The difference between online UPS and interactive UPS
Release time: 2025-04-02
Online UPS and interactive UPS are two common uninterruptible power supply technologies, which have significant differences in working principles, performance and application scenarios.
Detailed comparison:
Online UPS
Dual conversion technology: always convert AC power to DC power, and then invert it to pure AC power output, and the load is completely powered by the inverter.
Zero switching time: even if the mains power is normal, the load is always powered by the inverter, so there is no need to switch when the mains power is interrupted or fluctuates, achieving seamless protection.
Continuous filtering: completely isolates interference such as voltage fluctuations, frequency fluctuations, harmonics, etc., and the output power quality is the highest.
Interactive UPS
Passive + automatic voltage regulation: under normal circumstances, the load is directly powered by the mains power, and the voltage rise and fall is automatically adjusted through the built-in transformer.
Limited switching time: when the mains power is interrupted, the UPS will switch to battery inverter mode, which usually takes 2-10 milliseconds to switch.
No interference isolation: the filtering ability of frequency fluctuations and harmonics is weak, and the output voltage quality depends on the mains power.
Key performance comparison
| Features | Online UPS | Interactive UPS |
| Power quality | Stable | Reliant on mains power |
| Switching time | Zero switching | Millisecond switching |
| Efficiency | Lower | Higher |
| Heat dissipation and noise | Larger | Smaller |
| Price | Higher | Lower |
| Battery usage frequency | High | Low |
Typical application scenarios
Online UPS
Key equipment: Stable online UPS is mostly used in data centers, medical equipment, industrial control systems, high-end servers and other scenarios with extremely high power quality requirements.
Harsh power grid environment: areas with large voltage fluctuations, unstable frequency or severe harmonics.
Interactive UPS
Ordinary commercial/home use: office computers, network equipment, household appliances and other medium and low power devices that are not sensitive to switching time.
Areas with relatively stable power grids: suitable for environments with occasional voltage fluctuations but stable frequency.
Other differences
Battery life: The battery life of an online UPS may be shortened due to continuous use of the battery; the battery of an interactive UPS is only activated when the power is off, and the life is longer.
Complexity: The circuit of an online UPS is more complex and the maintenance cost is higher; the interactive UPS has a simple structure and is easy to maintain.
Power range: Online UPS is usually used for medium and high power above 1kVA, while interactive UPS is more common in small and medium power below 5kVA.
If the budget is limited, the power grid is relatively stable, and the equipment can tolerate a short switching time, such as ordinary PCs, routers, etc., you can choose a high-efficiency interactive UPS.If the equipment is extremely sensitive to power outages or quality, such as precision instruments and critical IT infrastructure, you can choose an online UPS.
