According to different working principles, application scenarios, and design characteristics, UPS power supplies can be divided into multiple types. Here are several common types of UPS power supplies and their characteristics.
- Offline UPS (Standby UPS)
Offline UPS is the simplest and most common type. Under normal circumstances, it directly transfers AC power to connected devices while maintaining backup power through its built-in battery. When a power interruption is detected, the UPS will quickly switch to battery powered mode to continue supplying power to the equipment. Due to the short switching time (usually a few milliseconds to tens of milliseconds), offline UPS provides basic protection against short-term power outages. However, since it does not process electricity during normal operation, it cannot effectively suppress voltage fluctuations and noise. - Online UPS
Online UPS is also known as dual converter UPS or true UPS. It converts AC power into DC power through a rectifier and directly uses it to charge and power the battery. At the same time, it converts direct current into alternating current through an inverter, providing stable power to connected devices. Due to the fact that online UPS always provides power to equipment through inverters, it can provide high-quality power and has good protection against power outages, voltage fluctuations, and noise. In addition, online UPS also has functions such as automatic voltage stabilization and automatic frequency regulation, which can ensure the stability and reliability of output power. However, due to its complex structure, high cost, and low efficiency, online UPS is usually used in situations where high power quality is required.