MGE rolls out UPSes for small businesses, home networks

MGE last week announced two uninterruptible power supplies for protecting small business and home networks.

The Nova AVR 600 and 1100VA are line-interactive UPSes that can be remotely managed from a Web browser or via the Simple Network Management Protocol.

Line-interactive UPSes use an inverter/converter to replace the battery charger, inverter and source selection switch. The inverter/converter charges the battery and converts power from DC to AC. When power is available, the inverter/converter charges the battery; if the power fails, the battery provides the power to the server or workstation. An offline UPS is more commonly used with low-end gear – when power fails, the UPS detects the lack of power and connects the battery.

MGE also includes a Network Management Proxy agent with the AVR 600 and 1100VA. The UPSes include a USB port for management.

From the network management software, users can monitor power availability, battery capacity and automatic system shutdown.

The Nova AVR UPSes feature automatic voltage regulation (AVR), which provides a wide tolerance to power fluctuations and protects against power surges. Their line-interactive nature also reduces voltage fluctuations, thus saving battery capacity during power surges or brownouts.

The UPSes have enough battery power to keep a PC running for 15 to 45 minutes, allowing users sufficient time to power down their systems in prolonged power failures.

Because charging is controlled by a microprocessor, battery life can be extended by as much as 50%. Management software gives advanced warning when the batteries need to be replaced.

Both UPSes are also compatible with MGE’s Personal Solution-Pac software, which performs an orderly shutdown of all applications during a blackout prior to UPS battery depletion.

The UPSes work with Windows XP and Mac OS X, as well as Linux. They start at $115 and are available now. They are the same price as offline systems.