How to choose the right uninterruptible power supply. How to choose an uninterruptible power supply for a computer? Greeted by clothes

Hi all! When selecting a source uninterruptible power supply, you need to be prepared, know and understand several important points, which are worth paying attention to. About all this and more, we'll talk V this material.

An uninterruptible power supply is a device with built-in battery(s) for backup power various devices during a power outage.

In practice, UPSs are used in enterprises, various institutions, and less often in everyday life. Through an uninterruptible power supply, not only personal computers are launched, but also network - communication equipment. For example, thanks to a UPS, you can safely shut down your personal computer after first saving all documents.

In order to choose the right uninterruptible power supply, decide on several parameters:

1) Where and for what will the UPS be used ( here we select the device type)?
2) The total power of connected devices, the required number and type of sockets.
3) How long should the UPS operate without power?

Perhaps these are the most basic parameters when choosing. Let's look at each in more detail.

Spare



Due to its low cost, this type of UPS is available to the mass consumer. As soon as the electricity disappears or “exceeds” the established norms, the UPS switches the load power to offline mode, i.e. from the battery. As soon as the power supply returns to normal, the device goes into normal mode and charges the dead batteries. The design and circuitry of the devices is simple, and the transition time to battery power varies from 4 to 15 ms. Such UPSs are suitable for those who cannot afford other types of UPS.

Linear - interactive



The line-interactive type of UPS has a more complex circuitry. There is a step voltage regulator (AVR) here. It maintains stable output voltage in case of significant deviations in the input, when the backup UPS will constantly switch to offline mode during power surges. That is why such UPSs last much longer. The switching time to the battery is in in this case 4-7 ms.

Line-interactive UPSs are a common type today; the scope of application in this case is slightly wider than that of backup ones. You can connect several computers, network and telecommunications equipment to such a UPS, and use it not only at home, but also in factories and enterprises.

Double conversion UPS



The principle of operation is much more complicated: the alternating voltage of the network is converted into direct voltage thanks to the rectifier, then the inverter converts the voltage back into alternating voltage. Therefore, this type is called “double conversion” or “on-line”. Thanks to this approach, any changes in external network are not dangerous, and do not in any way affect the functioning of the equipment powered by the UPS.

Double conversion UPSs are more suitable for installation in server or production rooms where power quality is a factor. important parameters during operation of all equipment (servers, gateways, network and communication equipment, audio-video equipment).

In this case, the UPS has all batteries always connected to the installed inverter, so if there is a loss of power in electrical network, all consumers automatically begin to be powered by batteries.

Double conversion UPSs have high power, because of this, many UPS of this type high noise level and increased heat generation, and are also very expensive.

UPS power

The main parameter when choosing a UPS is its output power, which manufacturers indicate in volt-amperes VA. How to understand how much power is needed?

1. Find out the power of your equipment that you are going to connect to the UPS. You can see the power consumption in the passport/instructions or on the body of any electrical appliance.
2. Let's sum it up.
3. Because UPS power total and is indicated in volt-amperes (VA, VA), and the power of devices is indicated in watts (W, W), we also need to convert our total power into VA. To do this, divide the resulting total power by the power factor, which is 0.6.
4. We add 20% on top for a reserve so that the UPS does not constantly work at the limit.

For greater clarity, I will give examples of calculations:

Example No. 1. Typical budget PC

Summing up the power of each device, we get that the total power is 340 W.

Next, we convert the power from watts to volt-amperes. We use the formula Pva = Pw/0.6 . In our case, it turns out that 340 / 0.6 * 1.2 = 680 VA. Where did parameter 1.2 come from, you ask? Everything is very simple, the power of the UPS should always be at least 20% greater than the total power. Taking into account all the parameters, it turns out that for this example An uninterruptible power supply with a capacity of at least 680 VA is required; for this, a backup UPS that can operate for no more than 10 minutes under load is quite suitable. This time is quite enough to successfully complete the job and turn off the PC.

Example No. 2. Gaming PC

Adding up the power again, we get a total power of 850 watts. Following the example above, we make calculations: 850 / 0.6 * 1.2 = 1700 VA. For this example, an uninterruptible power supply with a capacity of at least 1700 VA is required; a line-interactive UPS is ideal. Such UPSs perfectly support autonomous operation for 15-30 minutes at full load.

Types of connectors and interfaces

When choosing a UPS, you need to think in advance about how many devices will be connected to the UPS, and what types of connectors are needed?

Not only a PC is connected to the UPS, but also often other peripheral equipment. The most important thing is that the number of connectors matches the number of connected equipment; it is better to always choose with a reserve of 1-2 connectors.

UPSs usually have two types of connectors:

CEE 7 Schuko (plug for Euro socket);
- IEC 320 C13 (computer plug);

It is important that all connectors match the type of connectors of the equipment being connected. For example, if the equipment has connectors of the CEE 7 Schuko type, and the UPS only has a couple of connectors of the IEC 320 C13 type, then you simply cannot connect to it required device. You will have to buy an additional adapter for such a connector, and this is a waste of money. To avoid getting into trouble, carefully look at the types of connectors of the UPS you purchase.



Depending on the UPS model, the number of connectors varies from 1 to 10, however, the number that provides uninterruptible power supply is different everywhere; their increase leads to an increase in the cost of the device. It is better to select models that have several output connectors. direct supply (SURGE ONLY), since through UPS connectors ( low power) not all electrical appliances can be powered. Thus, the UPS will also be a kind of “tee-extension cord” for connecting equipment “directly”.

Service connectors USB-B or RS-232 are designed for configuring the UPS; using special software you can control the modes UPS operation, monitor or configure automatic completion UPS under certain operating tactics.

IN lately UPSs for the home that have available connectors are relevant USB-A type, you can use them to charge various devices(smartphones, tablets, MP3 player and other devices).

Time battery life

The battery life of the UPS directly depends on the capacity of the batteries used. To avoid acquiring excess “lead,” think in advance about how much time you need to complete tasks during a power outage. Manufacturers in their technical specifications devices give examples of how long a UPS can operate on batteries. However, this time is usually indicated when the maximum load, in practice this rarely happens, and given time significantly higher. For example, if a UPS with a power of 700 VA has an output power of 405 W, then the operating time of the UPS under a load of 405 W will be 4 minutes, but if such a UPS is started system unit and a monitor with a total power of 320W, then naturally time real work from the battery it will be a little more. In 10 minutes of such work, you can safely save all documents, projects and turn off your PC.

In order for the UPS to maintain constant and uninterrupted operation of the connected equipment, you need to choose a UPS with the ability to connect additional batteries. These can be either separate buildings or direct connection batteries using special wires. In this case, purchase the required number of additional batteries.

Some facilities that have expensive uninterruptible power supplies with additional battery modules cannot be turned off even for maintenance. Therefore, it is so important that such UPSs have the ability to hot-swappable batteries without shutting down the equipment.

Display, cooling and noise level

Is the uninterruptible power supply equipped with control buttons? Then you should pay attention to the presence of a display, because it makes it easier to use the device. The LCD display shows all useful information: input-output voltage, battery percentage, battery life, power and frequency.

Redundant power supplies have a low noise level, as does their heat dissipation, which cannot be said about double conversion UPSs and some line-interactive models. Such devices are equipped additional fans which promote cooling. That is why they have a high noise level and heat generation.

An uninterruptible power supply for a computer is needed for the correct completion of programs and for the user to save important data in the event of a power outage. The UPS is not designed to power a computer for a long time. The operating time is on average 15 minutes, which is enough to close and save everything. For more long work needed powerful batteries, which makes the device very bulky and expensive.

Depending on the principle of operation, UPSs are divided into three types:

Backup UPS;
- line-interactive UPS;
- Double conversion UPS.

When purchasing such a device, you should remember that the power of the UPS is indicated in volt-amperes - VA, and the power of the connected devices in watts - W. To convert one value to another, you need to multiply the amount of VA by a factor of 0.7 and you get watts. For example, the power of a UPS of 1000 VA multiplied by 0.7 - you get 700 W. Therefore, taking into account the required power reserve, a load of up to 500 W can be connected to such a UPS.

When choosing a UPS, you should also pay attention to the battery life at full load, the presence of protection against short circuit on the network and the connected device, the ability to replace batteries, the presence of a display and what information is displayed on it.

Backup UPS

In the event of a power outage or severe voltage drop, the backup UPS switches to batteries. The switching time is less than 10 milliseconds, which is quite sufficient for uninterrupted operation computer. Due to the possibility of switching the UPS to battery power during power surges, it is advisable to turn on a network stabilizer before it, this will significantly extend the life of the batteries.

Backup power supplies are the most common type of UPS because... relatively cheap, have high efficiency and low level noise. The battery life ranges from 5 to 10-15 minutes and depends on the power of the connected device. Therefore, it is necessary to purchase a device with a 20–30% power reserve.

Line-interactive UPS

Uninterruptible power supplies of this type include a voltage stabilizer, so they have an advantage over the previous ones, but they also cost significantly more.

Such devices switch to battery power only when complete shutdown electricity, so the batteries last much longer. They are also more economical, have longer time battery life – up to 20 minutes, more high protection connected devices. Disadvantages: high price and noise from the stabilizer cooling fan.

Double conversion UPS

These are the most difficult and expensive devices. The working principle is to transform AC to constant and then again to variable. The output is an ideal sine wave and a voltage of exactly 220 volts. The batteries are permanently connected, so these UPSs have zero switching time.

Designed to power expensive equipment, server stations and computer networks, preventing even short-term interruption of work. Disadvantages - very high cost, low efficiency, high heat generation, increased noise.

Connecting electronics to an uninterruptible power supply can significantly increase their service life, providing protection against power surges and short circuits. When choosing an uninterruptible power supply, it is important to pay attention not only to external characteristics, you need to consider for what purposes it is purchased. For example, UPS online type not suitable for home use because of high level noise, and a UPS with a backup circuit cannot connect devices with asynchronous motor. Correct UPS selection able to guarantee stable work and server site equipment, and household appliances Houses.

We have compiled a list of the best UPS based on expert assessments specialists and reviews from real customers. Our recommendations will help you make a choice, optimal requirements and desires. There are many competitors in the global technology market, but we have selected the best manufacturers and we recommend paying special attention to them:

  1. Ippon
  2. Powercom
  3. EATON
  4. CyberPower
Interactive Double conversion Spare

*Prices are correct at the time of publication and are subject to change without notice.

Uninterruptible Power Supply: Interactive

Interactive

Main advantages
  • Capable of providing stable output voltage simultaneously to up to 8 devices with a total load of 980 W
  • All sockets are self-powered
  • Compared to standby models, the use of an interactive circuit allows you to quickly switch to battery power. This will protect the equipment from unexpected reboots
  • The UPS package includes a disk with special software. The UPS allows you to configure the shutdown of a separate outlet with non-critical equipment when switching to autonomous power supply
  • Technology cold start ensures startup even in the absence of electricity in the network, which sets the UPS apart from analogues

Interactive

Main advantages
  • Despite the budget category of the model, the assembly is made with high quality, monolithic, which ensures safe use device
  • Power consumption is constantly monitored - if there is an overload of 110%, the UPS turns off after 5 seconds, and at 120% - immediately. This ensures that the device is protected from excessive load.
  • The input voltage is filtered and equalized, ensuring stable operation of the connected equipment
  • The uninterruptible power supply works very quietly. This allows it to be used in the living room and will not interfere with a good sleep
  • Green Power technology will not allow deep discharge battery This can significantly increase the service life

Interactive

Main advantages
  • The built-in AVR stabilizes voltage surges without using the resource of the standard battery. This avoids unnecessary wear and tear on the battery.
  • Low noise level during operation does not cause discomfort to the user. Not all uninterruptible power supply systems can boast of this.
  • The hot swap function allows you to install a new battery without disconnecting the operating equipment from the network. To do this, just open the specially designed compartment and change the battery.
  • At a load of 150 W, the stated battery life reaches 20 minutes. This is enough to prepare the connected equipment for a regular shutdown
  • Provided LED indication operating modes

Interactive

Main advantages
  • The UPS is equipped with the AVR function, which allows you to equalize the output voltage without the built-in battery. This ensures longer battery life
  • Manufacturers have provided the possibility of hot-swapping the battery, which ensures installation without shutting down the equipment served by the uninterruptible power supply.
  • Testing has shown that with a connected PC with a 17-inch screen, the user will have about 20 minutes to complete the session
  • The assembly of the device is made with high quality, which helps prevent electric shock.
  • Filtering high-frequency interference ensures stable operation of radio and television equipment

Interactive

Main advantages
  • The interactive type of voltage conversion provides a faster transition to offline mode compared to the backup mode. This can protect against malfunctions of connected equipment.
  • To connect equipment, there are 6 European sockets, each of which can be powered by a battery. This sets the UPS apart from most analogues
  • Monitoring display provides information about battery status, input and output voltage ratings
  • Unlike competitors, it is able to calculate the estimated battery life under the current load
  • Installed software allows you to set a switching schedule with detailed settings

Show all products in the category "Interactive"

UPS: Double conversion

Double conversion

Main advantages
  • Double voltage conversion guarantees perfect job equipment in any emergency situations. On-Line scheme ensures transition to offline mode and back with zero time delay
  • High efficiency (95%) allows you to save energy
  • Claimed battery life at full power is 6 minutes
  • The developers have provided the ability to connect additional batteries- this can significantly increase the autonomy of the uninterruptible power supply
  • ABM technology allows you to increase battery life thanks to a special charging algorithm and is a proprietary development of Eaton

Double conversion

Main advantages
  • The UPS guarantees a stable output voltage for 8 devices with a total load of up to 1350 W
  • The output signal in the form of a pure sine wave makes it possible to connect electrical equipment with an asynchronous motor, choke or induction coils (heating pump, washing machine etc.)
  • The “Dry contacts” function allows you to connect the UPS to power supply systems and switch high-voltage circuits
  • To protect the local network, there are connectors to which you can connect network cable for filtering against high-frequency bursts
  • Thanks to design features uninterruptible power supply can be used both in horizontal position, and rack-mount

Double conversion

Main advantages
  • Manual switching to By-pass mode allows you to save energy with a stable voltage in the network, as well as replace the battery without turning off the equipment
  • It is possible to configure the shutdown of a separate outlet after switching to offline operation. This is implemented using software that is included with the UPS.
  • The uninterruptible power supply is equipped with a cold start function and is able to turn on even in the absence of electricity in the network
  • Has protection that will not allow the UPS to fail during a short circuit
  • Device in offline mode capable of delivering a stable output voltage, regardless of battery charge and connected load

Show all products in the category "Double conversion"

With this article our site continues the whole cycle useful materials, the purpose of which will be to facilitate the choice of any product from thousands of options offered on the market. Agree, choice specific model Some device always takes a lot of time, which could be spent usefully. In today's material we will talk about choosing a UPS.

Introduction

Electricity is the main thing where work begins modern man. Without electricity your personal computer it just won’t turn on, you won’t be able to recharge the gadget you need for work or just have fun playing computer games. Even in modern cities and homes, the power grid can malfunction - in hot weather, a power plant can fail, sometimes the voltage can change sharply, and so on. How to protect your PC in such cases? The answer is simple - use UPS, uninterruptible power supply.

There are two main reasons for damage to electrical equipment - sudden power failure And power surges. It is UPS that will help avoid these problems. In the event of a power outage, thanks to the built-in battery, they can provide the PC with electricity for a period of time from several minutes to several hours. During this time, you will either be able to calmly finish your work, or save all important documents and turn off the device in normal mode(and some UPSs can do this without user intervention). UPSs also protect against power surges by “leveling” the current that flows into the device’s power supply.

Different UPSs are very different from each other. Some may be intended for use with not very powerful office computers, others - with productive servers that need to ensure continuous operation around the clock despite thunderstorms and network failures. As a result, you can spend either $100 or $10,000 on the purchase of an uninterruptible power supply, and that is why you need to know the intricacies of their choice.

How powerful a UPS will you need? This can be calculated quite simply. To start, take a look at the maximum wattage of your PC's power supply - for example, 400W. It probably doesn’t use these 400 W all the time - it’s unlikely that the power consumption of such a PC exceeds 250-300 W, but the margin in calculations won’t hurt and will increase the time that the UPS will give to complete the job. The minimum Volt-Amp number of the UPS (see output power in the next section) is calculated by formula 1.6 * (power supply power), that is, in the case of a 400 W power supply it will be 640 VA.

Calculate exact time battery life is much more difficult - it all depends on many factors, and it is better to contact official management or the UPS description from the manufacturer. If you want to do everything yourself and not trust the manufacturer, then you will need to find out four characteristics of the device: output power, number of batteries, their voltage and capacity in Amp-hours (most likely, you will have to work hard to find all this). Formula will be like this:

(voltage * battery capacity * efficiency) / power output = X

To get the final number of minutes, X must be multiplied by 60. That is, a UPS with parameters of 700 W / 12 V / 9 Ah / 90% efficiency can provide energy to our 400 W computer for approximately 8.3 minutes.

Important UPS Features

All UPS are divided into three types: interactive, backup and double conversion UPS.

Backup UPS- the simplest type of “uninterruptible power supply”. They automatically switch mechanically to use the internal battery in the event of a power failure. This switching takes from 20 to 100 ms - most consumer electronics and computers in this case will continue to operate as normal.

Interactive UPS They are similar to backup ones, but they use a special transformer, which allows you to “equalize” the voltage in the network much better. If you often notice that the light bulbs at home are not very bright, this means that such a UPS will not hurt you.

Double conversion UPS- the most expensive and most complex to construct. Instead of switching to backup batteries in the event of a failure, they constantly filter current from fixed network, which allows you not to lose voltage for a single millisecond. Such UPSs are several times more expensive than interactive ones, all other characteristics being equal, and are intended for use with servers and sensitive devices - most likely, you will not need one.

Total output power, VA

Characterizes the maximum load power that can be connected to the device. Recommended values: 350-700 VA for office PCs, 700-1000 VA for workstations and gaming PCs, 1000+ VA for servers.

Active output power, W

Characterizes the maximum power of devices connected to the UPS. It is best to use a UPS whose active output power is approximately 20% higher than the power of, for example, the computer power supply and monitor combined.

Operating time at full load

As mentioned above, the exact battery life in each specific case is quite difficult to determine. Most often, manufacturers indicate this parameter when the UPS is fully loaded. IN regular models this parameter does not exceed 5-15 minutes, and UPSs for servers can operate autonomously for up to several hours.

Number of power output connectors

Typically, UPSs include both outlets that are protected against mains power failure and outlets that are only protected against surges. When purchasing, take into account the number of both - most likely, you will need at least two sockets of the first type (in case desktop computer- for PC and monitor).

Interfaces USB, RS-232, Ethernet, connection to OS

Almost any UPS must not only be connected to the network, but also “communicate” with operating system computer to give it commands and receive necessary information. When purchasing a UPS, be sure to make sure that it is compatible with the OS of your PC, and connecting it is not difficult - via USB, COM port or Ethernet.

Cold start

This UPS operating mode allows you to turn on the computer when complete absence voltage in the stationary network and the presence of charge in the batteries of the device. It may come in handy in rather unexpected cases.

Protection of local network and telephone line

It would be a good idea to protect your wired cable from voltage surges. local network and telephone cord if you use them. UPSs that support this usually don't differ too much in price from others.

Availability of display

The small LCD screen makes it easy to see information about your network settings and the battery life you have left. This is an optional feature, but the additional comfort it provides cannot be denied - without a screen, you will only have to listen to the beeping of the device and look at its LEDs, which is far from intuitive.

Possibility of replacing batteries

The batteries in a UPS usually last for 3-5 years, and after this period they will need to be replaced. In almost all cases, it is recommended to buy a UPS with this capability - the only exceptions are cheap models, replacing the batteries in which will cost about the same as buying a new uninterruptible power supply.

Top 5 best UPS for regular PCs

An excellent and inexpensive UPS with an informative screen and a total power of 1350 VA. It has 8 outlets (4 with battery connection and 4 with surge protection) and is designed for home use. Thanks to its relatively compact design, it fits under a regular table. It will automatically turn off devices connected to it in the event of a loss of network power and can protect telephone line and wired local network.

Dear and powerful model for home use. 8 sockets for the most different devices with connection to a battery, convenient LCD display, powerful software, many additional functions.

Powerful and reliable interactive UPS for home and office. 10 sockets, 5 of which are connected to batteries, an informative LCD screen, the ability to replace batteries and much more.

The simplest backup model: very short battery life, minimum set functions, 8 sockets, 4 of which are connected to the battery and low cost.

Similar to APC Smart-UPS C 1500VA LCD model. Features higher active power, better protection from power surges and a slot for additional interfaces. The battery life is slightly shorter.

Conclusion

We hope this article helped you understand not an easy task selecting an uninterruptible power supply. Next time we'll talk about the best computer speakers!

The function of an uninterruptible power supply (UPS - Uninterruptible power supply) for a computer is to provide continuous power supply to your computer and to peripheral devices in conditions where the power in the network is lost for some reason or the voltage in it has become much less than acceptable.

The problem does not apply to laptops, tablets, and smartphones, because they have built-in batteries. But the computer does not have a built-in battery, so additional measures are needed.

This is necessary so that you do not lose unsaved information if you suddenly find yourself without electricity (the monitor suddenly goes out and that’s it), so that you have the basic opportunity to shut down work normally in a few minutes and turn off the computer in normal mode without unnecessary stress for you and without risks to the equipment.

How to choose an uninterruptible power supply for your computer? We'll talk about this further. In general, there are three most popular types. Here they are:

    backup (offline, standby),

    line-interactive (line-interactive, smart-UPS),

    double conversion (online, double-conversion).

This is the most basic type of uninterruptible power supply. It is easy to manufacture, inexpensive, consists of basic set parts: battery, DC-AC inverter. If there is a power failure, power will be automatically supplied from the built-in 12 V battery with a capacity of 7 Ah or more. The duration of backup operation depends directly on the capacity of the built-in battery.

Function charger— keep the battery fully charged and ready for use at any time. At the moment of switching to reserve, the inverter will take 12 volts at DC from the battery and converts them into 220 volts of alternating voltage to power the computer and peripherals. Switching from the network to the inverter and back occurs automatically, the electronics simply control the relay, and the switching time is measured here in units of milliseconds.

This UPS is suitable for simple home computer, it is convenient to place it under or next to your desktop. Rated power Standby UPS - less than 1 kW.

Smart or interactive uninterruptible power supply. It includes all the units of an offline backup power supply, but also contains a voltage stabilizer, with the help of which it becomes possible to automatically equalize the voltage if it drops in the network, without switching to battery power.

Thus, an uninterruptible power supply of the line-interactive type is capable of operating normally even when conventional offline uninterruptible power supplies would have already switched to the battery. Thus, smart UPSs have a wider operating range input voltages and more appropriate use of reserve battery. Due to the presence of a built-in stabilizer, the cost of “smart” UPSs, of course, exceeds conventional standby models.

Typically, smart UPSs have active system cooling, which turns on only as needed, and also differs in the ability to connect additional batteries.

Such UPSs switch faster, so they can even be used for backup power supply to servers and other equipment that is sensitive to the slightest power surges. Rated power is measured in units of kilowatts. These uninterruptible power supplies are conveniently mounted on racks along with batteries.

Many people know that DC-AC inverters often work like this - they convert DC low voltage 12 volt batteries to DC 310-340 volts, and then it is converted to alternating. So it is here. The input mains voltage is always converted to DC, which is then converted to AC at the output.

The simplest versions of double conversion uninterruptible power supplies have an efficiency of up to 90%, because a portion of the energy is lost along the conversion path. But there are models with active power factor correction (active PFC), whose efficiency reaches 98%.

The advantage of a double conversion UPS is that it switches instantly to the battery and back, there is no delay at all. This is important for equipment that is critically sensitive to the quality of the supply voltage. In addition, the frequency at the output of such a UPS is always stable, and for the consumer the power supply is not interrupted at all.

These uninterruptible power supplies provide the best quality power supply. The rated power of a double conversion UPS is measured in kilowatts. The price is appropriate.

If your city or town often experiences power surges, then a double conversion UPS is exactly what you need.

Individual selection by power

The power of the UPS is usually indicated in volt-amperes - this is full power excluding power factor. It's best to multiply this value by 0.75 to be sure, to get the value in watts or kilowatts.

For example, if you choose a UPS whose specifications say “output power 800 VA”, the operating time at full load is 5 minutes, this means that the actual load should not exceed 550-600 W, and preferably 400 W (guaranteed 50% rule). ), then you can safely count on 5 minutes - you will be able to normally shut down applications and turn off the computer.

To find out how powerful your computer is, there are a couple of options. The first is to read the specifications for the monitor, motherboard, processor, video card, hard drive etc. their meanings maximum power and proceed from the sum of these data. Or you can do it easier, especially if we are talking about your home computer.

Use it, plug the extension cord from the computer into the outlet through it, and during your normal work, pay attention to the readings. Or take the meter readings: turn off all electrical appliances and leave only the computer running. Use it for several hours after noticing the meter readings. After time has passed, look at how much the counter has wound and divide it by the number of hours. This will be the average power of your computer in working hours in kW.

Features of purchasing an uninterruptible power supply

Before buying a UPS, inquire about the warranty; at least a year warranty is required, but two years is also possible. Ask the seller how far service center and is it available in your city, what is the procedure for contacting the service center if the need suddenly arises.

Is there a way to control the computer from the UPS via USB? This is important. There are UPSs that can send a signal to turn off the computer via USB when the mains power is lost. For such UPSs, the notification or situational response function can be configured by the user. If you often leave your computer for a long time, then the function of controlling your computer from a UPS via USB is for you.

Andrey Povny