Question for First Time Owner of UPS

• 

  pjetson on 26/02/2021 - 17:31

  It seems that you might be asking this because you're having a problem (and not just a theoretical question), since you seem to be saying something about a light being out.

  Are you saying that you've plugged the UPS into a power point, then plugged "something" into the UPS? And that the "something" requires more than 700 watts? And that the "something" works fine through the UPS when the mains power is on, but does not work when the mains power is off?

  Also, what do you mean when you say that you "believe" the UPS is the APC Backup UPS 1400VA? Does it not have any labels that would confirm its identity?

  The user manual on the page that you linked to contains a table of status indicators that should let you work out what is going on.

  • 

    lesher on 27/02/2021 - 10:31

    Heh, you I see you saw my old post.

    And that the "something" works fine through the UPS when the mains power is on, but does not work when the mains power is off?
    Oh that's what I was asking actually. I haven't been in this scenario yet, so I'm wondering what would happen since I have a pc with power supply of 850w (of course, I don't imagine it will run 850w at all time, only when I overclock things)

    Also, sorry, i think it's a really bad writing habit of mine, I actually meant that the ups is that model, yes

• 

  endotherm on 26/02/2021 - 17:47

  It shouldn't, the UPS is essentially bypassed in this scenario and the load is fed from the mains. However you will immediately have problems in the event of a power failure and the UPS tries to kick in. It doesn't make sense to overload the system like this because you will have no protection, much the same as not having a UPS in the first place.

  • 

    lesher on 27/02/2021 - 10:34

    I won't try to overload it deliberately! It's just that I have a pc with power supply of 850w, and I'm wondering what could happen in case it was still using 850w when a light out happen in the middle of that (of course, I don't imagine it will be using 850w at all time, if ever)

    • 

      pjetson on 27/02/2021 - 13:33

      Your PC is very unlikely to ever be drawing anything anywhere near 850 watts.

• 

  websterp on 26/02/2021 - 17:47

  +1

  Watts = VA X PF
  This is how that works. Your UPS must be having a pretty bad power factor. UPS manufacturers specify the rating in VA as it is a bigger number - Better for marketing

  If your load happens to be higher than 700w the ups will have some form of audible or visual alert or shut down to protect from overloading. Most good UPS models with a LCD usually has a load indicator mode which would show how loaded it is.

  • 

    lesher on 27/02/2021 - 10:31

    Sadly, no LCD on this model

• 

  endotherm on 26/02/2021 - 17:57

  +1

  What are you running that has a load over 700W? Is there some way you can reduce this? New owners will try to keep the computer, plus monitor, plus modem, plus router, plus lava lamps… all powered up. Don't be so ambitious, just power the main computer, you don't need to see what's going on, or continue downloading etc. Just let the software elegantly shutdown your computer safely without corrupting anything so that you can resume where you left off when the power is restored.

  • 

    havebeerbelywillsumo on 26/02/2021 - 18:13

    • this and the post re an alarm from websterp. Use a UPS myself and find them extremely handy (don't forget you need the lead-acid battery charged up and functioning - as this was from a friend yours may be too old - lasts say 3-4 years) Should have come with software that should give you an idea of how well it will run in a blackout - and whether you have too much attached)…with mine anything will run when attached as it gets power from the 240V connection, it is only when there is a blackout that you see the UPS working as sole power provider - software should have test function included to mimic a blackout.
  • 

    lesher on 27/02/2021 - 10:27

    Well I got a pc that has power supply rating of 850w. Of course, I imagine it won't be running on 850w constantly, but I do wonder of the off chance when light out happens while the pc is consuming 5800, what would exactly happen? (hence the question)

    • 

      endotherm on 27/02/2021 - 11:24

      I'm pretty sure that figure is made up of a total of the maximum capacities of the +12V, -12V, +5V etc rails. It's pretty unlikely to max them all out at the same time, so you will have some reserve until 850W. I imagine if you max out any one of your power rails you will start to have random reboots/crashes/shutdowns during normal operation.

      The only way you will know is to plug it in and try it. Boot up your computer, then unplug it from the wall. See what the UPS does. It might just complain bitterly, but continue to provide power for a shorter period, or it might immediately turn itself off.

      • 

        lesher on 27/02/2021 - 13:07

        I just realized I typed 850w as 5800 in my comment above lol, but yeah I suppose you're right, one way to find out I guess.