High Performance UPS Surge Protectors

3-Phase UPS Surge Protector Panel Units

The importance of acquiring proper UPS surge protector devices should no longer be considered an option. In many applications, SPDs have become an NEC requirement.

Today, Uninterruptible Power Supply equipment (UPS) have become commonplace for business, industry, military and homes.

In general, this equipment converts AC power to DC power. When power interruptions occur the UPS switches on to provide temporary "backup" power to the connected devices.

The most common UPS systems available today:

Standby units are often found in small business's and homes and are the most affordable. They have small battery capacity and short battery-duration.

Line-Interactive units have an auto-transformer and are a step up from Standby models. These units provide an increased ability to tolerate brown outs while not tapping into the battery reserve.

Double Conversion units are the most expensive and most advanced of the three. With these units, backup power is on/running continuously.

Basic Standby UPS

Uninterruptible Power Supplies
Are Not Surge Protectors

Contrary to popular claims and apparent uses, a UPS is NOT a surge protector.

However, some, including the occasional professional, seem to think they are or at least appear to use them for that purpose. We don't recommend this.

A UPS may provide some form of partial or limited transient voltage protection through it's design. However, a properly designed surge protective device (SPD) that does not make.

ANSI/IEEE specified test results, the NEC and real world experience discourage the idea that a UPS provides quality surge protection.

UPS Designs With Built-In Surge Protection

Today, claiming an Uninterruptible Power Supply has "built-in" surge protection has become quite common.

The questions then become:

How well built is the UPS protection?
What is the UPS protection actually protecting?

UPS/SPD combination designs are readily available today. However, the surge protection should be carefully evaluated. Most likely, the surge protection is for down-line equipment only. Protection can also be limited to a few select receptacles leaving other equipment unprotected.

In our opinion, that's not the best UPS surge protector option.

What about the UPS itself? The sensitive electronics that operate the UPS are typically not protected. If there is some protection included, it's usually very limited and usually board only.
What's protecting the UPS power supply, other electronics and batteries?

It's important to be aware of what the definition of the claimed surge protection actually is for down-line equipment.

Are both normal and common modes protected?
Are the protection circuits shared or are they individually dedicated?
Exactly what type and how much protection is provided?
How does one know if the surge protection is or is not functioning?

Relying on a UPS to provide surge protection for down-line equipment is not the best option. Its not even a good option. Plus, the UPS itself can be at risk from the same surge activity its supposedly protecting against.

Reminder... a UPS is a UPS... Not a Surge Protector.

The Best UPS Surge Protector Options

From experience, following recommendations from IEEE and FIPS provides the best UPS surge protection. Installing a surge protector upstream of the UPS is strongly recommended. Apply multiple layers of SPDs upstream when possible. This approach protects the entire UPS system electronics, power supply, battery backup and down-line equipment.

SPDs that provide Full Spectrum Protection^TM are High Quality and High Performance. These SPDs are critical for the proper protection of sensitive electronics. Remember: A damaged UPS = No UPS = No Backup Power Supply.

If sensitive equipment is important enough to warrant a UPS system, then the UPS warrants being protected by a properly designed High Quality, High Performance surge protective device (SPD).

Advanced Technology: Full Spectrum Surge Protectors

10-Mode, Surge Berrier^TM and the Advantage® Series design, features, safety and Warranty are second to none. These unique SPDs lead the industry. Advanced Frequency Responsive Circuitry^TM protects against multiple surge types found in the harshest environments.

Few SPDs protect against both Impulse and RingWave surge activity. Even fewer do it in All-Modes. Our SPDs do both.

When protecting Uninterruptible Power Supply systems from transient voltage, install Full Spectrum Protection^TM from the leader in UPS surge protector design. Inquire about best protection methods.

Our gear is... often imitated... but rarely duplicated...

The Surge Stops Here^TM

Get the Right Gear!^TM

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