Charging station or uninterruptible power supply system: which is better to choose in case of a blackout

Due to the full-scale aggression of Russia, hostilities are ongoing in Ukraine. According to experts, this winter may be difficult. The enemy will try to leave Ukrainians without electricity. Some of our citizens are preparing for winter and are stocking up on food and buying the necessary appliances. The YASNO company told us what is better to choose in case of power outages. uninterruptible power supply (UPS) or portable charging station

Popular devices include portable charging stations and uninterruptible power supply (UPS).

If you need to choose such a device, it is important to first answer the following questions:

• What are the needs: protection of important electronic equipment from voltage surges or just an autonomous power source
• Should the device be mobile or is it needed for stationary use
• How long should the backup power device work
• How much electricity do all the devices you plan to connect consume

What are the advantages of portable charging stations

Experts explained that such devices allow you to power/charge various electrical appliances anywhere.

Depending on the power and capacity, they are suitable for charging smartphones, laptops, fans, lighting, as well as refrigerators and heaters.

«The main purpose of the station is to provide power to devices, including if there is a need to do this on the road. It is ideal for camping, outdoor activities and emergency situations when there is no access to the power grid. That is, it is a mobile device», – the message says.

YASNO explained that the stations come in different sizes, but they are usually quite compact and have a handle for carrying from one place to another (this applies to smaller models), while larger ones have wheels for maneuverability. As for charging, the stations can be charged via AC outlets, car chargers, and solar panels.

«Portable power stations have different capacities, which are usually measured in watt-hours (W·h) or ampere-hours (A·h) and power, which is measured in watts, kW. The higher the power of the station, the more devices it can power, and the higher the capacity – the longer it can provide them with electricity», – the message says.

Experts added that portable power stations can often maintain power output for several hours or even days, depending on the power of the devices connected and the total capacity of the battery.

When it is better to choose uninterruptible power supply systems

Such systems are installed in the premises on a stationary basis. There should be a permanent place for them. 

«As for connecting the UPS, it is arranged a little differently compared to the charging station. The UPS cuts into the current power supply scheme, assuming a certain buffering role. The inverter used in UPS systems has at least two connection lines. The first – is called an input and the network is connected to it. The second is called the output and a redundant load is connected to it», – the message says.

In normal operation mode, when there is voltage in the central power grid, the UPS will pass through its first line, that is, its input, the voltage from the central power grid to redundant consumers (those that will be powered by the UPS). When this voltage disappears, in the middle of the inverter, a conditional AVR is automatically activated and the power supply of reserved consumers begins to take place from AKB (batteries). Switching time is less than 20 ms.

UPS power is usually measured in watts or kW and determines the maximum load.

« The duration of UPS operation directly depends on the power of the inverter, and the backup time – from the capacity of the battery system that is connected to this inverter », – the message says.