Although you may have heard the term UPS generator before, its meaning is different from what you might expect.
Although both generators and UPS systems are intended as backup power systems in the event of a power failure, a UPS system is not a generator.
It is important to be aware of the difference between the two (and how well they can complement each other).
- Standby generators are intended to be used as a temporary source of power during power outages and other environmental/weather incidents that may cause power surges and/or blackouts.
- UPS systems are designed to protect your electrical equipment against power surges and interruptions while ensuring that the equipment operates without interruption until the mains power is restored.
- However, the main difference between a UPS and a standby generator is that UPS systems can only provide a few minutes of power. The purpose of these critical minutes is to provide enough time to properly shut down the power supply or switch to an alternative power source.
- The standby generator will need time to switch on. This means that if it is used without a UPS system, your electrical equipment will shut down in the meantime.
- The UPS system can ‘fill the gap’ between the initial power cut and the time it takes for the standby generator to switch on and power your electrical equipment accordingly.
Does The Generator Affect the Ups?
A generator can have a negative effect on a UPS system if they are not compatible. As mentioned above, if the voltage and frequency are not synchronised, the UPS is likely to reject the generator as a power source. In addition, if the wrong type of UPS is used with a particular generator, this can lead to all sorts of problems.
However, if you take the necessary precautions to avoid unnecessary compatibility problems between UPS and generators, they can complement each other perfectly.
Is It Worth Buying a Backup Generator?
A standby generator offers a number of benefits – for large corporations, SMEs and households. Whether a UPS system is sufficient without the support of a standby generator depends on a number of factors.
A UPS system is essential to prevent sudden shutdown or short-circuiting of equipment due to electrical surges. However, it can only provide a very limited amount of power. Although it may give you enough time to shut down the equipment properly, without an alternative power source you will not be able to continue your operations until the power supply is restored. Depending on the circumstances, this may be a matter of minutes, an hour or longer.
However, if you have a backup generator, whatever the circumstances, you can keep your equipment adequately powered without affecting your productivity.
The same is true in a home office environment. A UPS is great for short interruptions, but if you’re going to be without power for several hours, you’ll want to have a UPS generator installed for home use.
Contact Us If You Need Help Selecting a Standby Generator for Your Ups.
If you are feeling a little unsure and want to make sure you avoid unnecessary UPS/generator compatibility problems in the future, please contact us. We can not only help you determine the optimal combination of a UPS system and a standby generator for your emergency power requirements but also offer our professional installation and maintenance services.