(UPS) A battery powered power supply that is guaraNTeed to provide power to a computer in the eveNT of iNTerruptions in the incoming electrical power. DiffereNT rating UPSs will provide power for differeNT lengths of time. Modern UPSs connect to the computer' s serial port and provide information such as battery time remaining, allowing the computer to shut down gracefully before complete loss of power. (1996-12-11)