CompTIA A+ Core 2 (220-1202)Operational ProceduresMedium
A small office wants to protect a single desktop workstation from both minor voltage spikes and brief power outages so that a user has time to save work and shut down properly. Which device BEST meets this need?
- AUninterruptible power supply (UPS)
- BPower distribution unit (PDU)
- CVoltage regulator
- DSurge protector power strip
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: A. Uninterruptible power supply (UPS)
A UPS provides both surge protection and battery backup, supplying temporary power during an outage so the user can save work and shut down the system safely. A basic surge protector only guards against spikes and provides no backup power during an outage.
Why the other options are wrong
- B. A PDU distributes power to multiple devices, typically in racks, without battery backup.
- C. A voltage regulator stabilizes voltage but does not provide backup power during an outage.
- D. A surge protector only guards against voltage spikes; it provides no power during an outage.
UPS vs Surge Protector
A UPS provides both surge suppression and temporary battery backup power, while a surge protector only guards against voltage spikes.
- UPS allows safe shutdown time during outages
- Surge protectors do not supply power during an outage
- UPS units are rated in VA/watts for runtime capacity
Memory trick: UPS keeps you Up even when Power Stops.