What is typically used to ensure power delivery during an emergency?

A standby generator is typically used to ensure power delivery during an emergency because it is designed to automatically provide backup power when the primary power source fails. These generators kick in shortly after a power outage occurs, allowing critical systems, such as lighting, refrigeration, and essential equipment, to continue functioning.

Standby generators are equipped with an automatic transfer switch that detects a power loss and starts the generator automatically. This capability is crucial in situations where continuous power is necessary to maintain safety and operational integrity, especially in environments such as hospitals, data centers, and industrial facilities.

The other options, while important in their respective roles in power management and distribution, do not serve the same emergency power supply function as a standby generator. An electrical transformer is primarily used to step up or down voltage levels to ensure efficient power transmission. A data center UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply) provides short-term backup power and surge protection but is not designed for long-term power supply like a generator. A switchboard is a component used to distribute electrical power but does not generate power itself.