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Power failures may occur any time without warning and it has been found that you are left scurrying to save or maintain your work or the necessary devices going. When you are using uninterruptible power supply (UPS), the question that comes to mind is the actual time that the power will actually last once the lights are off. It is not a black and white kind of answer because various factors are involved. Knowledge of them may enable you to be more prepared and make sure that your equipment remain intact as long as possible.
Understanding the Key Factors Affecting UPS Runtime
How long your UPS will supply you with power will depend on some vital factors. It does not only concern the size of the unit itself.
The Amount of Load Connected
The biggest determinant is the overall load that you have inserted into the UPS. In simple terms, the more devices (or the more powerful devices) you have on to run, the shorter the battery will last. A UPS rated at 1000 VA could run a low powered modem and router several hours, but the same could only run a high power desktop and monitor a few minutes.
Battery Type and Capacity
Your UPS is driven by the internal battery. Its ability is in Ampere-hours (Ah) and as such, its storage ability is directly proportional to its capacity. The higher the Ah rating; the longer the potential run time. In addition, the type of battery chemistry, which can be lead-acid or lithium-ion, can be determined by performance, weight, and the general longevity.
How to Calculate Your UPS Backup Time
You can never be sure of when it will shut down but you can have an estimate of your UPS runtime. Manufacturers commonly include runtime graphs in the user manual that indicate anticipated run time at various load settings.
The simplest way to consider it is that the runtime is inversely related to the load. When you doubled the connected load the runtime is approximately half. As an example, say your UPS has a 300-watt load that operates for 10 minutes, then it may operate at 150 watts at about 20 minutes.
For a more technical estimate, you can use this general formula
Backup Time (in hours) = (Battery Voltage x Battery Ah x Number of Batteries x Battery Efficiency) / Load in Watts
The efficiency of the battery is about 0.8 or 80%. It is only a theoretical calculation and the results obtained might not be the same depending on the age of the battery and the health.
Tips to Extend Your UPS Battery Life and Maximize Performance
When your UPS is out, you may want to consider the following best practices to maximize it.
Manage Your Connected Load Wisely
Just attach necessary equipment to the UPS. Excessive battery power can be wasted on peripheral devices (such as printers or speakers). Maintain your essential equipment including your computer, monitor, and your network equipment so that you can maximize your runtime.
Perform Regular Maintenance
Maintained battery is better and long lasting. It is important that the UPS is stored in a cool, dry area not in direct sunlight since heat is one of the most important elements in battery degradation. The majority of UPS units do self-tests; make sure that this option is activated. Occasionally, consult with the manufacturer on how to test battery calibration, which may offer more precise predictions on the battery run time.
Understand the UPS Signals
Get to understand the alarm and the indicator lights in the UPS. A UPS usually notifies you when there is a power outage. This is your warning to save your work fast and to turn off non-critical devices to save power hence maximizing the battery life to complete the most important tasks.
Finally, there is no specific length of your UPS in a blackout. Being aware of the factors at play, estimating your individual requirement, and adhering to easy maintenance steps can help you to ensure that during the time you need your UPS the most, your data and hardware is secure against power outages that happen without any forewarning.