This is a decent layman readable white paper on the various types of common UPS systems.
The different types of UPS systems
http://www.apcmedia.com/salestools/SADE-5TNM3Y_R7_EN.pdf
My current 'model' of UPS running my home system:
APC - BACKUPS 1500 XS - from ~$165-$200 -
This is a 1500VA system - which translates into 865 watt capacity. It well matches my requirements, and provides me adequate (20-30 minute, with LCD screen) time to shut my system down or keep running through brief black outs. April-June are the worst months around here - and the power problems have reduced dramatically in the past 25 years at this location as civilization starts shoving me out of my nesting area.
Note: Nomenclature and precision of wording is 'drifting' through time on these systems. Additionally, the 'system documentation' on these systems is losing it's technical precision in favor of 'marketing terms' that are tastier to the average consumer. IOTW: The exact technology being used is becoming more obfuscated over time for all these systems. One can get a 'general' feel for under-hoods - but, no longer, specifics - as one could in the past.
The lines between 'on line and stand-by' are becoming extremely blurred - this is the 'switching' versus 'non-switching' issue that I referenced in the prior post - and are the first two types in the included 'white paper' link at the first of this post.
Ciao - TMI - I know. And yes, micro, the UPS systems have HIGH QUALITY surge protection circuits in them ... as part of the overall solution.
| 
