What is a UPS?

UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply) is a device that provides uninterrupted electricity to your electronic equipment (load), in case of voltage fluctuations or total power failure. It thus offers the connected cargo safety and autonomy of use.

What power should be the UPS I choose?

For choosing a UPS of suitable power the steps are simple:

1. Consult the power indicators of each device you want to protect/support, locate its power in VA and find the sum of the power of all devices together. If the power is indicated in watts or amperes, then you can easily convert it to VA with the following formulas: VA = 1.43W (when Watts are given) VA = 230 x A (when Amperes are given)

2. Choose a UPS with at least 30% more power than the power of the loads to be supported to ensure secure protection.

How long does the UPS offer my equipment?

Autonomy time refers to the amount of time provided by the UPS to save your data and turn off your devices, once the power/power from it/UPS starts. The autonomy time of each UPS is indicated on all Tescom Hellas products and to understand it, it is enough to explain the following example:

Let us say UPS 1000 VA with autonomy up to 10 minutes (50% load). This simply means that this UPS can power 500 VA equipment for 10 minutes.

In cases of high demands, the average autonomy time provided by the UPS can be enhanced by adding batteries and additional battery cabinet.

UPS or surge arresters? What is their difference?

Surge arresters protect your equipment from voltage surges, i.e. spikes or power surges. However, they are unable to protect it from undervoltage and total network drops, they do not offer autonomy since they do not have batteries, they do not have a voltage stabilizer and finally they do not filter noise. Both UPS and power strips address different protection needs of your devices.

What information/indications does UPS provide me?

Depending on its type, a UPS may tell you of the following:

• Battery status and charge level
• Input and output voltage
• Fluctuations in voltage
• Need to change battery
• Damage to the UPS

The above information is communicated by the UPS via light indicators or audible warnings.

What does a UPS protect against?

Depending on its type, each UPS is designed to protect your cargoes from one or more problems, such as:

• Power loss (power failure)
• Trend rise (short or long-term)
• Supply frequency change (The increase or decrease in the frequency of the voltage)
• Voltage transition (The instantaneous for nanoseconds power failure)
• Harmonic distortion (The very high distortion of the supply voltage)
• Undesirable noise (electromagnetic interference)

How important is UPS?

Voltage fluctuations and total network drops often cut off the power supply from the main power source to electronic devices (loads). This can damage your equipment, from losing important data to damaging systems. In these cases, the purpose of the UPS is to support the energy support of the connected load through its batteries. It provides autonomy to devices until they are safely shut down, an auxiliary generator is started or power is restored.

Which UPS category should I prefer?

Depending on the type of load you want to protect/support and its operating voltage, the most common categories of UPS are two:

Line-interactive UPS: A type of UPS with affordable cost and quality in performance. A line-interactive UPS usually produces simulated sinusoidal voltage while also feeding your load through the mains, so in the event of a power outage it takes a few milliseconds to power the device from the battery (this time is called switching time).

OnLine UPS: The most efficient type of UPS. It produces pure sinusoidal voltage, while feeding directly to the connected load through the battery, resulting in zero switching time from the core network. It offers powerful voltage stabilization, ensures continuous quality of the current that supplies the load and protects even your most sensitive devices.

What warranty do UPS have?

UPS of all series are covered by a 24-month warranty from the date of purchase, while batteries are covered by a 12-month warranty, provided that the Warranty form (coupon B) has been duly completed and signed within 10 days of the date of purchase along with a copy of the purchase invoice. In any other case, the start of the product warranty is calculated from the date of sale by our company.

The warranty of UPS products can be extended for more years, through the maintenance contract.Maintenance contracts not only extend the warranty of Tescom Hellas UPS, but also offer you a number of particularly useful services.

For more information, visit our dedicated UPS product page.

What are the ideal environmental conditions for a UPS?

Based on technical specifications, the UPS is designed to operate between 0°C-40°C and humidity conditions below 95%. However, to ensure maximum efficiency and useful life of the batteries, the UPS is recommended to operate at room temperatures, i.e. between 15°C-25°C, on a constant basis (e.g. using air conditioning).

Can a system shut down/restart while connected to a UPS?

In such a case, one of the following two scenarios is possible:

1) UPS overload. Overloading is a cause of UPS underperformance. To avoid this, it is important to know the required time to fully charge the UPS, as well as to take into account the lights or audible warnings that activate in case of overload, so that you can consult the technical department. In any case, it is important to choose UPS of appropriate specifications for the loads you want to support and consult expert opinion.

2) Discharge of batteries (batteries) of the UPS. Many times, the UPS uses the built-in battery as a load to stabilize the supplied voltage, which reduces the life of its batteries. As a result, the UPS provides a few minutes of autonomy to your devices, so that they turn off after that time. It is important to charge the UPS for 8-9 hours before first use and recharge it for 4-6 hours in order to recover 90% of its load. In addition, after a complete discharge of the batteries, they must be recharged very quickly, otherwise there may be a risk of reducing their useful life.

Should I turn off the UPS?

All Tescom Hellas UPS product lines are designed to support and protect your cargo uninterruptedly, 24 hours a day, all year round, without the need to turn them off.

What is the average battery life of UPS batteries?

The expected battery life of the UPS depends on its use and installation environment (e.g. temperature and humidity).

Any deviation of 10°C from the proposed operating limits of the UPS (15°C — 25°C), means a halving of the life of its batteries. In such a case, this aspect should be taken seriously in order to:

A) the selection of a suitable UPS with a longer expected service life, or

B) changing the conditions of the installation environment (e.g. creating ventilation) for the possibility of using batteries with a shorter lifespan.

It is recommended to replace UPS batteries every 3 years.

What is the required charging time for UPS batteries?

Before first using the UPS, it is recommended to charge its batteries for at least 8 hours. After first use, the required full charge time reaches an average of 4-6 hours depending on the battery capacity.

What noise levels does a UPS produce?

Tescom UPS are specially designed to produce the smallest possible decibels for proper and discreet operation in areas with human presence.

What is the distance between the UPS and the Data Processing Systems?

Usually UPSs, especially those operating at high frequencies, cause electromagnetic interference. This interference occurs in the input and output cables, is carried by electrical contact and is routed to the rest of the electrical network. Electromagnetic noise is also radiated creating interference with other, usually adjacent, operating machines. That's why it's important to keep a distance between the UPS and the data processing systems. Particular attention should also be paid to more sensitive devices, such as medical devices.

Who installs the UPS?

The smaller UPS units with direct connection to the PPC network do not require special knowledge or previous experience and their installation can be carried out by anyone according to the instructions provided in the user manuals and which accompany the offered ups of our company. Larger UPS require specialized and experienced personnel for their installation, which should have the corresponding certification.

What devices can I support with UPS?

UPS are an ideal solution to support home, office and industrial equipment. They offer full coverage on devices ranging from PCs and routers-modems, to critical loads such as medical equipment, laboratory equipment and data centers.

What are Racks?

Racks are the ideal place to place and store your passive (patch panel, patch cords, cables) and active telecommunications / electronic equipment (server, pc, UPS, hub, router, modem). The special construction ensures easy access and management of your equipment, protects your equipment from damage and ensures its smooth operation in your space. Their use is recommended both in professional (business, industrial) and residential premises.

What warranty do Racks have?

Racks of all series are covered by a 5-year warranty from the date of purchase, their accompanying accessories by an 8-year warranty, and fans and power strips by a 12-month warranty from the date of purchase, provided that a properly completed and signed Warranty form has been sent within 10 days from the date of purchase along with a copy of the purchase invoice.

In any other case, the start of the product warranty is calculated from the date of sale by our company.

For more information we encourage you to contact Tescom Hellas staff.

What is an Automatic Switching Device (STS)?

The Source Tranfer Switch (STS) supplies your loads seamlessly by switching between two power sources: the main line and the emergency line.

More specifically, STS sets a basic power source for your devices, based on your preferences, and in case of disturbances in it, it automatically changes the power supply to the emergency line until the first one is restored. The switching time is minimal. The STS also has an overcharge and short circuit protection system.

What warranty do Automatic Switching Devices (STS) have?

Automatic Switching Devices (STS) are accompanied by a 12-month warranty from the date of purchase, provided that the Warranty form (coupon B) has been duly completed and signed within 10 days of the date of purchase together with a copy of the purchase invoice.

In any other case, the start of the product warranty is calculated from the date of sale by our company.

What is Automatic Voltage Stabilizer (AVR)? How is it different from UPS?

Automatic Voltage Stabilizer (AVR) is a device that keeps the voltage of your equipment constant. By filtering incoming current, the Voltage Stabilizer smoothes out voltage fluctuations, ensuring the quality of the current reaching your devices while filtering out noises.

Both AVRs and UPS are systems of great importance for the energy support of your appliances. The main difference between AVRs and UPS is the lack of batteries that provide your equipment with autonomy in case of total power failure.

What guarantee do Automatic Voltage Stabilizers (AVRs) have?

AVRs of all series are covered by a 24-month warranty from the date of purchase, provided that the Warranty form (coupon B) has been duly completed and signed within 10 days of the date of purchase together with a copy of the purchase invoice. In any other case, the start of the product warranty is calculated from the date of sale by our company.

What are AGM technology VRLA lead batteries?

VRLA lead batteries with AGM technology are a common category of rechargeable batteries. Their use is widely encountered, with particular emphasis on uninterruptible energy systems such as UPS.

AGM technology VRLA batteries cover both simple and demanding needs. Indicatively, we find them in starter applications, cars, motorcycles, photovoltaics, alarms, electric toys, electric bicycles, wheelchairs, cash registers, vacuum cleaners, medical equipment and facilities, etc.

What warranty do VRLA lead batteries have with AGM technology?

The warranty of VRLA batteries varies by order of preference. Batteries of 28 Ah and below are covered by a 12-month warranty from the date of purchase, while batteries over 33 Ah come with a 24-month warranty, provided that the Warranty form is duly completed and signed within 10 days of the date of purchase along with a copy of the purchase invoice.

In any other case, the start of the product warranty is calculated from the date of sale by our company.

For more information we encourage you to contact Tescom Hellas staff.