Patricia Kuenzle is a global Product Manager with over 20 years of experience in the UPS business, specializing in low-power UPS systems. She is passionate about developing solutions that empower businesses and meet the diverse needs of customers. Based in Switzerland, Patricia serves as the Product Owner for OEM products at ABB, where she is responsible for product strategy and development.

There’s a lot of jargon in the UPS space. But what’s essential to protect your critical data and processes? What’s important for your application, and what isn’t? It’s easy to get lost in the tech specs and come out none the wiser.

That’s why we’ve created this blog. It explains what to consider when you choose a single-phase UPS. It demystifies the most complex jargon, and helps you decide on the right model for you.

What is a ‘line-interactive UPS’? And do you need one?

This feature is about protecting your equipment and data.

Your electrical equipment is built to work with an electrical signal that’s a perfect wave. But sometimes, the power signal from the mains may surge, brownout, or experience noise. In these situations, the electrical signal is much more random. We call these ‘signal disturbances.’

Why are disturbances a problem? Well, they can damage sensitive electronics like computers, televisions, motor starters, sensors and more. Brownouts can also disrupt data transfer, resulting in data loss and file corruption.

A line-interactive UPS balances out these surges and brownouts – making sure the disturbance never reaches your equipment and can’t corrupt your data.

In other words, this feature is essential for almost all UPS applications. However, some applications may require even more protection.

What is a ‘double-conversion UPS’? And do you need one?

Double-conversion UPS units provide the highest level of power protection. They convert incoming power to direct current, then back to alternating current, to deliver to your devices. It means a perfect signal is always guaranteed.

Choose this feature if you are dealing with a high-end application like a data center or industrial equipment.

What’s a battery management system? And do you need one?

Your UPS is a lifeline – it needs to be ready to save you at any time, whenever the power fails out of the blue. But how do you know it’s ready?

Sometimes, UPS devices degrade over time. Batteries in particular can be damaged by certain conditions.

A battery management system (BMS) helps avoid this. The system actively manages the batteries in the UPS to make sure they remain safe – and last as long as possible. It regulates things like cell voltage, temperature, and current, preventing potential hazards like overcharging and overheating.

The operator can also check the health of the system in detail at any time with remote monitoring, making it easier to plan maintenance.

Single-phase UPS devices don’t always have a BMS. And even if they do, the BMS might not be explicitly designed for a UPS system. A UPS system is unique because the batteries are used very irregularly and infrequently. So, look out for manufacturers who have BMS systems that are designed for this situation.

What is flexible runtime? And do you need it?

When you initially purchase a UPS, you may only need a short period of backup power (5-10 minutes perhaps). Especially if your priority is to save files and protect data.

But your needs will likely evolve over time. Especially if you are running without a generator, you may find that you need your equipment to continue working for longer – perhaps for hours.

For this, you need a UPS to which you can add external batteries easily. It means you won’t need to purchase a new device when your needs change.

What are the different battery types? And which do I need?

Single-phase UPS devices use two main types of battery: VRLA and lithium-ion.

Generally, VRLA batteries are affordable and commonly used for standard backup. Lithium-ion models offer longer runtimes and higher efficiency.

For a full guide to choosing battery type, read our blog.

What is the environmental product declaration (EPD)? Should it matter to me?

The EPD is a document that reports the environmental impact of a product throughout its entire lifecycle. You can trust this certificate because the EPD is verified independently and measures all vendor products in a standardized way.

If you need to keep track of emissions, waste, and more for your environmental reporting, then choose a single-phase UPS with an EPD.

Uninterrupted access, versatility and quality

When protecting your power really matters, it’s important to find the right UPS for the job. That means understanding your power requirements, choosing the right spec, and working out which additional features you’ll need.

You’ll always find a perfect UPS for your needs in the ABB PowerValue range. Our single-phase UPS solutions cover all requirements – and are all tested rigorously to IEC standards.

You can add external batteries readily to all models. Plus, the devices take up less space than most competitors for a given specification. And we’ve created our own BMS system – designed specifically for UPS applications.

To learn more about the range, visit URL.