What is a no break and how does it differ from a UPS?

5 September, 2025

Voltage fluctuations and power outages are a constant occurrence at different times of the year. Whether due to installation problems, the age of the installation, or unexpected storms. It is necessary to protect our devices from these problems. To achieve this goal, there are different UPS options on the market. However, it is necessary to understand the major differences between a No Break, interactive UPS, and double conversion online UPS in order to make a smart purchase that is focused on our needs.

What is a No Break and how does it differ from a UPS?

A No Break regulator is also called a Standby. It works by including batteries within its mechanism, which provide electrical power when there is a power outage or a short-term interruption in the electricity supply.

It has an approximate transfer time of 4 to 8 milliseconds before the battery kicks in.

It is a system suitable for small offices and home offices, as it does not have the power to work with business machines or larger computers.

Meanwhile, a UPS, or uninterruptible power supply, serves as a power source for devices connected to this system.

It also has the technology to regulate voltage and provide greater protection for various devices for hours. Its use is varied and can be a perfect support in hospitals, data centers, and various industries.

Different types of UPS and their specific benefits

Now that we know a little about the differences between the various types of UPS and the main use of a No Break, it’s time to learn about the different types of these devices on the market and the benefits each one offers.

No Break or Stand By devices offer essential protection, as they do not regulate voltage and are used exclusively when there is a power loss. They provide a solution to basic problems such as blackouts, momentary low voltage, and voltage spikes.

  • Line-interactive UPS. These go one step further than No Break, as they can offer professional protection. This type of device offers voltage regulation at all times and includes a small inductor to support this task. In addition, it has a transfer time of 1 to 4 milliseconds or 4 to 6 milliseconds, allowing large devices to remain online in the event of a power outage. On the other hand, they offer solutions to problems such as power outages, momentary and prolonged low voltages, voltage spikes, and surges. They help to better protect our devices in small offices, points of sale, and closed-circuit television or camera systems.
  • Double conversion online UPSs represent the highest level of protection against unstable voltage and power supply problems. These types of devices are a much higher level than No Break devices. They offer extraordinary voltage regulation, as they perform a double conversion of electrical energy, first converting it to direct current and then to alternating current. In addition, it is ideal for critical applications in hospitals, industries, data centers, among others. Because its response time to a power failure is 0, the online UPS is ideal for preventing operational failures in highly sensitive equipment and maintaining productivity.

What is the difference between a No Break and an Online UPS?

While a no break provides basic power solutions, the double conversion online UPS offers effective solutions for the nine most common electrical system failures. It protects your devices from phenomena and unforeseen events such as power outages, momentary and sustained low voltage, momentary and sustained high voltage, voltage spikes, frequency variation, electrical noise, and harmonic distortion.

In other words, there is no better system for ensuring a longer service life for our electronic equipment than a double conversion online UPS. Although it is more expensive, it provides the protection that companies of all sizes need.

Understanding each technology is essential for choosing the right power backup solution for your needs.

No break vs UPS

Size considerations you should be aware of

Regardless of the type of UPS you decide to purchase, whether it is an Online Double Conversion, an Uninterruptible Power Supply, or an Interactive UPS, it is important to keep in mind where you want to place it, as this is a fundamental point when purchasing any of these systems. Remember that this location must meet certain technical requirements for these systems to function properly.

  • Desktop UPS: This type of UPS is ideal for protecting computers and small systems. Its size allows it to be easily placed on a desk or in small spaces.
  • Tower devices: These have a vertical design and are placed on the floor. They are mainly used in network workstations due to the practicality of their design.
  • Rack-mount models: These UPS are used to protect a company’s servers and network. This keeps the data essential to a company’s work protected. These devices can be installed in standard 19-inch cabinets.
  • Larger UPS: These systems are the best option for protecting large devices such as ATMs, data centers, large computers, and other applications. Therefore, they require more space for installation.

What should you consider before buying?

It is best to be sure before making a purchase. It is necessary to know the different methods that exist to protect our electronic equipment from major unforeseen events. Although it may seem like a very high expense, the reality is that it is not necessary to make such a large investment. You just need good advice and to trust the experts.

At Industronic, we have the best solutions to protect your electronic devices from any voltage problems. Discover our wide range of solutions for your company or office, including our double conversion UPS systems, which will provide you with a whole new level of protection.

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Consult our experts if you have any questions or would like a quote

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