What type of power supply does a backup generator provide during outages?

A backup generator is designed specifically to provide a temporary power supply during outages, which is essential for maintaining operation of critical systems and appliances when the primary power source becomes unreliable. This allows users to continue using equipment, lighting, heating, and cooling systems until the main electricity supply is restored.

Choosing this type of power supply is crucial for both residential and commercial entities to mitigate disruptions caused by power outages. This temporary solution typically kicks in automatically or can be activated manually, ensuring that power continues uninterrupted for a limited duration until normal operations can resume.

In contrast, the other options do not accurately describe the primary function of a backup generator. For instance, an uneven voltage supply would lead to inconsistent power delivery, which is not the goal of a backup generator. Similarly, while some generators might provide direct current, many operate on alternating current based on the application's requirements. Lastly, alternative energy sources refer to renewable energy systems like solar or wind power, which differ fundamentally from the function of a backup generator, which is to provide immediate backup power using fuel-based systems or batteries during an outage.