UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply) Requirements
A UPS (uninterruptible power supply) is a device that sits between a
power supply (such as a wall outlet) and a device (such as a switch) to prevent outages,
sags, surges, and bad harmonics from adversely affecting the performance of the
device.
A UPS traditionally can perform the following functions:
- Absorb relatively small power surges.
- Smooth out noisy power sources.
- Continue to provide power to equipment during line sags.
- Provide power for a period of time after a blackout has
occurred.
In addition, some UPS devices or UPS-plus-software combinations
provide the following functions:
- Automatically shut down equipment during long power
outages.
- Monitor and log power supply status.
- Display the voltage (current draw) of the equipment.
- Restart equipment after a long power outage.
- Display the voltage currently on the line.
- Provide alarms on certain error conditions.
- Provide short-circuit protection.