operating life of this UPS. Switching uninterruptible power supplies are the most popular devices for emergency power supply of stationary computers, as they have the best price-quality ratio on the UPS market.
Power supplies online . These are the most powerful and expensive uninterruptible power supplies for desktop computers. They are double voltage conversion devices. At the input, the alternating current undergoes a rectification procedure and becomes constant, and at the output, the reverse process of conversion to alternating current of the required voltage is performed. This technology has made it possible to create a UPS with the most advanced technical parameters, allowing for maximum PC protection during power outages and power surges in the network. Online uninterruptible power supplies are used at server stations to ensure uninterrupted power supply.

Attention! Choosing the wrong type of uninterruptible power supply is guaranteed to ensure that you frequently replace batteries, especially if the electrical network is unstable. With constant power surges, an inexpensive device often switches to autonomous operation, which shortens the life of the battery. In this case, it is necessary to purchase line-interactive UPS models!

High-class uninterruptible power supplies have special electronic modules in their design that provide direct connection between input and output. They are called bypasses and are necessary to save energy in trouble-free operation.

The best backup UPSs

Optimal uninterruptible power supply for a computer is provided by special equipment - backup UPS. The normal operating mode allows you to achieve a stable voltage, and when the electricity is turned off, the equipment maintains normal, albeit short-term, operation of the UPS. Mostly the described UPSs are able to “keep” the system turned on for 5-20 minutes.

Model Powercom WOW-850 U – compact and affordable

Standardized equipment: mechanical control key, several connectors for display. The body elements justify the low price of the model: reinforced plastic.

The main advantages of the UPS are:

practicality and compact design;
hole protection system for plugs;
optimal cost.

Disadvantages of the model:

insufficient battery capacity to continue working with the PC;
primitive form, as well as the absence of advanced controls and indications.

Model Eaton Ellipse ECO EL650

Practical and reliable device: robust, reliable and durable. The UPS in question is supplemented with holes for air intake - cooling the system. A display is mounted on the front side indicating the operating mode and network status.

Advantages of the model:

the ability to quickly and cheaply replace the battery;
integration of display as well as control elements;
availability of options for checking the battery condition.

Disadvantages of the model:

bulky device;
high price.

How to choose a UPS for your computer

The answer to this truly pressing question depends on many factors that should be taken into account when selecting a UPS. The choice of an uninterruptible power supply for a stationary PC depends on the technical characteristics of the equipment that needs to be protected from failures in the power supply system. In terms of importance, the following parameters and design features of the UPS should be highlighted that influence the choice: power, battery life, number of connection connectors, availability of software, indication and controls, as well as the ability to replace batteries. Below we will look at all these characteristics that need to be considered when purchasing a UPS for a computer.

Selecting a UPS based on equipment power

The power of the power supply for uninterrupted power supply to a desktop PC with peripheral devices is the main technical characteristic that should be taken into account when purchasing. If the power of the PC exceeds the value of this parameter of the connected UPS, then an overload will occur with subsequent shutdown of the entire complex of equipment and the uninterruptible power supply will not fulfill its purpose. To eliminate the possibility of overload, the rated power of the uninterruptible power supply must be 30% greater than that of the connected computer along with its peripherals. For example, if the power of the equipment is 500 VA, then you should choose a UPS with a capacity of at least 650 VA.

Uninterruptible power supplies with a rated power of 300 to 500 VA are ideal for providing emergency power to standard computer systems with LCD monitors without peripheral devices. A UPS with a power of 800–1500 VA can power a gaming computer with peripherals. If, for some reason, you are unable to determine the power of your computer equipment, then you should contact a specialist. In addition, on many websites of UPS manufacturers, there are special programs for calculating this technical characteristic. It is enough to enter the computer model and the general system configuration to get an accurate result of the required source power.

Selecting a UPS based on battery life

The next main characteristic of a UPS for home computers is the battery life in the event of a power outage. This parameter directly depends on the capacity of the internal batteries, as well as on the power of the UPS and the protected computer system. On average, it takes from 10 to 15 minutes, which is quite enough to complete the work correctly while saving all data. But if an increased reserve time for autonomous operation is needed, then it is necessary to select a source with the appropriate characteristics of the battery capacity. The battery life can be increased by connecting external additional batteries, if provided for by the UPS design.

Manufacturers of uninterruptible power supplies indicate the duration of autonomous operation, which is possible when connecting equipment with maximum power. However, it should be said that in reality this figure will be slightly higher than stated under different loads, since battery life is a non-linear function in relation to the UPS power and battery capacity. Most manufacturers publish on their websites graphs of battery life depending on the load size, which can be used when choosing an uninterruptible power supply.

Important! Many consumers think that the more powerful the UPS, the longer it will work in autonomous mode. This is a completely erroneous opinion! It all depends on the load size and battery capacity.

Selecting a UPS based on other characteristics

Above, we reviewed the main technical characteristics that should be primarily taken into account when choosing uninterruptible power supplies for desktop computers. But there are additional parameters and design features of the UPS that require attention from the consumer. Below we list some of them.

Software. The best modern UPS models for computers come with special software that allows you to keep statistics of the device’s operation and save this information in the computer’s memory. All data about the operation of the power source is stored on the hard drive, regardless of the person, which is a very useful option that you should pay attention to when choosing a UPS.
Number of connectors. The simplest UPS most often have one connector for connecting a computer, which is not very convenient. Computer systems may include various additional devices that require protection from power failure. When selecting a UPS, you need to know exactly what equipment will be connected to it and in what quantity. Based on this, you should choose a device with a sufficient number of connectors and sockets.
Indication and control. For ease of operation of the UPS, you should choose models with sound and light indication of the device’s operating modes. The best sources of uninterruptible power supply are equipped not only with LED matrices, but also with full-fledged LCD displays. In addition, some models include control modules that allow you to configure the device to suit the operation of the power supply network. All these options are not mandatory, but they greatly facilitate the operation of uninterruptible power supply systems.
Battery Replacement. This is a very important option. After all, if the battery fails, it is cheaper to replace it than to purchase a new UPS. Currently, there are uninterruptible power supply models with the option of replacing a battery that has exhausted its service life. The battery has a service life of about five years, and the source itself is much longer. When choosing a UPS, pay attention to the possibility of replacing the battery with a new one. This will allow you to save significant money from your budget in the future.

Important! You should be aware that over time, the capacity of internal batteries is constantly decreasing. This reduces battery life. It is necessary to change batteries on time so that the UPS does not fail at one point!

When purchasing a UPS, you should pay attention to other technical characteristics and features of the devices, but we have looked at the main ones that will allow you to make the right choice. You also need to have an idea of the most popular manufacturers of uninterruptible power supplies among consumers of these products. Below we provide a rating of such companies.

Consequences of incorrect shutdown

A certain percentage of users seriously believe that the computer is completely protected from power surges or sudden outages. This is partly true, if such a situation occurs once every six months or a year, then yes, the PC will survive it. But it’s another matter if the technology constantly faces this problem. No basic protection will be a panacea here.

The first thing that is important for such users to remember is that a computer is a complex technical device. It contains millions of important elements that interact with each other, which is necessary for the correct execution of tasks.

For example, the central processor almost always interacts with RAM and ROM. Thanks to this, the calculations required for specific tasks are carried out quickly. Thus, when listening to a piece of music, the CPU converts the digital signal into analog so that the user can relax and immerse himself in the joy of the violin or the wisdom of the piano. Even with the usual movement of the cursor on the table, the processor performs the necessary calculations, what can we say about movies, surfing the Internet or when spending time in computer games.

But this does not mean that if a person does not listen to music, does not launch an application, does not open a browser and does not have a single window on the desktop, that the processor is resting at this time. Yes, it is less busy, but the calculation occurs constantly and in some cases it is more important. The CPU sends signals to RAM every second, and the RAM responds. And if at this moment there is a sudden blackout, then the information will not have time to be saved, and this can lead to the most unusual malfunctions.

In addition, due to a sudden power outage, there is a possibility that the hard drive will not work correctly. Most often, Chinese SSDs are at risk, where the manufacturer did not worry about the safety of the equipment and did not establish a “safety margin” for an unpredictable power outage.

Of course, all computers have basic protection against sudden power failure. After all, the problem is widespread not only in Russia. And whenever possible, the PC corrects common errors, but it is not recommended to place high hopes on protection. Because the possibility of an unpredictable scenario still exists.

Rating of the manufacturer of uninterruptible power supplies

We have already looked at what technical characteristics and design features should be taken into account when choosing a UPS. In addition, when purchasing a UPS, any consumer should focus not only on the parameters of the device, but also on its manufacturer. Do not buy a “pig in a poke” from an unknown brand! High-quality and reliable uninterruptible power supplies for stationary computer systems are manufactured in the USA, England, Taiwan and, of course, in Russia. The following companies are considered one of the best UPS manufacturers.

APC is one of the world's leading companies, part of the Schneider Electric corporation and producing products in an affordable price segment. The manufacturer's headquarters is located in the USA. Operating on the market since 1982.
Powercom - the largest manufacturer from the island of Taiwan. Produces affordable, high quality products. Production volumes amount to more than 250 thousand units of various models per year.
Ippon — the brand belongs to the British corporation Nippon Klick Systems LLP, which produces products at different price levels. The company has been operating on the Russian market since 2002 and has proven itself to be the best.
P-Com is an international Russian-Chinese company that produces a large range of popular products of excellent quality. The company is young, but popular both in the Russian and global markets.
INELT is a purely Russian brand that appeared on the market in 2002 and has proven itself to be a responsible manufacturer. Under this brand, UPSs are produced not only for computers, but also for other household appliances.

All of these uninterruptible power supply manufacturers produce highly competitive products that are in high demand. If we talk about specific UPS models that these companies produce, it is difficult to determine which models are better and which are worse. In any case, focusing on these brands, the consumer will definitely choose the optimal uninterruptible power supply model, both in price and in terms of general technical characteristics.

Conclusion

You should never be sure that frequent power outages will not damage your computer. On the contrary, the wear and tear process doubles and the sooner a person understands this, the greater the chance of saving him. Because according to statistics, most PC breakdowns are not due to a “bad” manufacturer, but to careless use. If you have experience using uninterruptible power supplies described in the rating, or a more interesting model, tell us about it in the comments.