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Power interruptions are annoying when watching your favourite live TV show, but they can also cause expensive and sometimes irreversible damage to your electronics. As South Africa faces load shedding and grid instability, with extended energy outages affecting a large part of the country, it’s never been more critical to protect your TV system with an uninterruptible power supply (UPS).
Learn how these solutions can protect the significant investments you’ve made in your home electronics, which can be especially sensitive and vulnerable to power-related issues. Plus, find a shopping guide to help you make the right UPS buying decision.
What Is an Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS)?
A UPS is a sophisticated device that protects the power supply and is a vital intermediary between your TV and the unstable South African electricity grid. One UPS combines several power protection technologies within the unit, conditioning the energy reaching your TV while providing instant backup support when required.
Unlike a surge protector, a UPS actively monitors energy flow to your electronics and responds instantly to fluctuating power conditions so your TV only receives a clean, steady flow of energy regardless of what’s happening in the grid. It also allows for a seamless transition to backup power when outages strike, so you can turn off your TV correctly or potentially even continue watching your programs until the grid comes back on.
How Does a UPS Work?
A UPS utilises a multi-stage protection system, starting by conditioning the energy that comes through. By monitoring frequency and voltage, it can make instant adjustments to ensure optimal, consistent output.
When connected to the grid, the UPS uses a converter system, much like an inverter, to condition the electricity, removing noise and smoothing out fluctuations. The conditioned power gets sent to your TV and simultaneously charges the UPS’ internal battery.
When it registers a loss of the grid connection, the UPS springs into action, immediately transitioning the TV to draw from its reserved power supply. It protects the TV from surge damage, lets you shut it off properly, and preserves your equipment.
Modern UPS systems, like those integrated with the EcoFlow Smart Home Panel, use advanced conversion technology called double conversion technology, which converts incoming AC power to DC power for storage. Then, before delivering the energy to your devices, it converts it back to usable AC energy.
This “online conversion” process protects your equipment at the highest level, eliminating a direct connection to the grid to isolate and resolve irregularities before passing the energy current to your TV. You can even enhance the system further and minimise reliance on the grid by adding the EcoFlow PowerStream MicroInverter, which leverages solar energy as part of your backup solution for an extra layer of security.
Why Should You Use a UPS for Your TV?
Modern TV sets require stable, clean energy to perform properly and last long. Their internal power supplies and processing components are susceptible to fluctuations, and sudden blackouts can corrupt system software. Voltage spikes are another threat, potentially permanently damaging components of the TV’s hardware.
All of this is reason enough to invest in a UPS to protect your TV, but adding the increasing integration of streaming services and smart TV systems strengthens the case even further. Unexpected blackouts or power changes can potentially damage the system’s memory or corrupt data that you rely on.
How a UPS Helps with Load Shedding and Power Outages
An outage threatens your modern TV, whether on purpose or unexpected. However, if you have a robust UPS connected to it, you can protect the device and its functionality from these unforeseen circumstances.
Advanced solutions not only prevent instant damage when a blackout occurs but can also provide extended backup times so you can continue watching TV despite the length of the outage. This becomes critical during important broadcasts, gaming, or sporting events.
By connecting a UPS to a more extensive battery backup, like EcoFlow Portable Power Stations or the EcoFlow Smart Generator (Dual Fuel), you can continue using your TV as usual despite the status of the larger energy grid.
While the convenience of maintaining your entertainment experience is a plus, the most critical role a UPS plays is allowing time for proper system shutdown. Once you realise you’re experiencing an outage, your UPS will keep your TV running so you can shut it down manually and avoid losing important data or progress.
What Are the Advantages of a UPS?
A UPS protects your TV and other electronics using advanced voltage regulation technology, which conditions incoming electricity and resolves fluctuations. It also acts as a power bridge, drawing from its internal battery to keep your TV on when outages strike, allowing you the time to safely turn off your TV and save any progress or data.
Not only does a UPS protect the TV’s hardware and sensitive internal software, but it also expands the device’s lifespan and ensures consistent performance. You’ll avoid annoyances like distorted audio, a flickering screen, or unexplained crashes. It also protects any devices connected to your TV, such as streaming add-ons or sound systems.
What Factors Should You Consider When Looking for a UPS?
Are you in the market for a UPS to protect your TV’s delicate infrastructure? Here’s what to consider when comparing options.
Power Capacity
Calculate your total electricity needs by adding the maximum wattages of all the devices you plan to connect to the UPS. Modern TVs use 100-200 watts, but complete entertainment systems require more power. Add a 20-30% buffer for ideal capacity to determine a UPS or inverter size that will allow for future expansion.
Battery Life
Consider both the battery lifespan and backup duration here. Traditional UPS systems can provide anywhere from ten to 30 minutes of additional runtime, but advanced options can offer hours of backup. You also must consider the battery’s lifespan to ensure it will last you long enough for the investment to be worth it.
Output Waveform
To care for sensitive electronics, look for a pure sine output. It offers the cleanest power delivery and replicates the utility company’s natural waveform, which is ideal for sensitive electronics vulnerable to interference.
Charging Speed
If your home experiences frequent blackouts, look for a UPS that can charge quickly so it is ready to go as often as needed.
Safety Features
Additional safety features, such as overcharge protection and remote monitoring (like through the EcoFlow app), can also safeguard these delicate electronic systems.
Frequently Asked Questions
While a TV can work without a UPS, people who live in an area with frequent voltage fluctuations or an unreliable power supply should integrate a UPS to protect the TV from damage and preserve its functionality and lifespan. This is especially important for modern smart TVs, which are more vulnerable to electricity issues.
Final Thoughts
If you live in South Africa and want to protect your investment in your TV and entertainment system, a UPS is the next crucial piece of equipment to add.
Whether you choose a basic UPS that simply allows you time to shut down your TV or opt for an advanced solution like the EcoFlow Smart Home Panel, consider your specific needs and power requirements to ensure you get what you’re looking for.