UPSD - Uninterruptible Power Supply Devices A.M.F. amfilip@public.srce.hr electrical 1. INTRODUCTION Occasionally even in the most developed countries power blackouts occur. Today, power blackout is very common appearance, and the voltage quality is not at envious level. Because of that, usage of an UPS device should be an interesting option. Computer users usually know the components of which the computer consists from, but very small amount of them knows that for the correct work of these devices quality AV 220V and 50Hz frequency is reqired. Here are described the advantages of an UPS device and dangers from which such a device protects us. 2. VARIETY OF DANGERS 2.1. Voltage spikes They occur as a thunderbolt strike consequence in shape of very short voltage jump whose amplitude goes as high as thousand volts above the default net voltage. They can, without problems by passing through the socket cause great damage inside the computer. Experience has shoved that the most efficient voltage spikes removers are net interactive UPS devices whose working principal is ferroresonancy. Produced damages don't have to be visible instantly (writeable media overmagnetisation), but of course can (integrated circuitry burnout). 2.2. Voltage strikes Short time duration voltage strikes whose power is few hundered volts higher than default net voltage occur when a device which is great net current consumptor is turned on or off. Damage that is caused is similar to the one caused by voltage spikes. Long and frequent voltage strikes can cause nonnegligible damage to the computer equipment. 2.3. Voltage dilapidation They are just the opposite to voltage strikes. Typical voltage dilapidations are in 20% margin below the nominal socket voltage. They can significantly damage the computer and cause computer to block. Sudden voltage dilapidations cause momentary erasation of informations content which are stored in computer memory. Momentary dilapidations of net voltage have negative affect on both hard and floppy disk drives. 2.4. Subvoltage Subvoltage is longterm state of low net socket voltage (15% below nominal value). Cause are malformations in distributive net. Consequences of subvoltage are visible on all computer components. Informations vanish from memory, hard disk is rotated with less RPTU and picture displayed on monitor is flickery. Proposed solution is purchase of an UPS device with enough battery capacity. 2.5. Harmonical distortions They occur during work of impulse current consumptors. Such devices are xerox machines, telefaxes and motors with regulable RPTU. Connection of an nonlinear consumptor to the same socket as computer could cause various irregularities in computer's work. For right UPS device choice it is good to know input-output voltage and current distortion's of that UPS device. 3. CONCLUSION Every computer user should consider buying an UPSD, because it can pay itself out during just one stormy night. And, when you think over they are not so expensive at all ($270 ÷ $1300), considering that they can save vital parts (if not all) of your computer. At the end, I would like to recommend some manufacturers to help you find the right one for you: "Best Power", "Victron", "MGE UPS Sytems" and "APC".