Short answer: a UPS (uninterruptible power supply) keeps your servers, network and phones running through a power cut and protects them from surges and dips. APC by Schneider Electric is one of the best known makes. We supply, install and maintain them for our clients, because servers, network cabinets and comms rooms are the first things to suffer from a power cut, and a sudden loss can corrupt data and damage equipment.
Where a UPS matters most
Anything that must not simply switch off belongs on a UPS. In most offices that means the server, the network cabinet and the equipment that keeps phones and Wi-Fi working.
| Equipment | Why it needs protection | What goes wrong without it |
|---|---|---|
| Servers | They are writing data all the time and need a clean shutdown | Corrupted databases and files, long recovery, possible restore from backup |
| Network cabinets and comms rooms | Switches, firewalls and routers connect everything else | The whole office loses internet, Wi-Fi and phones even if the cut is only a second |
| Storage (NAS and SAN) | Disks are mid-write when power fails | Damaged volumes and failed disks |
| Phone systems and PoE switches | They power desk phones and Wi-Fi access points | No calls, no Wi-Fi, no way to reach customers |
| Backup devices | A backup running during a cut may fail | Backups that look complete but are not |
| Door entry, CCTV and alarms | Security equipment should survive a cut | Gaps in security exactly when the building is most vulnerable |
Why it matters
| Risk without a UPS | What can happen |
|---|---|
| Sudden power loss | Servers crash and databases or files can be corrupted |
| Voltage spikes and dips | Hardware wears out or fails early |
| Short brownouts | Switches, routers and phones restart and everyone loses connection |
| No warning | Nobody knows the power failed until things stop working |
Choosing the right type
| Type | Good for | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Standby (offline) | Single PCs, simple set-ups | Switches to battery when power fails, basic protection |
| Line-interactive | Small offices, network cabinets, small servers | Corrects minor voltage swings without using the battery |
| Online double-conversion | Servers, critical systems | Constantly powers equipment from the inverter, so there is no switchover |
What we supply and look after
- Work out your loadAdd up what must stay powered, in watts not just VA.
- Pick runtime and typeEnough battery time to shut down safely or ride through short cuts.
- Install and connectRack or tower, correct power feeds and network management.
- Set up shutdown and alertsServers shut down cleanly and we are told about faults.
- Replace batteries on timeUPS batteries wear out, so we track age and test them.
Sources and further reading
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