BOM predicts above-average temperatures and increased storm activity for Queensland this summer. Thunderstorms, hail, and heavy rain are expected—conditions that heighten the risk of outages and power fluctuations.
So what does that mean for businesses? According to Gartner, outages can cost businesses up to $5,600 per minute in lost productivity and revenue. Even short interruptions can disrupt operations, damage equipment, and lead to data loss.
What Is a UPS and Why Does Your Business Need One?
An Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) is a device that provides short-term backup power when the main electricity supply fails. Unlike generators, which take time to start, a UPS kicks in instantly—protecting your equipment from sudden shutdowns and voltage fluctuations.
Beyond simply supplying backup power, a UPS also acts as a power conditioner. It regulates voltage, filters electrical noise, and protects against surges and spikes that can damage sensitive electronics. This makes it an essential safeguard for IT infrastructure, point-of-sale systems, and any equipment that cannot afford sudden shutdowns.
How Does a UPS Work?
At its core, a UPS contains a battery and an inverter. When mains power is available, the UPS charges its battery while supplying clean, regulated power to connected devices. If the mains power fails, the inverter converts stored battery energy into AC power, which is delivered to your equipment instantly. This seamless transition prevents data loss and hardware damage.
Modern UPS systems often include advanced features such as LCD status panels, network management cards for remote monitoring, and smart alerts that notify you of battery health or power events. Some models even allow integration with building management systems for centralised control.
Key Benefits of a UPS
- Instant Power Transfer: Switches to battery power in 2–10 milliseconds during an outage.
- Continuous Power Quality: Online UPS systems provide clean, stable power at all times.
- Surge Protection: Shields against spikes caused by lightning or grid fluctuations.
- Battery Backup: Provides enough time to save work, shut down systems, or switch to a generator.
- Extended Runtime Options: External battery packs can increase backup time from minutes to hours.
- Monitoring & Alerts: Many modern UPS units include LCD panels and network management cards for remote monitoring.
Types of UPS Systems
There are three main types of UPS systems, each suited to different environments:
- Standby (Offline) UPS is the most basic type, ideal for protecting individual PCs or small network devices. It provides surge protection and battery backup but does not regulate voltage during normal operation.
- Line-Interactive UPS offers additional voltage regulation, making it suitable for environments where power fluctuations are common. This type is often used for small servers, network switches, and office IT equipment.
- Online (Double-Conversion) UPS provides the highest level of protection. It continuously converts incoming AC power to DC and back to AC, ensuring clean, stable power at all times. This type is essential for mission-critical systems such as data centers, medical equipment, and high-end manufacturing processes.
A basic UPS suitable for a PC and network gear starts at around $300 in Australia.
These entry-level models typically provide 5–15 minutes of backup, enough to save work and shut down safely or bridge short outages.
Best Practices for UPS Deployment
When planning to install a UPS, start by calculating the total load of the devices you need to protect. It’s wise to choose a unit with at least 20–30% extra capacity to accommodate future growth. Regular testing is essential—perform battery checks and simulate outages to ensure your UPS will perform when needed. For critical systems, consider redundancy by deploying multiple UPS units or using an N+1 configuration to eliminate single points of failure.
With Queensland businesses facing a stormy, high-risk summer. A UPS is a cost-effective way to protect your equipment, data, and revenue from costly interruptions, it’s an affordable safeguard for critical systems.
Ready to Stay Powered Through Any Storm?
FortiTech can help you choose the right UPS solution for your needs—whether it’s a simple unit for your office or a robust system for mission-critical infrastructure. Contact us today to get expert advice and tailored recommendations.