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August, 2021

How Much Runtime Do I Really Need?

The Importance of Staying Powered

The world of today depends heavily on technology devices to perform daily tasks, and you probably do not think too much about power until it goes out. Computers and internet are essential elements that people use for work everyday, so keeping these devices online when power outages happen is crucial. A power outage causes computers to shut down unexpectedly, which may result in data loss or hardware damage. To prevent this situation, you need to ensure your UPS provides sufficient backup time for saving data and a graceful shutdown.

Furthermore, in order to make sure a UPS is providing enough backup power for your most critical equipment, knowing your UPS runtime information is necessary. The length of UPS runtime determines the operation time during a power interruption for your connected devices, so the first thing you need to consider is how much backup power you need.

Three Steps to Understand the Runtime Requirement

Step 1
Calculate Total Load

Load refers to the total amount of watts that your devices use. Generally, the more devices you connect to a UPS, the less UPS runtime will be distributed for each, so knowing the capacity of connected devices is necessary.

Example
Step 2
Define Critical Needs

Different applications require different amounts of backup time. In real practice, some devices, like a computer, only need a couple of minutes for shutdown and data-saving; others, such as surveillance systems, may require a longer backup power to prevent incidents during a blackout.

Step 3
Consider Future Expansion

When your devices need a prolonged backup time, multiple Extended Battery Modules (EBM) can be added to achieve this. Based on your load requirement, you can decide on the quantity of EBM to connect. Moreover, other alternatives include connecting your UPS to generators or plugging devices into Emergency Power Systems (EPS) to gain a longer period of backup power.

How to Find the Right UPS Based on Needs?

Runtime Information

You can find an estimated runtime data for all UPS models on our website product page, clearly displaying the runtime available for both internal and external batteries at different load levels.

Runtime Tools

To facilitate the process of finding runtime information, our website includes a UPS runtime calculator, another tool that can help you obtain runtime data easily. You just need to simply key in a model name in the search bar to get this information.

How to Check the Actual Runtime Information?

Runtime information can also be found on the UPS LCD screen or software panel.

LCD

On UPS models that are equipped with an LCD screen, you can view the runtime from here, too.

Applied UPS Models
Software

Most of our UPS are compatible with the PowerPanel management software, which allows you to check the UPS runtime as well.

Applied UPS Models

How to Optimize UPS Runtime?

UPS runtime can differ depending on battery age, battery charge, attached loads, environment and other variables. To prevent UPS runtime from declining and to make the most of batteries, having a healthy battery is indispensable. Battery technology and regular battery maintenance are helpful in keeping your UPS runtime at an ideal operating condition.

Battery Maintenance

Being consumables, your UPS batteries will wear down with time, resulting in lesser runtime. To check your battery health, regularly performing battery tests and battery maintenance are a must.

Battery Test

By using the UPS LCD screen or the PowerPanel management software, you can perform a battery test to know the battery status within seconds. Generally, a battery test should be performed every 6-12 months or right after batteries being replaced. This way, you can not only monitor battery health, but also prevent potential issues from arising.

Battery Replacement

It is highly recommended to perform battery replacement when you notice a UPS runtime has dropped significantly or when a battery fault has happened. You can set a battery replacement date by using the PowerPanel management software to proactively receive battery replacement notifications.

Need Help with Replacing Your Batteries?

Check out Our Step-by-step Videos

Watch Video
Battery Management

With charging conditions likely affecting battery life, CyberPower advanced UPS can benefit from internal battery management technology to prolong its lifespan.

Smart Battery Management

High and low temperatures influence battery charging voltage, both possibly accelerating battery deterioration. The Smart Battery Management (SBM) technology distinguishes UPS charging cycles, providing proper temperature compensation to optimize battery lifespan.

Battery Management Technology

Being overcharged or undercharged causes difference in lifecycles for each UPS battery. Rather than all at once, you may need to frequently replace batteries individually. Our patented Battery Management Technology helps to equalize each battery’s voltage, ensuring similar lifecycle among batteries to improve overall performance.

Example
Desktop Computer
150W
Router
10W
Monitor
50W
Total Load
210W
Recommended Minimum UPS Capacity
263W

*It is recommended that the capacity of a UPS is 20-30% higher than the total wattage of its connected equipment.

**Power consumption (watts) provided above is for reference only, which may vary according to different specifications.

Example of Internal Battery Runtime Chart
Example of External Battery Runtime Chart
Runtime Disclaimer :

Runtimes based on testing fully-charged, new batteries at normal operating conditions. Runtime is approximate and varies based on battery age, level of charge at test, environment, and other variables.

Example of Internal Battery Runtime Chart
Runtime Disclaimer :

Runtimes based on testing fully-charged, new batteries at normal operating conditions. Runtime is approximate and varies based on battery age, level of charge at test, environment, and other variables.

Example of External Battery Runtime Chart

The external battery runtime information has already included the internal battery runtime of the UPS.

Runtime Disclaimer :

Runtimes based on testing fully-charged, new batteries at normal operating conditions. Runtime is approximate and varies based on battery age, level of charge at test, environment, and other variables.

UPS Systems with Battery Management Technology

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