1. What is a UPS?
Generally, a UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply) is a device that contains batteries to provide backup power to your equipment in the event of a power loss. It connects between a power source (A/C wall outlet, power strip, etc.) and an electronic device (computer, server, phone equipment, etc.) to prevent power losses and disturbances that would affect equipment performance and loss of vital data.

2. What is a Power Disturbance?
Power can easily become corrupted and contaminated. In addition, utility power is often erratic producing too little, too much, or no power at all. Whenever any of these problems are induced into the power we call them disturbances. Power disturbances can cause damage to equipment as well as loss of data, function, and time.

3. How can a UPS help me?
If it is the right system, the UPS can protect and enhance the performance of connected equipment, as well as provide uninterrupted emergency power in times of power loss.

4. What is a "Right System"?
Unfortunately, well-spent marketing dollars have confused many buyers in need of backup protection. Most understand the concept; few understand the details. The sad fact is that most of the products readily available in the marketplace offer minimal protection and can actually cause damage to your equipment. The "Right System" is one that will:

• Isolate Utility Power from connected equipment and supplement low-voltage and over voltage conditions
• Filter harmonics
• Generate "Perfect sine wave power"
• Regulate Output voltages and frequency
• Allow extended backup times for use and shutdown in times of power loss

5. What is available?
There are three basic types of UPS technologies offered. They are:

• Standby A Standby UPS is often referred to as an off-line power supply. With a Standby system, power comes directly from an A/C outlet until the power is interrupted. After the power fails, a battery-   powered inverter almost immediately begins to produce power. Standby units are relatively inexpensive but are often ineffective in providing a pure power source. Prolonged operation in battery mode can cause damage to connected equipment.
• Line-Interactive Line-Interactive UPS units are similar to Standby UPS, however the unit provides a voltage boost and/or buck (decrease) without accessing the batteries when power supplies dip or increase. Some Line-Interactive units provide minimal protection from power spikes and surges.
• On-Line On-Line UPSs produce the highest quality of power protection by using a double-conversion process that isolates utility power. The UPS takes the incoming A/C power and re-generates it continuously through conversion processes. This regeneration process eliminates noise, bumps, or surges before converting the power back to A/C. Since power runs continuously through the inverter, it is always on-line and there is no transfer or switching time to battery mode in the event of a blackout. The quality of an On-Line UPS system can be rated by the quality of output power, efficiency, and backup time it provides.

6. How long can equipment keep running on a UPS?
This is determined by the quality, efficiency, and features of the UPS systems as well as the amount of equipment connected to the UPS.

7. What is meant by the term, "High Frequency Power Generation?"
High Frequency Power Generation refers to the resolution by which the inverter can generate a sine wave. The higher the resolution the more clean and complete the sine wave. Power Innovations' inverters generate at a 50KHz speed, more than twice the speed of what is currently available in the market. This means that the sine wave generated has increased resolution -- cleaner, smoother, with little to no distortion.

8. What is a sine wave?
A sine wave is an oscillating form or package by which energy is delivered. It allows the transmission of energy across long distances with minimal losses. As the energy oscillates positive to negative, it does so in a smooth, natural way.

A sine wave is the most expensive output form for UPS manufacturers to produce. Curves are harder to create than straight lines. This type of waveform is what all AC equipment prefers. Anything other than a pure sine wave can cause additional wear and damage, and potential malfunction.

9. What is a bypass function?
In a UPS scenario, a bypass feature is in essence, a switch between the input and output of the device. It allows the routing or transfer of incoming power to the output bypassing any internal circuitry. The bypass function uses the A/C supply power as its standby source of power. This feature allows power to continue to flow to connected equipment if the UPS system encounters an internal error or overload condition. The UPS system will automatically transfer to the by-pass quickly to ensure that the connected equipment continues to operate.

10. How do Power Innovations products differ from the others?
The Power Innovations UPQ (Uninterruptible Power Quality) systems are next-generation systems which provide continuous perfect power. They are designed to do much more than traditional UPS systems.

The technology allows high-resolution perfect power generation at reduced size, weight and heat while incorporating advanced management and control features. The systems are designed to eliminate and isolate all power problems continuously to connected equipment. They are also designed to incorporate the new Empowerment Features being developed by Power Innovations. Please take a moment and view the product section detailing the Q-Line Series of Perfect Power™ systems.

11. Where can I purchase?
See How to Buy.