Are you thinking of buying one but not sure how to choose it? 

We have gathered a bit of information that can help you find the right uninterruptible power supply for your home.

What is an uninterruptible power supply and what is it used for?

Not only PCs, stereos, and home appliances, but also voice assistants and smart devices: technology, today, is increasingly present in our homes, providing us with increasingly high-performance devices. Devices that require a stable power supply, with very few power sags or surges.

To prevent sudden power outages or power surges from damaging the devices that make your home a smart home, it is important to protect them properly. How? With an uninterruptible power supply.

An uninterruptible power supply, or UPS (from the English "Uninterruptible Power Supply") is a device that allows a computer or other electronic device to continue to function for a shorter or longer time when the power goes out. The uninterruptible power supply also improves the quality of the power source by providing greater stability even when there are power surges and minor power outages.

In a smart home, this translates into better operation and lifespan of devices.

How does an uninterruptible power supply work

How does a UPS work? 

Most commercially available uninterruptible power supplies store electricity inside rechargeable batteries. When the power fails, the UPS kicks in and continues to supply power to the devices connected to it.

To function, UPSs, as well as many electronic devices, need alternating current (AC) while, to recharge the batteries inside, they need direct current (DC).

Battery-powered UPSs are therefore equipped with inverters whose purpose is to:

• convert the incoming alternating current into direct current to power the batteries

• convert the direct current produced by the batteries into alternating current to provide stable power to devices.

• Types of uninterruptible power supplies

To carry out this function, different models of UPS take advantage of different systems depending on the type. In fact, according to the type of power supplied, they can be distinguished:

Online UPS. This is an uninterruptible power supply that performs continuous filtering, storage and redirection of the flow of electricity 

Offline or Standby UPS. This is a type of uninterruptible power supply that remains on until there is an absolute need for its intervention. The instant it senses an anomaly, it activates its internal battery to supply AC power to connected devices, with a lag that, in most cases, is around 5 milliseconds

Hybrid UPS. It is an uninterruptible power supply that can function as both an online UPS and an offline UPS and is able to activate the most appropriate mode of operation for each eventuality.

How long does an uninterruptible power supply last?

A key characteristic, for an uninterruptible power supply, is the autonomy, that is, the guaranteed time duration of the power supply to the devices connected to it.

Considering that the UPS is designed to provide power in emergency situations, a standard UPS can have a runtime of 10 minutes. What should be enough time to secure those devices that could be damaged by a sudden power outage, such as a desktop PC, which may suffer damage to the motherboard or be subject to data loss.

Some models, on the other hand, can achieve a runtime of 30 minutes.

How much does an uninterruptible power supply consume?

To determine the consumption of the uninterruptible power supply, one must take into account:

• the type of UPS installed

• The consumption of the devices connected to it

Usually, when making a calculation based on the consumption of the devices, an overestimation is obtained, since the values indicated on the label always show the maximum consumption.

This means that, almost certainly, the electricity consumed by the UPS will be less than expected.

Uninterruptible power supply (UPS)

How to choose an uninterruptible power supply?

When choosing an uninterruptible power supply, in addition to considering your needs, it is also important to consider the features of the device itself. Here is a brief list of what to consider when choosing an uninterruptible power supply:

• type of uninterruptible power supply

• amount of devices to be connected

• consumption and autonomy

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How to connect a UPSConnecting and operating an uninterruptible power supply is very simple:you must first power it by plugging it into a regular outlet located near the devices to which it will have to supply electricity

having done this, it is advisable to put it on charge for at least 24 hours before connecting your electronic devicesthereafter, you will only need to connect your devices to the various ports so that, if needed, they will be powered directly by the UPS.