What Is A Line-Interactive UPS? Why You May Need One?

From power-hungry data centers to common households, UPS have been used everywhere as a source of backup power. While heavy-duty UPS systems deliver backup power to high-powered machines, their lightweight counterparts serve computers, modems, and specific telecommunication equipment in case of a power breakdown.

For low-power electronics that suffer from the devastating effects of power breakdowns, a UPS system is as essential as the power itself.

A UPS system doesn’t only serve to provide a battery backup to sensitive hardware devices, but it also works to regulate their voltage levels and protects them from power surges.

For a computer forced to bear power breakdowns, a UPS system is a must-have. By preventing an unplanned shutdown which can lead to data loss, a UPS can greatly increase the productivity of a PC user.

What Is A Line-Interactive UPS?

Line-Interactive UPS is a device used to provide backup power to telecommunication hardware, computers, and servers for a few minutes. Supported by a built-in Automatic Voltage Stabiliser, Line-Interactive UPS delivers an intermediate level of protection against low and high voltages.

This allows the UPS system to maintain the voltage levels to the required limit and prevent damage to the connected device due to Undervoltage or Overvoltage.

Unlike the Stand-by UPS system, the Line-Interactive UPS delivers power to the connected device using the inverter output.

How Does A Line-Interactive UPS Work?

While connected to the main power system, the Line-Interactive UPS keeps its inverter operational and in direct connection with its output. As long as the electricity flows through the main power system, the inverter delivers it to the output while charging the battery at the same time.

When the power flow stops, the inverter switches the electricity source from the main power system to the battery. This allows the battery to change its operational mode and supply the stored power to the connected device.

Features Of Line-Interactive UPS

A Line-Interactive UPS is credited to provide more features than a Stand-by UPS. Although its battery timing is lower than its predecessor, it still wins by a great margin. Below are the features of Line-Interactive UPS that make it a valuable asset to fight against power breakdowns and voltage fluctuations.

Backup Power

Doubtedlessy, backup power is the primary feature of any UPS system including Line-Interactive UPS. When the electricity supply interrupts, the Line-Interactive UPS keeps a connected device powered up for a few minutes. As usual, backup power provides PC users with additional time to wind up their unsaved data.

Moreover, the additional time means the PC user can easily plan up the computer shutdown to increase the lifespan of its hardware. The same could be applied to all other types of devices that require a Line-Interactive UPS system for backup power.

Voltage Regulation

Voltage regulation is one of the most powerful features of most UPS systems and the Line-Interactive UPS is no exception. Thanks to the Automatic Voltage Stabiliser, Line-Interactive UPS knows how to deal with voltage fluctuation.

While the Stand-by UPS system can only deal with voltage spikes, Line-Interactive UPS goes a step ahead to fix the problem of Undervoltage as well. So, whether it is Overvoltage or Undervoltage, Line-Interactive UPS can maintain the voltages to the specified limit. In short, a device connected to Line-Interactive UPS is less likely to deal with hazardous voltage spikes or low voltage delivery.

Low-Temperature Operation

Most models of Line-Interactive UPS operate without increasing the internal temperature of the system. Their smart operational capability reduces the temperature and keeps it to the point where the system doesn’t heat up. The lower the temperature the smoother the UPS operations and the better output results.

Disadvantages Of Line-Interactive UPS

Like the advantages, line-Interactive UPS also has its disadvantages. However, these disadvantages don’t lower its worth but rather point to its limitations.

Unsuitable For Over 5kVA Power Output

If you want to get a power output of 5kVA or 5000 watts, a Line-Interactive UPS would be your best bet. However, if you aim to get more output power, you might have to look for something else. Let’s not forget that most Line-Interactive UPSes produce a power output of 4000 watts. And only a small percentage of the same breed UPSes produce as much as 5000 watts of power output.

Limited Power Protection

Admittedly, Line-Interactive UPS solves a number of power-related problems but doesn’t come up as a complete package of solutions to all power irregularities. To make it simple enough, It can protect the connected electronics only against the phenomenons of Undervoltage and Overvoltage. Line-Interactive UPS seems to be helpless against the rest of the power irregularities like improper frequency variations and harmonic distortion.

Frequently Asked Questions

Wrap Up

There are many types of UPS systems, but Line-Interactive UPSes are specifically best for voltage regulation. They are good enough to maintain the voltage level and tackle the growing issue of voltage fluctuations that damage critical components of various types of machines.

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