A UPS or Uninterrupible Power Supply is a device that will generate power by other means than the normal net power. This device is particularly important for systems that need to run 24/7, and cannot be interrupted, even for a brief moment.
Generally, there are two distinct types of power supplies: online and offline. The latter will only be started once the main source of power fails. The online UPS will always run and act as a power source alltogether.
For very large devices, a fly-wheel is used to store energy, and provide the much needed energy while the power supply (mostly a generator) is started. Of course, these devices are not needed for a simple computer system. |