Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on PinterestShare on WhatsappShare on LinkedinShare on TelegramShare on Email
What Is A UPS? Why Do You Need One For Your Computer?
ByBilal Khan- Read Time10 mins
Think of it for a second, you are too close to defeating the antagonist of your favorite video game, and power cuts off unexpectedly. How would you feel? Yeah, I know, it would be disappointing and annoying at the same time. Considering, that you may have put so much effort into getting rid of that antagonist, this near-victory experience would be a bit hurtful for you. And that’s simply because you couldn’t make it to the end.
In a similar case, you can look at it this way. You are working on an important project without having the need to save progress and suddenly the power fails.
As a result, you have lost all the progress all because the power failed. Sounds crazy? Yeah, it does. But there is one thing you can do to avoid such a situation.
You can Install a UPS as a secondary power system for your computer and be stress-free. A UPS comes as a savior for the victims of frequent power outages. If you struggle to understand the entire concept of a UPS, you might want to check the following content.
What Is A UPS?
A UPS is a device that provides instant electricity in case of power failure or power outages. Also called Uninterruptible Power Supply, UPS acts as a safe and affordable electricity backup option for electrical appliances that are vulnerable to damage due to the unplanned shutdown. Backed with one or more batteries, a UPS device provides enough electricity to electrical appliances for a few hours.
Types Of UPS
There are three types of Uninterruptible Power Supply based on their features and power supply capability. To understand their core properties, you are recommended to read the following content which shouldn’t take more than a minute of yours.
| Stand-by UPS | This type of UPS provides battery backup and surge protection to low-power electrical appliances such as computers and networking devices |
| Line-Interactive UPS | Along with offering battery backup, it offers protection to heavy computers and devices against brownout and power surges |
| Online Double Conversion UPS | Built for data centers, It’s like a complete package that offers battery backup, protection against brownout, and power surges and remains online constantly |
Why Is A UPS Necessary For A Computer?
As long as you have a computer, you need to have a UPS connected with it as a power backup option. It’s because a computer consists of unnumbered hardware devices that team up together to make it operational. Most of these hardware devices are sensitive to sudden or unplanned shutdowns which ultimately affect their lifespan. In case of voltage fluctuation or a complete power outage, a UPS takes the charge to provide enough power to the computer. Having a computer connected to a UPS helps you avoid paying extra money in terms of repairs to hardware devices.
Since we are in the age of digitalization, we tend to spend much of our time using computers for heavy workloads which definitely require an uninterrupted power supply. With no UPS, you are likely to lose the unsaved progress of a project or any important task in case of a power outage. In such a situation, I can feel your pain to start the project or the task all over again.
For extreme gamers who love being glued to the computer all day, UPS is no less than a special gift. This directs us toward the fact that gamers don’t want to deal with sudden power outages. And certainly when they are close to getting the game to a new stage. Therefore, it is critical to install a UPS for an uninterrupted computing experience.
What Is The Average Cost Of A UPS?
The cost of an average UPS for a general-purpose computer is $100 to $270. However, a difference in price would definitely result in changes in features. For example, a basic UPS that cost around $100 would provide your computer and networking devices with a power backup for a few minutes. Such a basic UPS would be good enough for you to save the data on the computer and go for a planned shutdown. But you can’t expect proper surge suppression or protection against brownout.
If you want to up your game and want a bit more features, you better try something at the cost of $250-$270. At the said cost, you can get some additional features like excellent power management and a significantly longer battery backup for the computers and networking devices. A UPS that costs more than $250 can provide enhanced surge suppression and a battery life of up to an hour to a computer. Remember, I am talking about the average UPS for a general-purpose computer.
In case you want an advanced setup of a UPS system, you better forget about the price tags mentioned above. For a heavy UPS system backed with multiple batteries to power up electrical appliances for several hours, you may have to spend thousands of dollars.
Advantages Of A UPS
The advantages of a UPS would not only allow you to learn about its superiority over any other power backup option but it would also give you a few reasons to get one for yourself. Scroll through to check out what UPS has to offer to you especially if you hate frequent power outages and want a reliable solution to it.
No Data Loss
In case of a power outage, a UPS guarantees the protection of your unsaved data on the computer. It is to consider that a UPS continuously remains on the stand-up mode to instantly power up a computer after a power outage. Hence, there is no chance that you would lose unsaved data on a computer using a UPS. Enjoying the privilege of no data loss is one of the key advantages offered by UPS.
Noise-Free Power Supply
Unlike generators, a UPS supplies power at the cost of disturbing noise. With a UPS, you don’t have to bear unwanted noises that too while you need to focus on your project or anything that matters to you. I guess, we all love quiet power supply solutions while hating the unwanted noises at the same time.
Instant Power Restoration
Whenever there is a power outage, a UPS restores the power in a matter of nanoseconds. You don’t have to start it manually. Instead, it runs automatically in case of a power outage. This immediate and automatic power restoration makes it the best of all other power backup options. The process is so swift that you don’t even realize it the moment the UPS takes the charge.
Protection Against Voltage Fluctuation And Power Surge
A UPS provides protection to the PC against the dramatic phenomenon of a power surge or voltage fluctuation that can damage its hardware. In case of a power surge or voltage fluctuation, the UPS disconnects the main power supply to the PC to avoid damage and starts providing power using its own battery. This way, with the help of UPS, you can maintain a smooth computing experience even after a power outage.
Portability
As compared to a generator, a UPS is lighter in weight and smaller in size which makes it a portable device. A small UPS dedicated to a computer can be moved effortlessly from one place to another. The aspect of portability of a UPS alone is a game-changing advantage.
Disadvantages Of A UPS
Sadly, UPS offers some disadvantages that need to be covered as well. So, In the following paragraphs, we are going to discuss the disadvantages of a UPS.
Installation
Installing a UPS means involving a good amount of money. And to nobody’s surprise, the price is a bit higher for a stand-by UPS. An electrician is going to charge you more money to install a stand-by UPS than a generator. While a UPS is a one-time and permanent fix, its cost is what bothers a lot of people.
Battery Maintenance
A UPS is backed by one or more batteries according to the backup power requirements of the individual. Although, it is understood that if you want to supply your computer with power for less than an hour or 30 minutes, a single battery is enough. However, it should be noted the battery needs to be maintained properly. Otherwise, it would result in the malfunctioning of the battery and the intended uptime could not be achieved.
Short Battery Lifespan
Another drawback of a UPS is that its battery lasts no longer than 3-4 years. No battery means no UPS and no UPS means no power supply. This brings us to the point that the battery of a UPS is a costly thing to afford. If you can’t afford to pay extra money to change the battery every 3-4 years, a UPS can be a troubling thing for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Wrap Up
As a reliable backup power option, a UPS has more advantages to offer than disadvantages. Whether you are an elite gamer who does better in video gaming than anything else, or a workaholic employee that doesn’t really bother to frequently save the data, a UPS is a critically important machine for you.
Who doesn’t love an instant and noise-free power supply all without being forced to do anything manually? That’s what a UPS is all about. Anyways, If you found the content useful or if you couldn’t get a specific point of it, you can let me know in the comment below. As soon as I am free, I will respond to you.
