glossary
AC efficiency
Ratio between the UPS output power and the input power from the AC mains.
AC mains
Electricity (alternating current – AC) supplied by a utility company.AH
Battery capacity unit (ampere-hours).Ampere (Amp or A)
Unit of electric current.AVR – Automatic Voltage Regulator
An AVR, or Automatic Voltage Regulator, regulates the input voltage by providing a stable output voltage.
Battery charging current
Current used to charge the battery, which is regulated from the mains input by the circuitry integrated in the UPS.
Blackout
Total loss of electricity. According to some sources, a blackout is considered a voltage drop below 80V, since many devices do not operate at those levels.Buck and Boost
A regulator that adjusts the UPS output voltage. When the voltage is below normal conditions, the UPS boosts the output voltage. When the voltage is above normal values, the UPS reduces (bucks) the output voltage.
Cold start
The UPS can start directly from the battery without being connected to the power grid. It can also be referred to as DC start.
Communication
The UPS can communicate with a computer to allow it to perform a controlled automatic shutdown of the system. This is typically done when there is a power failure and the UPS battery capacity is about to be depleted.
DC efficiency
Ratio between the UPS output power and the input power from the batteries when operating in battery mode.
DC voltage
It is usually used to refer to the battery voltage.Electromagnetic Interference (EMI)
Unwanted electrical noise during the operation of a power supply or any other electrical or electronic device.
Fast charging
It is a fast battery charging system designed to shorten charging time. In this case, the designer applies advanced charging control technology so that the battery is not damaged.
Frequency
The number of complete cycles per second. It is defined as Hertz (Hz). Electrical systems typically operate at AC frequencies of 50 or 60 Hz.
Harmonic distortion
Distortion of an electrical sine wave caused by the power supplies of some electronic devices. Mathematical representation of the distortion of a pure sine wave.
Hot-swappable batteries
The user can easily replace the UPS batteries without shutting down the UPS.Intelligent Battery Management (IBM)
IBM: Acronym for “Intelligent Battery Management.” Intelligent battery management controls charging and discharging to achieve longer runtime and extend battery life.
Inverter
A power supply that provides an AC output, typically from a DC input.
Isolation
Two circuits that are completely electrically isolated with respect to DC potentials and, in most cases, also AC potentials. In power supplies, it is defined as the electrical separation between the input and output paths of the transformer.
Inverter
A power supply that provides an AC output, typically from a DC input.
Leakage current
A term referring to the current that flows between the AC supply conductors and ground. It does not necessarily indicate a fault condition. In power supplies, leakage current refers to the 60 Hz current that flows through EMI filter capacitors connected between the AC lines and ground (Y capacitors).
Line-interactive UPS
It is a type of UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply) that operates in “standby” mode most of the time but includes a transformer that regulates the voltage until it exceeds a set threshold. If this threshold is exceeded, the UPS can support the connected load until the voltage returns or the batteries are depleted.
Manual bypass switch
Unwanted electrical noise during the operation of a power supply or any other electrical or electronic device.
MOV
Metal Oxide Varistors (MOVs) are integrated into circuits to control voltage spikes. They are commonly found in power strips. If you see more than two, it usually indicates a fairly high-quality power strip. They resemble wider disc capacitors.
No-load shutdown
The UPS will automatically shut down when there is a power failure and no loads are connected. The purpose of this function is to extend the battery’s lifespan.
Nominal voltage
Standard value assigned to a circuit in order to properly designate its voltage class.
Off-line UPS
A type of UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply), also known as a standby UPS, that remains in standby mode supplying little or no power until the input voltage exceeds a set threshold. If this threshold is exceeded, the UPS can support the connected load until the voltage returns or the batteries are depleted.
On-line UPS (double conversion)
A type of UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply) that continuously converts incoming AC power to DC and then inverts the DC back to AC. This double-conversion process prevents electrical disturbances from reaching the protected loads. The UPS batteries support the load if conditions exceed a set threshold.
Overvoltage
A substantial increase in voltage that lasts for a very short fraction of a second, often caused when high-power appliances, such as air conditioners, start operating.
Power cord
Cable for supplying AC power to the UPS. It typically contains three wires: Line, Neutral, and Ground.
Power factor PF
PF: Siglas del ingles «Power-Factor». Relación entre potencia real o activa y potencia aparente en un circuito AC. En la tecnología de conversión de potencia, el factor de potencia se usa junto con la descripción de la corriente de entrada AC a la fuente de alimentación.
Power failure
Total loss of the power grid. Causes all electrical equipment to shut down.
Power outlet
A socket into which a plug can be inserted to make an electrical connection.
Pulse Width Modulation (PWM):
PWM: Acronym for “Pulse-width Modulation.” It is a circuit that controls the amount of energy delivered to the load. It is used to regulate power supplies in which the frequency remains constant while the pulse width varies, controlling both line and load changes with minimal power dissipation.
Rack-mount UPS
A UPS that can be mounted in a rack cabinet.Radio Frequency Interference (RFI)
RFI: Acronym for “Radio Frequency Interference.” It is unwanted noise generated by a power supply or any other electrical or electronic device during operation. In the context of power supplies, RFI usually has the same meaning as EMI (see Electromagnetic Interference).
Replaceable batteries
User-replaceable batteries allow the user to easily replace the UPS batteries. The typical battery lifespan is around 2 to 3 years.
Runtime
The length of time a UPS can supply power to electrical devices during a power outage. It is measured in minutes and calculated from the moment of the outage until the battery is depleted.
Spike
A very high increase in voltage over a very short period of time, often caused by a lightning strike on a power line or when power is restored after a blackout.
Spike and surge protector
A circuit that either cuts off the power supply or clamps the output outlets in the event of overvoltage conditions. These circuits consist of MOVs, capacitors, inductors, etc., to suppress surges and spikes.
Serial port
Communication port for data transmission between the PC and a device. A special serial cable is required to connect the UPS to the PC.
Transfer time
The time it takes for an off-line or line-interactive UPS to detect a power interruption and switch the output supply to the battery.
USB port
Communication port for data transmission between the PC and a device. Data transfer between the USB ports of the UPS and the PC is carried out using a USB cable.
UPS – Uninterruptible Power Supply
A device that provides a continuous supply of power to connected equipment, delivering it from an alternative source when mains electricity is not available.
Volt-ampere (VA)
Voltage (V) multiplied by current. Apparent power.Volt (V)
Unit of measurement of voltage.Voltage drop
A drop in voltage levels that can last from fractions of a second to several hours. It can be caused by connecting high-consumption devices to the power line, such as tools, elevators, compressors, etc. It can also occur when utility companies deliberately reduce voltage to manage peak demand. It can be detected by the flickering of light bulbs.
Voltage spike
Sobretensión transitoria (corto plazo) P. ej. Pico o sobretensión. Provoca desgaste o daño grave a los equipos electrónicos.
Watt (W)
Unit of measurement of real power. Watt (W) = VA × Power Factor.