UK Uninterruptible Power Supply Common Guide

An uninterruptable power supply (UPS) acts as a secondary power source for computers and other memory-based hardware. Computers store many sensitive hardware components which can be vulnerable if sudden power loss causes damage. A high-quality UPS system is designed to protect these components in the event of a mains surge, or blackout.

They are widely used throughout industry and commerce to maintain the safety critical and business critical systems located in process control stations, computer rooms, data centres and server areas. Uninterruptible power supplies are available with a wide range of different efficiencies.

A quick note on naming conventions… In the context of tech hardware, the acronym UPS stands for uninterruptible power supply, and so technically the phrase 'UPS power supply' is a handy example of RAS syndrome (along with 'PIN number' and 'LCD display')!

It's no secret that the UK's ability to supply enough power to meet demand, especially during the winter months, is by no means secure.

Rotary uninterruptible power supply units or packages, with a power range greater than or equal to 200 kVA that use one or more rotating electrical machines (i.e. AC generators) to generate their output voltage when operating without mains input power. To be eligible for inclusion on the ETL, products shall meet the requirements as set out below.

a) An electronic control system that controls the operation of the product. b) Voltage inverter and rectifier devices (required for static uninterruptible power supplies, optional for rotary uninterruptible power supplies). c) One or more energy storage devices (for example: batteries, flywheels, etc.) specified for use with the UPS.