Unexpected power problems can significantly affect your business. To mitigate these issues, you decide to research an uninterruptible power supply vs. a surge protector. How do these devices work, and which one can best protect your business interests?
Discover the key differences between UPS systems and surge protectors below.
Surge Protectors Focus on Voltage Spike Prevention
Imagine a lightning bolt hits a power line. Extra electricity will suddenly course through the wires and impact all of the devices they power. As a result, the sudden voltage spike could cause irreparable damage to electronics.
That’s why so many homes and businesses have surge protectors. Power surges can occur without warning due to lightning strikes, unreliable grids, and even operating large appliances. You may need to replace affected devices, which makes surge protection equipment a smart investment.
UPS Systems Keep Devices Running During an Outage
When first reviewing an uninterruptible power supply vs. a surge protector, you might think they are one and the same. Some UPS systems offer surge protection. However, that is not their primary purpose.
Investing in a UPS ensures emergency power for electronics, including robust computer networks. With a battery backup power supply, business owners can keep their operations running smoothly, even if the building loses power.
Say lightning causes a voltage spike followed immediately by a full outage. With only a surge protector in place, your connected devices would avoid damage stemming from the increased voltage. There would be no guarantee that the equipment would keep running once the power goes out.
Business owners may prefer an uninterruptible power supply vs. a surge protector because of the following benefits UPS systems offer:
- Critical data loss prevention: Computer systems won’t shut down when the power goes out, allowing enterprises to save sensitive data.
- Voltage regulation: Select UPS systems can regulate voltage levels to further protect electronics.
- Dual applications: Choosing UPS equipment with surge protection capabilities offers the best of both worlds.
- Peace of mind: Minimize the financial loss and downtime of an outage with a UPS device to power your building’s most important equipment.
Understanding the Main Types of UPS Systems
Most surge protectors have the same design and function. Uninterruptible power supplies offer more variety, with the design falling into three main categories:
- Offline
- Line-interactive
- Online
An offline system will automatically switch to its battery supply when the main power source fails, serving as a reliable backup in emergencies. Line-interactive UPS systems address electrical issues during brownouts. An online UPS continuously runs on its battery and ensures no downtime in the event of an outage.
You may decide to invest in different UPS systems for certain environments. For example, an offline device might be suitable for your home office. To protect your small business from surges and data loss, you may decide to install either a line-interactive or online device in your workplace.
Power Surge Protection vs. UPS: Which Is Right for You?
If you don’t know whether to invest in an uninterruptible power supply vs. a surge protector, factor the following components into your decision:
- Cost: You can expect to spend more on an uninterruptible power supply than on a surge protector.
- Personal or business devices: Costly equipment housing sensitive data, such as computer systems, may fare better with a UPS system. It’s not uncommon to hook up appliances and smaller electronics to a power strip with surge protection.
- Maintenance requirements: UPS systems will need basic maintenance, including routine electrical inspections and battery replacement. Surge protectors are much lower-maintenance.
- Power loss patterns: Uninterruptible power supplies may be ideal in environments prone to blackouts and grid problems. Standard surge protectors will usually suffice in more stable locations.
Power Your Business With Confidence and Choose Nite and Day Power
Understanding the role of an uninterruptible power supply vs. a surge protector lets you figure out the best course of action for protecting your devices. At Nite and Day Power, we want to help you protect critical data, save money, and enjoy other essential UPS benefits.
Our technicians offer a wide range of services, including UPS installation, maintenance checks, and battery replacement. Give us a call at (800) 540-7693 to start taking advantage of a UPS system.
