UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supplies)

An uninterruptible power supply – or UPS – is an essential part of any PC, server, router, and data centre. The UPS's primary role is to provide a battery-powered backup supply should the main energy source fail, suffer an electrical surge, or even an unexpected electricity cut-off.

We stock a large range of UPS battery backup systems from market-leading manufacturers like American Power Conversion(APC), MEAN WELL, Phoenix Contact, and our very own RS PRO – and all are available at competitive prices.

Browse the full range of UPS backup power supplies below and take advantage of our advanced filters for added convenience. These include selection by manufacturer, output voltage, power rating, supply voltage, output connection, and input connection.

Read on to find out more about uninterruptible power supplies and feel free to get in touch with us if you have any questions about our UPS power systems. Our expert team will be on hand to assist with any of your pressing questions.

What are uninterruptible power supplies (UPS)?

PCs and other memory-based technologies are filled with precious data and files that can be lost in the blink of an eye should the equipment's electricity supply fail. That's where uninterruptible power supplies come in. A UPS power system is a backup supply that devices such as computers instantly switch to should the main power malfunction.

This product is located between the mains wall socket and your computer, router or server. It has a wire leading to the mains and one to the equipment you're powering. Should your energy supply then fail, the UPS battery will provide enough power for you to save your files and complete a controlled shutdown. This will protect your hardware components from damage and prevent the loss of information stored within your device.

What uninterruptible power supply units are available?

When choosing the right UPS backup system for your device, there are several solutions to choose from. These include:

Online UPS

This is the best option for a power supply without temporary breaks in the event of a power outage. It will convert AC input into DC and then reconvert to stable AC to provide power whilst charging the batteries at the same time.

Standby UPS

Standby UPS battery systems have AC input that detects power outages or irregular voltage. If this is detected, then the inverter will begin feeding power from the batteries. Should a complete power outage occur then expect milliseconds of break in AC output.

Hybrid UPS

This UPS backup system has three modes which are double conversion, economy and active filter mode. The UPS will automatically select the best mode to match the power situation that your device is experiencing. The conditions for each setting are:

• Double conversion = Poor power situation
• Economy = Good power situation
• Active filter = Aims to achieve the highest performance

Parallel processing UPS

Taking power from the AC input, this UPS electrical system has a bidirectional inverter that is connected in parallel. This is used to correct voltage and absorb noise. Due to this being an online parallel system too, it is efficient and reliable.

What are the benefits of using uninterruptible power supplies? 

Aside from providing a reliable battery backup for your PC or other devices, UPS's also have lots of other benefits including:

• Low voltage and/or temperature protection
• LCD screens to understand the power supply better
• Connectivity and external hardware options
• Lots of power sockets and outlets to use
• Battery replacement ability
• Advanced performance monitoring
• Data-reading functionality

What to consider when choosing your uninterruptible power supplies?

If this is your first time purchasing a UPS battery backup for your server or PC then finding the right one may be a challenge. Consider the following and it should make your decision easier:

Capacity

How big or small your UPS battery backup is will depend on several factors – such as how many devices you're plugging into it and the total electrical load that it'll be dealing with.

Runtime

The runtime of any UPS depends on its battery size and how many devices you're plugging into it. Consider the minimum you'll need to ensure you have the correct size for your technology.

Consider which additional features you want. Some UPS battery backups come with surge protectors and blackout protectors. There are also aesthetic and practical considerations to take into account, such as how the UPS will look in situ and whether its physical size fits into your space.

Why choose RS for uninterruptible power sources?

We stock over 1,000 uninterruptible power supply products from a wide range of market-leading manufacturers. These products are all ready to ship on the day you purchase them with no minimum order quantity to qualify. This makes it quick and easy to give your computer or server the backup power it needs to protect your data.

As we're one of North America's leading distributors too, not only can you depend on us for great products but we also offer extra help and advice. Be sure to check out our expert advice hub to learn more about the many products we have in stock.