Uninterruptible power supply for your computer. How to choose a UPS for your computer. How to choose an uninterruptible power supply - tips on Yandex.Market

Few people imagine the modern world without electricity, because it gives us a huge number of possibilities, it is from it that our favorite gadgets are charged and maintains the voltage in the power supply of a computer or laptop. But sometimes there are unpleasant surges that can not only damage equipment, but also break it irreversibly. To reduce possible damage to a minimum, humanity came up with UPS (UPS), and you will learn how to choose an uninterruptible power supply from this article.

What you need to know before going to the store

Choosing the right model is not that difficult, you just need to put in a little effort. The selected power of the uninterruptible power supply must meet your needs. Moreover, many modern devices already have built-in voltage regulators that, if there is a surge, will turn it off or go into emergency mode, so the usefulness of installing a UPS on them is not so high; perhaps a regular carrier with a fuse will suffice. The most unprotected household electrical appliances are televisions, old refrigerators, and computers. Also remember about imported equipment, which is designed for a voltage of 110-220W, but no more.
Decide where you will install the uninterruptible power supply and how much equipment will be available for it. Perhaps you want to connect the entire room at once and have peace of mind, or perhaps only certain devices. Modern UPSs can be quite large if they have a good battery installed and more than three outlets are available.
Don't forget when answering a question how to choose an uninterruptible power supply about its power and battery capacity. This determines whether it will withstand all appliances during a power outage. Decide on the amount of equipment and calculate the approximate total consumption of watts per hour.

You need to know this when choosing a UPS for your computer and computer equipment

• The most shock-resistant thing in a computer is the hard drive.
• Several small uninterruptible systems can be more profitable than one large one.
• The lower the load percentage, the longer the autonomous mode.
• , copiers and scanners do not like UPS, but if there is a need, then choose a model with a power of at least 1100VA.
• When unplugging the uninterruptible power supply from the outlet, do not forget to turn it off using the power button.

A few words about choosing a UPS for household appliances

There is no noticeable difference from the instructions described above; the main feature lies in the calculation of the future power of the uninterruptible power supply. So for the calculation, you will need:

1. Power of the device itself (boiler, pump, etc.) (indicated in the technical specifications or on the sticker on the back)
2. In the case of a boiler, the power of the installed pumps (on average 130 Watt)

You should choose a model of at least an advanced level, but better yet, a full-fledged one with online technology (switching to a battery in a split second). It will not be superfluous to be able to connect additional batteries to the selected UPS; this will allow you to independently purchase the required quantity.

You need to know that not all computer models are suitable for a boiler or pump. The reason for this lies in the inconsistent, clearly defined phase of such devices, which negatively affects the sensors installed in the device, which may show incorrect information or stop working altogether. When choosing a UPS for household appliances, always ask if the model is producing the correct sine wave.

Example of UPS models for household appliances:

• LogicPower PSW-5000VA
• LUXEON UPS-1000HE
• LogicPower LPY-W-PSW-2000VA
• Delta R Amplon
• SVEN Reserve Home-1000

Results

The only thing I forgot to mention in the article is the brand and manufacturer. But everything is simple here, take a product that has a developed network of service centers in your region. This will make finding and replacing batteries much easier. I hope we have fully covered the question of how to choose an uninterruptible power supply; if you have any suggestions, feel free to leave them in the comments.

A good video on testing an uninterruptible power supply using the example of a refrigerator

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Take care of the safety of your computer's data, extending its service life, and protecting it from burnout - we advise you to pay attention to special uninterruptible power supplies.

An uninterruptible power supply is an automatic device that stably supplies electrical equipment connected to it with electricity.

Figure 1. Appearance of the APC RS-500 UPS

How to choose the right UPS for your computer? To choose a model that exactly suits your needs, you should know the characteristics of uninterruptible power supplies.

What you should know about UPS:

• UPS output power can be measured in volt-amperes (VA) or watts (W);
• UPS transition time to battery power is measured in milliseconds (ms);
• the width of the mains (input) voltage range at which the UPS is able to stabilize the power supply (without switching to the battery), measured in volts (V);
• The battery life of the UPS is determined by the capacity of the installed batteries and the power of the equipment connected to the UPS, and is measured in minutes (min);
• Battery life is measured in years, usually from 5 years.

UPS power

When choosing a UPS for a computer, first of all, you should decide what equipment will be connected to it. After which it is necessary to calculate its total power consumption, using for this purpose the characteristics from technical data sheets of devices, operating manuals, or by resorting to a table of typical power consumption. For example, a typical monitor consumes 45W, a system unit about 300W, and a modem 17W. Total about 362W.

Figure 2. Selecting UPS power depending on the connected equipment

Important! Manufacturers usually indicate UPS power in volt-amperes. To convert the UPS power into watts, the amount of VA should be multiplied by 0.6. For example, a 700VA UPS can provide uninterrupted power to equipment with a consumption of about 420 W (700*0.6=420).

Figure 3. Comparison table of power consumption in volt-amperes and watts

Voltage stabilization

UPSs protect equipment from the dangers associated with interruptions or complete blackouts. In addition, uninterruptible power supplies have built-in protection that protects the user from all kinds of manifestations of poor quality power supply: from small electrical noise to significant voltage surges.

Figure 4. Scheme of a backup UPS (Back-UPS)

When the voltage in the power grid is unstable, when the latter often deviates from the norm, it makes sense to purchase a UPS with a built-in stabilizer. Such a source is called a line-interactive UPS. Using such a source, despite the reduced voltage in the network, for example, at 170V, all equipment connected to the UPS will still receive the required voltage of 220V.

Figure 5. Diagram of a line-interactive UPS (Smart-UPS)

Autonomous operation

UPSs for home computers, as a rule, can provide 5-30 minutes of battery life at maximum load. This is enough to save data and safely shut down your PC.

Figure 6. Calculation of UPS battery life depending on the load (in minutes)

In addition, if the power of the uninterruptible power supply is large enough, you can connect a table lamp to it, and while the power is off, while away the evening reading an exciting book. By the way, you can connect additional batteries to some UPS models, increasing the battery life of the UPS.

Sockets in the UPS

Sockets in office and household UPSs are either “computer” (IEC 320 type) or “regular” (Schuko CEE 7 type): see the figure below. If necessary, you can buy an adapter or surge protector for “computer” sockets with regular sockets - this will solve the problem of incompatibility. Also, some UPSs have separate sockets that serve to protect external devices from power surges.

Figure 7. APC Back-UPS Pro 550 rear panel

Accumulator battery

The service life of the battery directly depends on the frequency of transitions to battery power. On average, a high-quality battery will last from 2 to 5 years. You can only use batteries that are recommended by the manufacturer for a specific UPS model. Otherwise, replacing the battery can cause many problems: from the inability to charge the battery to failure of the UPS. To extend the life of the UPS, the battery must be disconnected when transporting it.

Cold start

This function allows you to turn on the equipment even in the complete absence of electricity. Of course, not for a very long time.

Software

So that in the event of a sudden power outage, the computer can shut down correctly without user assistance, you should install special software supplied with the UPS. The utility program will constantly record the network voltage and control the operation of the UPS.

Technical support

When purchasing a UPS, you should make sure that there is a service center in your locality that provides warranty and post-warranty service for this brand.

Based on materials from the online store RadioChast.ru.

Unfortunately, interruptions sometimes occur in our electrical networks, and in such situations it is necessary to protect expensive equipment from overloads. In addition, in such cases it is important to save information on the computer from irretrievable loss. For this purpose, there are uninterruptible power supplies, abbreviated as UPS. Today we will talk about how to choose a good UPS for a computer, and what is important about this device. There is a huge amount of similar equipment on the market, and if you decide to read this article, it means you can’t decide on the final option. Good power supplies for a computer today can be produced using a variety of technologies. Depending on the purpose for which you use the computer, you need to choose this equipment.

Types

First, it’s worth talking about the main types of uninterruptible power supplies for a computer, of which there are three options on the market.

Reserve

Backup UPSs are the most primitive in terms of design. They differ in that they respond to a power supply delay of 10 ms. At this moment the switchover to the battery occurs. Such budget computer power supplies are suitable for private home use only if you do not have any problems with power outages. There is no voltage stabilizer, which means that during any interruption the device will switch to the battery, which has a detrimental effect on its service life.

Linear interactive

Line-interactive computer power supplies solve this problem. In the event of voltage surges in the network, they are automatically adjusted to the existing current level. This significantly increases the service life of the device. In terms of price-quality ratio, switching power supplies for this type of computer are considered the best.

Online

The best, but most expensive, are online UPS. they react to a voltage drop in the network instantly. The operating principle of this type is the double conversion of incoming electricity. First, the rectifier converts AC voltage to DC voltage. Then the inverter converts it back into AC. But unlike backup and interactive ones, the computer and other devices constantly receive energy from the online one, and electricity with a pure sine wave, equalized by voltage. This device constantly responds to changes in current and transmits this information to the computer.

Main settings

Here we will look at the main criteria for devices that will help you make your choice. It will also be possible to understand exactly what parameters affect the cost of equipment.

Power

Power is considered one of the main characteristics of any UPS for a computer. If the total power of the computer exceeds the power of an inexpensive computer device, this may lead to the latter failing or causing constant reboots. Be sure to pay attention to this parameter before purchasing. You need to know how much power your personal computer and all the peripheral devices connected to it consume. To determine this indicator for uninterruptible power supplies, it is worth multiplying the available total value by 1.4. It is precisely this power reserve that is needed for this device.

Battery life

This parameter is approximately the same for most budget UPSs for computers. Battery life is approximately 5-8 minutes. This is often enough to save all applications and shut down the operating system in the correct mode. For those who use their PC resources to the maximum, this may not be enough. Fortunately, some manufacturers offer models whose battery life increases to 15-20 minutes. Of course, you can increase the battery capacity yourself and make it better. To achieve this, manufacturers release additional batteries on the market. By connecting them in series, the required timing characteristics can be achieved.

Software

Many of today's best UPSs for computers come with special programs that allow you to save statistics files on the operation of the device. If a person is not at home, the equipment will independently save all working information on the hard drive. This is a very useful option, the presence of which you need to pay attention to when purchasing.

Number of connectors

Inexpensive computer UPSs often come with just a computer connector. In fact, there may be a wide variety of peripheral devices nearby. You need to calculate how many such devices you have at home, and based on this, draw conclusions regarding the purchase of this or that equipment. There should also be an outlet with protection against power surges. Don't forget about protecting your telephone line. If this is not done, then the modem connected to it may soon fail during a power outage.

Noise level

This is also worth paying attention to before purchasing a power supply. Some inexpensive computer UPSs are quite loud, which can cause various problems; for example, a person may experience headaches. Avoid installing the power supply directly next to your bed. It’s even better to separate it from your sleeping place with a partition.

Display and controls

Modern best UPSs for computers are capable of not only producing sound signals when operating modes are switched, but also providing information using LEDs. This is very convenient if it is possible to visually monitor the state of the block. Some models are capable of informing the user when the battery needs to be replaced. Relatively recently, equipment equipped with liquid crystal displays has appeared on the market. Up to 20 different block states can be displayed here. In addition, some models are supplemented with controls. They allow you to configure the power supply for a specific network operating mode.

Possibility of battery replacement

Today on the market you can find uninterruptible power supplies for computers, which involve replacing the battery during operation. The average battery life is approximately 5 years. During this time, it completely exhausts its resources. There are models that require replacing the battery after its service life has expired. Pay attention to them before purchasing, because it is better to buy a battery than a new UPS, and such devices will save your money in the future.

Manufacturers

Today on the market you can find various both expensive and inexpensive UPSs for computers. There are a lot of manufacturers of such equipment. The best companies are considered to be APC, FSP, Ippon.

Rating of the best UPS for a computer

So, dear readers, we have looked at the main types and parameters of uninterruptible power supplies. Now each of you knows how to choose a UPS for a computer, and what characteristics you should first look at when choosing. And now we bring to your attention a small rating of the best UPSs in the mid-price category, compiled on the basis of expert opinions.

APC by Schneider Electric Smart-UPS 1000VA LCD 230V

Switching interactive power supply - APC by Schneider Electric Smart-UPS 1000VA LCD 230V has an input voltage of 160 - 286 V, input frequency of 47 - 63 Hz, and output frequency of 47 - 53 Hz. The device with an LCD display has an audible alarm, a USB interface and a slot for additional interfaces. The output power of the device is 650 W, the operating time at full load is 6 minutes, at half load it is 20.6 minutes. The device is equipped with 8 computer-type power output connectors - IEC 320 C13. The power supply battery charges in 3 hours. It is possible to replace the battery during operation of the UPS.

IPPON Smart Winner 1000

A modern high-quality switching interactive power supply - Ippon Smart Winner 1000 has an input voltage of 161 - 276 V. The output power of the device is 650 W, operating time at full load is 5 minutes. The device has a full set of cables and can be mounted in a 19-inch rack. On the rear panel of the unit there is a USB connector and an RS-232 slot. The device is equipped with 6 computer-type power output connectors - IEC 320 C13. The UPS battery charges in 3 hours. The radiators of the power supply are blown by a high-tech fan from SUNON. Information about processes is displayed through LED indicators and an audible alarm. The device with a cold start function is equipped with protection for the telephone line, local network and overload protection.

INELT Power Station POWER 1500

Switching interactive power supply - INELT Smart Station POWER 1500 has an input voltage of 170 - 280 V, and an input frequency of 45 - 65 Hz. The device with LED indicators has an audible alarm, a USB or RS-232 interface is optional. The output power of the device is 900 W, there is a cold start option. The device is equipped with 6 computer-type power output connectors - IEC 320 C13. The power supply battery charges in 12 hours. It is possible to replace the battery during operation of the UPS. The device with interference filtering function has local network protection, telephone line protection, and protection against high-voltage pulses.

Ippon Back Power Pro 800 New

Switching interactive power supply - Ippon Back Power Pro 800 New has an input voltage of 162 - 268 V and an output power of 480 W. The device with LED indicators has an audible alarm, a cold start function and a USB interface. The device is equipped with 3 computer-type power output connectors - IEC 320 C13. The power supply battery charges in 6 hours. It is possible to replace the battery during operation of the UPS. The device with interference filtering function has local network protection, telephone line protection, and protection against high-voltage pulses.

IPPON Back Comfo Pro 800 New

Switching interactive power supply - Ippon Back Comfo Pro 800 New has an input voltage of 162 - 268 V, and an input frequency of 45 - 65 Hz. The device with LED indicators has an audible alarm, USB and RS-232 interfaces. The output power of the device is 420 W, there is a cold start option. The device is equipped with 8 computer-type power output connectors - CEE 7 (Euro socket). The power supply battery charges in 8 hours. It is possible to replace the battery during operation of the UPS. The device with interference filtering function has local network protection, telephone line protection, and protection against high-voltage pulses. In addition, there is short circuit protection and an automatic fuse.

Which UPS to choose? We raised this topic in the previous article and looked at the types of uninterruptible power supplies that manufacturers offer. Today we’ll talk about how to choose an uninterruptible power supply depending on your tasks and the type of your equipment, and also calculate the required UPS power.

What kind of uninterruptible power supply you need depends on several main points:

1. What kind of network problems do you want to protect your equipment from?
2. Design features of the equipment you want to connect to the UPS.
3. Planned load power on the UPS.
4. Required battery life.

So, in this article we will look at choosing an uninterruptible power supply, taking into account the following questions:

• We calculate the battery capacity for a known battery life.
• We calculate the battery life, knowing the capacity of the UPS.

Why do you need a UPS?

The answer to the question: which uninterruptible power supply to choose depends primarily on why you need it.

Note that if you only need power stabilization and do not need to ensure autonomous operation of the equipment during a power outage, it is more advisable to buy a separate stabilizer.

Also, quite often they use a combination of a stabilizer + an inexpensive UPS (the uninterruptible power supply is connected to the network AFTER the stabilizer). Such a tandem not only allows you to regulate the voltage if this is not provided in the UPS, but also extends the life of the UPS batteries.

What equipment are you buying a UPS to protect?

Which UPS to choose also depends on the design features of the connected equipment.

The general rule is this: you can connect almost any equipment to a UPS with the correct sine wave at the output; you just need to correctly calculate the power. Not all equipment can be connected to other UPS, especially the offline type.

How to calculate the power of a UPS?

In order to choose the right uninterruptible power supply, you need to calculate the total power of the equipment that you are going to connect to it. Power values ​​can be clarified in the technical specifications (data sheet or instructions for the equipment).

Let's look at a hypothetical example.

We want to connect to the UPS:

• 250 W computer,
• 60 W LCD monitor,
• 2000 W air conditioner (cos φ = 0.8).

There is one point here: even if the power of all devices is expressed in one unit, in this case in W, you need to calculate two powers: in volt-amperes and watts.

Power in volt-amperes and watts - what's the difference?

Power, which is expressed in volt-amperes (VA, VA) is called full power. It shows the actual load of the equipment, taking into account active and reactive ones.

Power, which is expressed in watts (W, W), is called active power.

These are two different quantities, and both need to be taken into account when choosing a UPS with the power you need. This is especially important if you are going to connect a reactive load to the UPS, since in such equipment the apparent and active power can differ significantly.

Calculation of power in volt-amperes.

To convert active power (in watts) to total power in volt-amperes, we use the formula:

Where:

• VA - apparent power,
• W - active power,
• P - equipment power factor.

If the equipment belongs to a reactive load, and this is almost all network, telecommunications equipment, lighting and heating devices, that is, equipment without inductance, without reactive power, as well as computer equipment with power factor control power supplies (APFC), the current factor can be taken equal to 1, or better with a small margin— 0.95.

If you are going to connect a laser printer, an air conditioner, fluorescent lamps to a UPS - equipment that has electric motors and the like, everything that has inductance and reactive power, as well as computers with power supplies without APFC, you need to look at the current power factor in the device passport or on the sticker on the back wall. For this technique it is most often indicated. The power factor is designated as Power Factor (PF) or cos φ.

In the case where the manufacturer has not indicated the value of the power factor, but the load is clearly not fully active, you can take the most common value: 0.7.

Let's return to our example.

The power supply in the computer does not have power factor adjustment, so we take the P value equal to 0.7. It's the same on the monitor. In total we get the full power:

• for a computer with a monitor: (250+60)/0.7 =442 VA,
• for air conditioner: 2000/0.8 =2500 VA,
• Together: 2942 VA.

So, should we buy a 3000VA uninterruptible power supply? Take your time, it's not that simple.

Calculation of power in watts.

Most often the simplest case occurs - when the power is in watts, it is also called active power, is already indicated in the documentation for the equipment. If not, you can convert the power from volt-amps to watts using the same methodology as for total power.

Let's calculate the power of our equipment in watts:

• computer with monitor - 310 W,
• air conditioner - 2000 W,
• Together: 2310 W.

In our online store, among UPS for 3000VA, for example, there are:

How to calculate the required capacity of an uninterruptible power supply?

Usually, when choosing an uninterruptible power supply, we have some specific requirements for the time during which it will support the operation of the equipment connected to it in the event of a power outage. Many manufacturers indicate an approximate range, for example, they write that depending on the load, the battery life will be 4-20 minutes. Or they indicate that when working at maximum load this time will be 5 minutes.

But this is approximate, and we need to be absolutely sure that the UPS we purchased will provide battery operation for a certain list of equipment. Or calculate how long our chosen UPS model will hold our load.

We calculate the battery capacity for a known battery life

For calculations we need:

• The total active power (in watts) of the equipment that we are going to connect to the UPS (W).
• Battery life (T).
• Rated battery voltage.

We use the formula:

Where:

• T - time of planned autonomous operation (h),
• P - power of connected equipment (W),
• KPD - efficiency of an uninterruptible power supply (you can take about 0.85).

And the formula for converting capacity in Wh to capacity in AH:

Let's say we need the computer and monitor from the example above to work for 2 hours after a power outage.

Capacity (Wh) = 2 * 310 / 0.85 = 730 Wh.

However, battery capacity is usually indicated in ampere-hours. To convert watt-hour capacity to ampere-hour capacity, you will need to specify the rated voltage of the batteries.

For 12V batteries:

Capacity (A*h) = 730/12 == 60.83 ≈ 61Ah.

For 24V batteries:

730/24 = 30.42 ≈ 30Ah.

Since most often a UPS uses 1-2 batteries, less often 4, with a capacity of 7-9AH, it will be difficult for us to select a standard UPS for such total capacity values. It is best to buy an uninterruptible power supply with the ability to connect external batteries and select the capacity according to your needs.

Catalog of UPS with the ability to connect external batteries.

UPS efficiency (approximately 0.85).

We use the formulas:

• V - rated battery voltage (V),
• AH - capacity of one battery (AH),
• N is the number of batteries.

• E - total capacity (Wh),
• KPD - efficiency of the uninterruptible power supply (by default you can take 0.85,
• P is the power consumption of the connected equipment.

Let's take the PowerCom BNT-800AP USB UPS as an example. The manufacturer claims a battery life of 5 minutes at maximum load. How long can our computer and monitor work with a power consumption of 310 W?

Total capacity (Wh) UPS = 12V * 7.2AH * 1 = 86.4 Wh.

Time = 86.4*0.85 / 310 = 0.237 hours ≈ 14 minutes.

Conclusion

Now let's briefly summarize.

In order to select a UPS, you must:

• Define, what type of UPS do you need.
• Calculate the required total and active power of the UPS, taking into account starting currents and a small margin.
• If you need to maintain power for a certain time, calculate how much UPS capacity is needed for this. And depending on the calculated capacity, buy a regular uninterruptible power supply or a UPS and a set of additional batteries for it.

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Power surges are the main cause of computer breakdowns. To protect devices from damage, install a UPS or uninterruptible power supply. It is used to eliminate various interference in the electrical network:

• A sharp increase and decrease in voltage;
• Sudden power outage;
• Electromagnetic interference;
• High frequency pulses.

The system unit, monitor, audio system, game joysticks, modems, printers and scanners are connected to the uninterruptible power supply. To ensure reliable protection for all devices, it is important to know how to choose the right UPS for your computer.

How to choose an uninterruptible power supply for your computer

Choosing a UPS for a computer begins with determining its type. There are three of them: backup, interactive and online devices.

• Backup uninterruptible power supply systems operate in two modes. If there is voltage in the network, they “filter” incoming currents and make them safe for equipment. In the absence of voltage, they act as a backup battery. In other words, if there is a power outage, you will be able to work with your PC for some time.
  Advantage: low price
  Flaws: relatively long response time (up to 15 ms), which may be critical for some types of equipment.
• Interactive UPSs, unlike standby ones, are equipped with a built-in voltage stabilizer. If the load on the network has changed slightly, the device will correct it. Switching to battery operation occurs only when major changes occur in the network.
  Advantage: fast response time, universal, suitable for both computers and all related equipment.
  Flaw: not suitable for equipment with high starting currents.
• Online UPS are classified as professional equipment. They convert the incoming alternating current into direct current, “pass” it through themselves and again output alternating current with an exact voltage of 220 V.
  Advantage: Suitable for protecting highly sensitive and expensive equipment.
  Flaws: very expensive and noisy, installed in rooms where there are no people.

Another important parameter is the battery life of the device. It is indicated by the manufacturer in the technical data sheet of the device and ranges from 10 to 50 minutes. May vary depending on the number of connected equipment.

How to calculate UPS power for a computer

First, determine the type of PC you have and decide what additional equipment you want to connect to it. Calculate their total power. Be careful: the power of the equipment is indicated in watts (W), and the UPS, as a rule, is indicated in volt-amperes (VA). You need to correctly calculate the power of the UPS for your computer yourself.

• A standard office computer includes a system unit, a monitor, speakers and a printer. Their total power is about 500 W. Convert to volt-amperes: 500*1.4=700 VA.
• A gaming computer consists of a system unit, one or two monitors, a powerful speaker system, as well as joysticks, steering wheels and other equipment. Gaming computers are much more powerful than office computers, so the approximate total power will be higher - about 800 W. We do the calculation according to the sample and get 1120 VA.

How to connect a UPS to a computer

Connecting a UPS to a PC is quite simple. It is necessary to have a surge protector - a tee.

1. We connect the uninterruptible power supply to the switched on network filter. This is necessary to recharge the device's battery.
2. We connect all equipment: system unit, monitor, speaker system to the UPS.
3. Turn on the computer correctly. Press the UPS power button and wait until the green light comes on. It signals that the device is ready for use. Only after this do we turn on the computer. Only in this case will your equipment be reliably protected from power surges.