The back-up emergency generator market is booming. Folks are starting to understand that outages happen and are getting more and more costly. So, a generator that can handle critical loads for an extended time can be a great business investment.
Just get a generator and you’re all set, right? Not quite.
Generators often support critical IT and automation loads. And those loads often have a small uninterruptable power supply (UPS) to keep them up during electrical glitches. Sounds like a match made in heaven. Except … not all UPS types work with a generator.
There are three types of UPS and a use for each type:
- Standby – This unit has the lowest price tag – with good reason. IT provides switch to batter during an outage only. It offers no voltage regulation or filtering whatsoever. You’re running off the utility.
- Line interactive – A voltage regulator interacts with the utility line to buck the voltage down or boost it up.
- Online, sometimes called dual conversion – This unit creates a brand new sinusoidal wave -that’s computer grade and clean of impurities.
So which UPS plays well with a generator?
Only the online UPS is compatible with a backup generator and keeps on trucking under Genset power. The standby and line interactive units will go into back-up mode, run and deplete the battery, and then alarm.
If you want clean power, install a dual conversion online UPS. And to be safe, make sure you have adequate surge suppression on the transfer switch and electrical panels serving those critical loads. Winter is coming and bringing its weather-related power outages.
specializes in UPS systems and has been a CBG partner for years. We continue to be impressed with the quality of these systems. Our UPS products range from very small to very large in all three types.
Now is a good time to check your UPS batteries and generator compatibility. Give us a call at 479-244-0480. At CBG, we’re always happy to answer questions and help you find the best way to protect your business.