We are often asked what is the difference between a Surge protector and an uninterruptible power system (UPS)
A Surge protector (or suppressor) provides a line of defense against surges, or high voltage electrical spikes. The increased voltage from surges can damage the components of your electrical systems.
However, a surge protector will not keep your equipment operational during a blackout a UPS will do this. A UPS also continually regulates incoming voltage and provides an internal battery to continue running even if the power supply is cut. In order for your electronic devices to continue to function when power is unavailable, you need a UPS, and often a backup generator.
Which form of power protection is best suited for your environment?
Both. Critical servers and key business devices are protected by attaching a UPS, to ensure they function in the event of a power outage and shut down cleanly if power remains out for a period of time. Surge devices are required to protect both critical equipment, and even the UPS itself.
Using the Surge protector against lightening or internal utility switching on the utilities side of your UPS, ideally on the bypass line can greatly extend the life of the surge protection components in your UPS. The first surge unit, (upstream SPD) mitigates the brunt of the surge energy while the second unit (the UPS) reduces any remaining surge energy to an inconsequential level.
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