An uninterruptable power supply (UPS) is a type of backup battery that will continue to provide electrical power to the electronics that you have plugged into it even if electricity from your home outlets cuts out. Unlike a backup generator, it does not need to power up in order to start generating power. In other words, if you experience a power outage in your area, your machinery should not shut down if it is plugged into a UPS battery backup.

Many models of uninterruptible power supply USP also provide surge protection. A surge protector blocks spikes in voltage so that they do not harm your electronics. So, your battery backup is always at work, protecting your desktop computer, network equipment, or other electronic equipment and charging its battery when not in use.

While UPS power is great for avoiding a sudden shutdown, you should not expect it to power your equipment for long hours without additional electrical backup, such as a generator. The main purpose of a UPS is to give you time to switch to alternative power or properly shut down your machine.

You’ll be glad for your uninterruptible power supply UPS the next time your typical power source fails during bad weather or due to an over-extended grid. You’ll also be grateful when it saves your electronics from the bad effects of power surges, which can damage all kinds of electronics, including monitors and televisions.

As you’re shopping for your UPS power backup, take a look at what types of inputs (and how many) the device has to help you cover the electronics you want to protect. Do you need backup power with USB ports or do standard outlets meet your needs? Many models include both types of plug-ins.

You also want to see how long power will be supplied in the case of a backup. This will, of course, be impacted by how much equipment you are trying to run and what kind of work that equipment is doing. In general, the size of the battery backup will determine how much power it can provide to your devices and for how long. Remember, in order to switch to longer-lasting emergency power, you will also want to choose between a generator or a power bank.