Why is a UPS a top chosen backup power solution for residential homes in SA?

While having a back-up power solution is incredibly convenient for enduring power disruption, a UPS is particularly

in protecting critical equipment from damage during power outages. 

A UPS, or Uninterrupted Power Supply, is an electrical device that provides emergency or back-up power when mains power fails. UPS devices are designed to provide near instant protection from power interruptions by providing back-up power from a battery or alternative power source. 

 

These devices have the same capabilities as inverters, in that they are able to convert Direct Current (DC) from a battery or other alternative power source to Alternating Current (AC), where it can be used to power appliances. What differentiates a UPS from a standard inverter, however, is its additional electrical complexity to prevent damage due to electrical faults such as voltage surges. 

 

In South Africa, where frequent power outages are common, it makes sense to invest in a back-up power solution that not only facilitates back-up power during an outage, but also provides protection from surges when the power comes back on. 

 

Because of this feature, UPS systems remain the chosen back-up power solution for households in South Africa. 

 

The unique benefits of a UPS system for backup power

 

1. A solution to irregular power outages

A UPS is a convenient solution for irregular power outages, since these devices are able to assist in providing short-term back-up power, depending on the capacity of your battery. 

 

While a UPS unit is not a long-term solution to power outages, as it is limited by the battery supply, a UPS is a useful solution for irregular outages. 

1. Uninterrupted power supply essential for the health of technical devices

When power interruptions occur, the normal process of shutting down devices like desktop computers cannot be followed. This places your devices at risk, since operating systems are complex and running processes can be interrupted during an unplanned shutdown. 

 

There is a good possibility that any running processes that are interrupted without following the correct shutdown process will result in file and thread corruptions, which can damage your computer’s operating system. This is especially important when it comes to system files, as these are responsible for your computer’s vital operations. 

 

A UPS allows for sufficient time to shut down your devices properly in the event of a power cut, which is essential to keeping them functional.  

1. Offers power surge protection to limit damage

Sometimes, the biggest issue is not when the power goes off, but rather when it comes back on. A power surge, which is a momentary burst of higher voltage, could overload and potentially fry the electronics on your devices. Power surges can damage a device beyond repair, and so one unfortunate power surge can result in the loss of thousands of Rands worth of equipment. 

 

UPS systems offer secondary protection against power surges by continually regulating incoming voltage. Ideally, additional surge protection should go along with your UPS device, but with these protections in place, you are unlikely to suffer the ill effects of a power surge. 

1. Substantial increase in home office requirements due to pandemic

Since the pandemic, the switch to hybrid and remote work has been unprecedented, with millions of workers now working partially or fully from home. Because workspaces are now so decentralised, the need for a home UPS system has become more important than ever. 

 

If you are working from home, having the capacity to continue working during a power outage could save you hours of productive time. This is especially critical when working on time sensitive tasks. Having the ability to protect your income with one small device is a key to weathering load shedding while remote working. 

1. Backup to data loss and continued productivity

In much the same way as a power outage can interrupt a computer’s system files, any other files that are left open at the time of the power outage can also be corrupted. This means that critical work and data can be lost, compromising your productivity. 

 

A UPS device allows for sufficient time after a power outage for any open files running on a computer to be saved before the device is shut down. 

 

1. Remote workers can remain connected

A WiFi router can be connected to a UPS along with a computer to maintain your internet connection after a power cut occurs. 

 

This means that, depending on the overall capacity of your UPS system, you may be able to continue working for a few hours, potentially allowing you to work through an entire load shedding session. 

1. A short-term buffer and cost-effective option

UPS systems with battery back-ups are a great short-term buffer to allow you enough time to finish critical tasks and power down your appliances before your UPS battery drains and needs to be recharged. A small UPS system with a battery will be a cost effective solution to lower budget back-up requirements, especially where only critical office equipment is connected. 

The UPS gives you time to switch over to an alternative power supply or power down.

 

In the event of a power outage, even a UPS with a very small battery back-up connection will provide a window of time to power down appliances or switch to a different source of power (such as a back-up generator). 

Flexibility is offered with the size of UPS required for home or home-office use

 

Depending on your needs, UPS devices come in sizes ranging from small desktop UPS systems designed for keeping office equipment running during a power outage, to tower UPS systems best suited for applications such as server rooms. There are modular units available that can be mounted to a wall or rack for powering larger IT equipment. 

 

For more information on sizing your UPS system and battery, read our article on the Fundamentals of choosing the right UPS battery. 

 

If you are looking for the perfect accompanying battery to your UPS system, Battery Power-Zone has you covered with a top range of UPS batteries. For expert advice that you can trust, talk to one of our consultants to find the right product to suit your needs.

For more information, visit us at your nearest branch, or browse our online store here.