Data Protection

• Abrupt power losses damage, corrupt and even destroy data. While a variety of autosave features in some programs limit these problems, autosave does not solve the problem. Most autosave features default to some defined period of time, ten minutes for example. Any changes made after the last autosave evaporates at the loss in power. A backup power supply feeds electricity to the computer in the event of catastrophic power loss. This allows the end-user to save and close any open files, which protects the data for later use.
  
  

Equipment Protection

• Electronic equipment responds badly to power spikes and losses. In the worst case scenario, components burn out or fail. Even with off-site, data storage options limiting data accessibility problems, equipment repair and replacement costs often run high. Many backup power supplies provide surge protection that prevents power spikes from damaging the sometimes delicate components in computer systems.
  
  

Program Protection

• Power spikes and losses damage computer programs and even operating systems in extreme scenarios. Computers hold working data, such as the text in open word processing file, in RAM (random access memory). When the power goes out, the RAM empties and this constitutes much of data loss from power outages. Computers physically store the files that govern the operating system and programs on the hard drive. Power fluctuations that damage the physical disks in the hard drive make the data stored there inaccessible. Backup power supplies often prevent such damage.
  
  

Enhanced Productivity

• Backup power supplies enhance productivity in two key ways. By allowing people time to save their work, backup power supplies prevent the unnecessary repetition of tasks. Workers can pick right up where they left off when power returns. By preventing unnecessary damage to computer systems, backup power supplies limit the downtime associated with repairing or replacing equipment.
  
  

Considerations

• As with most products, backup power supplies come in several types with a variety of features. Some provide only power, while others provide surge protection and double conversion alternating current. Double conversion refers to a backup power supply converting from alternating to direct current and back again prior to feeding perfect alternating current to plugged-in devices. The exact feature set of any backup power supply should be considered carefully prior to purchase and use.