Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) in Pakistan: Effects and Way Forward

Abstract

The ever increasing population of Pakistan has brought up many challenges for the state. One of those is the aggravating energy crisis. Pakistan is a developing country and the strategic location of Pakistan, bordering Arabian sea, demands self sufficiency particularly in energy sector. Not only there is a need to search for and employ alternate resources; there is a need to preserve what Pakistan has today. The efficient use of available energy can play a vital role in striking back the energy crisis. Unfortunately Pakistan's case is a critical one. Already struck with energy crisis, the people employ means that are much more harmful to the system and add more to the crisis. One of those means is the use of Uninterruptible power Supply (UPS). This paper highlights the adverse effects of UPS on power system components and residential appliances. In order to support the view; experiments have been performed and calculations are made. In Pakistan branded and non branded UPS are commercially available. Poverty stricken people buy cheap UPS in order to avail a mean to live in burning hot summer, that are a threat to power system components and economy. The major loads run on UPS are lights and fans. Four different kinds of UPS available in market are analyzed for their effects on distribution transformers, conductor and in particular on fans' life. In the end a way forward is presented to disengage UPS from the lives as well as power system by adopting other fruitful means.