A computer has become an indispensable tool for our work, entertainment, and communication. However, have you ever experienced a sudden power outage while typing an important document or during the most intense moment of gaming, causing all your hard work to vanish in an instant? To prevent such a disaster, many people consider installing a UPS for their computers.
UPS, short for Uninterruptible Power Supply, is known in Chinese as an "uninterruptible power source." Its function is to provide emergency power to connected devices (such as computers, routers, or NAS) when there is an issue with the mains power supply, allowing you a brief period to continue operation temporarily and avoid data loss or hardware damage.
Why is a UPS particularly necessary?
1. Unstable voltage in older districts:** The electrical wiring in some older buildings in Hong Kong may be aged, making it prone to sudden voltage drops or fluctuations.
2. Protecting valuable equipment:** For those with high-performance computers, design workstations, or home servers (NAS), a sudden power outage not only resets work progress but may also damage the hard drive.
4. Maintaining network connectivity:** If you connect your router or Mesh Wi-Fi system to a UPS, your network can remain operational for a period even during a home power outage.
UPS systems are mainly divided into three categories, suitable for different needs:
1. Standby / Offline UPS*
The most common and economical type. It normally draws power directly from the mains while charging its internal battery. When a power outage or excessively low voltage is detected, it switches extremely quickly (within milliseconds) to battery mode. Suitable for protecting general home computers.
2. Line-Interactive UPS
In addition to the functions of a standby UPS, it also features built-in automatic voltage regulation (AVR), which can automatically adjust voltage that is too high or too low, providing better protection for devices. Suitable for computers, NAS, gaming consoles, and more.
3. Online / Double-Conversion UPS
Provides the highest level of protection. Its principle involves converting mains power to direct current to charge the battery, then continuously outputting pure and stable alternating current from the battery to the equipment. This completely isolates devices from any mains interference. With zero switching time and the highest power quality, it is more expensive, consumes more power, and may produce cooling fan noise. Typically used for servers or professional equipment highly sensitive to power quality.