UPS dying...

[Mark Lane]

On Thu, Sep 6, 2012 at 9:34 PM, Digimer <lists-5ZoueyuiTZiw5LPnMra/2Q at public.gmane.org> wrote:
> On 09/06/2012 09:03 PM, Peter King wrote:
>>
>> My UPS seems to be dying.
>>
>> It's an APC Back-UPS XS 1000, which I've had for several
>> years. Recently it has begun to trip into "Overload" mode
>> for no apparent reason (no particular load was being put
>> on it), at random but ever-more-frequently occurring times.
>>
>> The battery is probably no longer holding its charge, and
>> hence the "overload" it reports.
>>
>> So it's time to get a new UPS.
>>
>> I have a computer with a 650w power supply, a monitor, and
>> a few miscellaneous devices to run. Only the computer and
>> monitor need go through the UPS backup power, but it would
>> be convenient to have surge protection for the other devices.
>>
>> I don't need much time on the battery; a few minutes should
>> be enough for an automatic controlled Linux shutdown.
>>
>> How "much" is enough -- is 1000w fine, or go for 1500w for
>> the extra margin? I don't have a clue about these things.
>>
>> Advice, suggestions, recommendations?
>
>
> The rated wattage of your PSU is not an indication of the current draw.
> Unless you have some serious hardware in your machine, you are likely
> drawing less than 200w on average (at least that's the load I see in most
> cases).

That would be under no load with only one monitor. (and Printer should
not on the UPS). When buying a UPS average wattage is pretty well
meaningless for anything more than determining runtime on battery.
What you need to know is Peak wattage at startup and the Peak wattage
under load. The easiest way is to use a UPS calculator which already
has the wattage information for various components specifically
Processors and Video Cards.

Here's Eaton's Calculator.

http://powerquality.eaton.com/UPS/selector/by_WorkStation.asp

I definitely would recommend Eaton (Powerware) UPSes but they are
probably too expensive for most consumers (me included).

I can also speak to the CyberPower. I was a little iffy about buying
it at first but the price was excellent. It's worked well since I got
it save some issues with it's software. The 1500VA model is currently
powering both my PC and my iMAC Pro without issue.  So it would be
more than enough for your system Peter.


Mark Lane <lmlane-Re5JQEeQqe8AvxtiuMwx3w at public.gmane.org>
http://2100computerlane.net
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